We pause to remember as we approach Yom HaShoah. Also known as Holocaust Remembrance Day, Yom HaShoah is a solemn occasion to honor the six million Jewish lives lost in the Holocaust and to recognize the resilience of those who survived. It is a day of reflection, of grief, and—most importantly—of commitment.

At the Jewish Federation, our commitment is clear: to care for Holocaust survivors in our community, to ensure they are seen, valued, and never forgotten.

This past February, in partnership with Jewish Family Service, we delivered more than just gifts—we delivered warmth, recognition, and connection to survivors living in our community. Small, thoughtful gestures—a soft scarf, a beloved tea, a pair of cozy socks—became powerful messages of love.

One 101-year-old woman, upon unwrapping her fuzzy cat-paw socks, let out a delighted laugh. “Now I can be like my cat,” she shared through a translator. Another survivor, holding a handmade scarf, whispered, “This will keep me warm and remind me that people care.”

For those who have endured the unimaginable, we hope these moments of kindness are reminders that they are not alone. On this Yom HaShoah, we remember. And we show up. Because memory is not enough; action is what keeps the promise alive.