Tuesday, Israel marks its annual Holocaust Remembrance Day. This year’s theme, in honor of the 80th anniversary of the Warsaw Ghetto Uprising, is Jewish heroism and resistance in the Holocaust. Ceremonies began Monday evening, with the main ceremony at Yad Vashem beginning at 8pm. The annual March of the Living in Poland, from Auschwitz to Birkenau, begins at 3pm Tuesday, Israel time.

Today, anti-Semitism is once again rising dramatically as Israel simultaneously faces dozens of terror attacks, international pressure, existential military threats, and internal conflict. Today, on Holocaust Remembrance Day, two Jewish men were shot and injured in Jerusalem just for being Jewish. Such incidents bring home the importance of remembering the 6 million who were murdered simply for being Jewish, as well as the importance of the State of Israel.

It is important too to remember those who refused to submit to evil and to tyranny and fought back, even when it cost them their lives. This year, may “Never Again” become more than a slogan: may it be a challenge and an inspiration to us to stand up to evil and injustice and to stand for Israel, even when it might be uncomfortable.

Please pray for recognition of the Holocaust and action against anti-Semitism internationally. Please pray for the physical and spiritual wellbeing of Holocaust survivors in Israel and around the world, many of whom live in poverty. And let us honor God for His faithfulness to His covenant people! Anti-Semitism will never win; Am Yisrael Chai (The People of Israel Lives)!