Bass River ceremony honours those lost in Holocaust

The crowd gathered around a large Star of David in the Cobequid Veterans Memorial Park, Bass River on to remember those whose lives were lost in the Holocaust more than 70 years ago.

As six candles were lit to symbolize the six million Jewish lives lost, those in the crowd held smaller candles.

“Each candle is a story,” said park chairwoman Dr. Karen Ewing. “Each candle has the name of a child who was killed at Auschwitz, their age and who they’re being remembered by.”

The ceremony took place on Wednesday to honour the 73rd anniversary of the Warsaw Ghetto Uprising, the largest Jewish revolt during the Second World War. The Bass River event is one of few Holocaust remembrance services held in Canada each year.

“It’s not common but it seems needed, even if the Jewish community isn’t necessarily huge here,” said Ewing.

About 40 people attended, a typical number for the service, said Ewing.

“Usually a small group of regulars come out for the event, people who have a strong personal connection, but absolutely all are welcome,” she said.

Ewing introduced the ceremony in 2008, when she lit candles in the park after noticing a lack of local ceremonies to remember the victims.

“I was just interested in doing what needs to be done,” she said.