‘Every Person Has A Name’ Vigil Returning to City Hall

The Jewish Federation and the city will hold a 25-hour Holocaust commemoration ceremony and vigil to mark International Holocaust Remembrance Day on the steps at City Hall.

At 7 p.m. on Saturday, January 22 through 8 p.m. on Sunday, January 23, the Jewish Federation of the Greater San Gabriel and Pomona Valleys, in partnership with the City of Pasadena, will be holding its annual Every Person Has a Name, a 25-hour Holocaust vigil.

As part of the vigil, the names of people who perished during the Holocaust will be read.

Holocaust survivors and children of Holocaust survivors from around the community will begin by reading the names of their family members who were murdered during the Holocaust, and then will be followed by volunteers from throughout the community reading names.

“By bringing the community together, we remember that each person that was killed during the Holocaust was someone who lived and whose life was cut short. And by Jewish Federation’s saying their names out loud… they are remembered,” explains Jason Moss, Jewish Federation’s Executive Director.

“An event like this, especially with the significant rise of hatred and antisemitism as of late, including the antisemitic incidents in Pasadena, Beverly Hills and Santa Monica, serves as a reminder for all of us of what can happen when hatred goes unchecked.”

The program will begin with a commemoration ceremony at 7:00 p.m. and it will feature speeches from elected officials, including Mayor Victor Gordo, Congresswoman Judy Chu, State Senator Anthony Portantino, representatives from LA County Supervisor Kathryn Barger and Assemblymember Chris Holden’s office, local clergy, as well as a performance by the Jewish Federation’s Jewish Youth Orchestra.

The event is open to the public and can be viewed online at:

www.facebook.com/jewishsgpv

There are still a few timeslots for additional name-reading volunteers between 2:00 am – 6:00 a.m. People can sign up by visiting the Jewish Federation’s website at www.jewishsgpv.org or by calling (626) 445-0810.

For more information about this event, please contact the Jewish Federation by sending an email to federation@jewishsgpv.org.