Yom HaShoah (Holocaust Remembrance Day)

Join the San Diego Community College District in commemorating the survivors and lives lost during the Holocaust with special guests Robert Hicks and Sandra Scheller, and learn about the importance of understanding Antisemitism in our society today.

Yom HaShoah, also known as Holocaust Remembrance Day, occurs on the 27th of the Hebrew month of Nisan, which takes place this year during sunset on April 17 to nightfall on April 18. Shoah, which means “catastrophe” or “utter destruction” in Hebrew, refers to the atrocities that were committed against the Jewish people and other persecuted groups including Jehovah’s Witness, Roma, homosexuals, Roman Catholics, Poles, Soviets, and people with disabilities during World War II. This is a memorial day for those who died during the Shoah. The Holocaust was the largest manifestation of antisemitism in recent history. Yom HaShoah reminds us of the horrors that Jews and other persecuted groups faced: forced labor, starvation, humiliation, torture, and extermination. It was a systematic effort to wipe out an entire population from the face of the earth as 6 million Jews and millions of others were annihilated during the Holocaust. Many commemorate Yom HaShoah to keep alive the memories of the victims.

Light refreshments and snacks will be served.

Parking is reserved for all attendees at Lot 10. Please see map to locate the parking lot and MC building at San Diego Mesa College.

Our Speakers

Rob Hicks has been serving as Assistant Regional Director for ADL San Diego since August 2021 and oversees policy and advocacy, community engagement, and ADL's emerging leadership program. Prior to that, he interned with ADL's Washington, D.C. office. Rob's other professional experience includes work in political campaigns, private sector sales, and nonprofit development. He is originally from Toms River, New Jersey and earned a BA in Political Science from The College of New Jersey in 2019. He moved to the San Diego area to pursue work with ADL and has lived in La Mesa, CA since October 2021. He is happy and proud to now call San Diego home!

Sandra Scheller is the daughter of Holocaust survivors Ruth and Kurt Sax. She grew up in the South Bay of San Diego and received her BA from San Diego State University. She is the creator and curator of RUTH Remember Us The Holocaust, a Holocaust exhibit that will open May 21 at the Rancho San Diego Library, author of Try To Remember Never Forget, creator of Art From The Holocaust at ComicCon INC, USC Shoah Foundation interviewer, TedX speaker “ Keeping Memories Alive”, Holocaust educator for US Navy/ Army/US Defense/US Borders Customs/ICE. Sandra’s Holocaust work has been recognized around the world. She is a board member of the Amargosa Opera House in Death Valley, museum curator/artistic director. This year Sandra will receive the Honorary Degree from Southwestern College and is the representative for Holocaust education/awareness for the 78th Assembly district for Chris Ward.

" My mother's greatest revenge against Hitler was having children and grandchildren. “ Hineni!

Host or Publisher San Diego Community College District