Albany Mayor Dorothy Hubbard signs Holocaust remembrance proclamation

ALBANY — Albany Mayor Dorothy Hubbard signed a proclamation Tuesday recognizing a day of Holocaust remembrance in the city as members of the local Jewish congregation looked on.

Hubbard read the proclamation in observance of Yom Ha’Shoah, which roughly translates to “day of remembrance of the Holocaust and heroism.” Several in the local Jewish congregation said the celebration is a “Memorial Day held in honor and memory of Holocaust victims.”

More than 6 million European Jews were systematically exterminated by Nazis during World War II.

“We wanted this proclamation to serve as a reminder,” Hubbard said after the brief ceremony, held in the downtown Government Center after Tuesday’s Albany City Commission meeting. “I think it’s important that the city be a part of remembering the atrocities of the Holocaust and in restoring the dignity to those left behind in the aftermath of that horrific event.”

Rabbi Holly Cohn was one of about a dozen members of the Temple B’nai Israel congregation on hand for the ceremony.

“I think it’s significant that the city has chosen to recognize this important event on behalf of the only Jewish congregation in the city,” Cohn said. “I think it’s important that this kind of awareness be created in the community, because there are people still who aren’t aware of the Holocaust.”

Members of Temple B’nai Israel said the idea to approach city officials about a proclamation came from a Chai Mitzvah class that focuses on social justice. Class member Harris Povlot suggested the group approach the city, and Denise Etheridge researched and came up with a copy of the proclamation that hangs in the U.S. Holocaust Museum in Washington, on which the proclamation signed by Hubbard is based.

Doug and Nancy Lorber contacted local media representatives to publicize the ceremony.

“We’re excited to be a part of this remembrance for the first time in our community,” Cohn said. “It was a group effort.”