Yad Vashem: the story behind Israel’s Holocaust Memorial

Perched on the western slope of Mount Herzl in Jerusalem, Yad Vashem stands as Israel’s official memorial to the victims of the Holocaust - six million Jews murdered by the Nazis and their collaborators during World War II. But Yad Vashem is much more than a museum or a monument. It is a living institution dedicated to remembrance, education, and the ongoing fight against antisemitism and Holocaust denial.

Yad Vashem Holocaust Memorial.

The meaning of the name

The name “Yad Vashem” comes from a verse in the Book of Isaiah (56:5):“And to them will I give in my house and within my walls a memorial and a name (Yad Vashem)... that shall not be cut off.”

This phrase captures the essence of the institution’s mission: to give each victim a name, a voice, and a place in collective memory.

The origins of Yad Vashem

The idea of creating a Holocaust memorial in Israel was first proposed during the Holocaust itself, in 1942, as reports of Nazi atrocities reached the Jewish community in Mandatory Palestine. But it was only after the war, in 1953, that the Knesset (Israel’s parliament) passed the Yad Vashem Law, officially establishing the Holocaust Martyrs' and Heroes' Remembrance Authority.

From the beginning, Yad Vashem’s dual mission was clear:

1. To commemorate the victims of the Shoah (Holocaust).

2. To honor those who resisted the Nazis and those who risked their lives to save Jews.

What can you find at Yad Vashem?

Today, Yad Vashem covers a vast 45-acre complex and includes:

• The Holocaust History Museum: A powerful architectural and emotional journey through personal stories, historical documents, photos, and survivor testimonies.

• The Hall of Names: A haunting circular room where shelves of binders record the names of millions of Holocaust victims. A ceiling installation of portraits looms above a reflective pool.

• The Children’s Memorial: A dark, candle-lit space filled with reflections and voices of children who were killed during the Holocaust.

• The Valley of the Communities: A symbolic canyon with names of over 5,000 Jewish communities destroyed or affected by the Holocaust.

• The Righteous Among the Nations Garden: A tribute to non-Jews who risked their lives to save Jews during the Holocaust.

Yad Vashem also hosts a vast archive, an educational center, an international school for Holocaust studies, and various academic research programs. It cooperates with institutions around the world to promote Holocaust education and remembrance.

A global and local legacy

While Yad Vashem is located in Israel, its reach is global. The stories it tells connect Jewish communities from Europe, North Africa, and the Middle East. It also recognizes that the Holocaust is not just a Jewish tragedy but a human one - an event that challenges the conscience of humanity.

For Israelis, Yad Vashem is a national site of mourning and reflection. School groups, soldiers, and visiting world leaders walk through its halls to understand the depth of what was lost - and what was rebuilt. Every year on Yom HaShoah, Israel’s Holocaust Remembrance Day, a national ceremony is held at Yad Vashem, and a two-minute siren brings the country to a standstill.

Why it matters

In a world where antisemitism still exists, and where historical revisionism continues to spread online and offline, Yad Vashem is not just about remembering the past - it’s about shaping the future. It reminds us of what can happen when hatred is left unchecked, and it challenges us to be witnesses, educators, and defenders of truth.