Yom Hashoah is observed annually. A key element of every year's commemoration is the program, "Unto Every Person, There is a Name", in which participants read the names of victims, along with where they were born and where they died. BBI is the North American sponsor of this Yad Vashem program.

Philadelphia  

At Temple University, BBI joined with AEPi, the Temple Student Government, Hillel of Philadelphia, and Chabad in co-sponsoring a panel discussion, where students had the opportunity to hear eyewitness accounts from both survivors and liberators. Later, using BBI provided "Unto" materials, AEPi organized a daylong vigil with students reading names and lighting candles.

At another City of Brotherly Love commemoration, BBI's Liberty Region held its observance at Rodeph Shalom Synagogue.

Detroit 

In Farmington Hills, Mich., the Einstein and Great Lakes Regions lodges co-sponsored the Yom Hashoah program at the Zekelman Family Holocaust Memorial Center. A crowd of approximately 600 turned out for the event, which was held prior to a community-wide observance.

Chicago 

In the Lakeview neighborhood of Chicago, synagogues came together for a community memorial ceremony that incorporated BBI's "Unto" program and also included a lecture from the child of a Holocaust survivor.

Choosing Life 

BBI's involvement in the program is made possible through a generous donation in the name of Kurt and Tessye Simon. An international committee at the B'nai B'rith World Center in Jerusalem helps prepare thematic information for Jewish communities around the world.

This year's observance recognizes Israel's 60^th anniversary with the theme: "They Chose Life: the Contribution of Survivors to the State of Israel."