Testimonies

* We would be pleased to include your testimonies and related stories on this page. Please email your submissions to info@onemorecandle.org.

* “Winnipeg and Congregation Shaarey Zedek are honoured to be furthering the progress of the One More Candle program. The program seeks to memorialize the million and a half children that were victims in the Holocaust. We memorialize one child at a time through a very simple ritual in which we light a candle and we say the Mourner’s Kaddish on the yahrtzeit, the anniversary, of the death of the child. Knowing their name, reciting the Kaddish, lighting the light, is a way of uplifting the soul of the child victim and also uplifting our own souls. So this worthy program is actually a spiritual technique, one that one can practice for ethical reasons, for the reasons of history, but also for the reasons of healing the great wound that was inflicted on humanity through the horror of the Holocaust and so hopefully this is a way that we can all participate in a very simple way in the general process of healing the world, uplifting the world, and preventing future tragedies from occurring again.”
– Rabbi Alan Green (Emeritus), Congregation Shaarey Zedek

* “When the One More Candle project was introduced to our synagogue, it really resonated very personally with me. My mother was a Holocaust survivor. She and her mother survived a number of different camps. My father also had family in the Holocaust. His parents and a couple of siblings survived, but many of his siblings were killed in the Holocaust. When I found out that a million and a half children were murdered in the Holocaust and did not survive, I thought this project really was a very important one for us to look at. I immediately took on a name that I will say Kaddish for in perpetuity and I think it’s extremely important that we as our generation and future generations continue to do that. Many of our congregants have done the same – they’ve taken a name and make sure that the name will be remembered while they’re still here and not forgotten. So it’s a project that I think has really become a very important one in our community and our synagogue as well and we hope that it continues for many, many years to come.”
– Bill Weissman, Shammes, Lay Clergy, Congregation Shaarey Zedek

* “When I first heard about One More Candle and their mission to honour the memory of each child whose life was stolen during the Holocaust I was deeply moved. 1.5 million children. It is such a staggering number, an inconceivable loss. Each individual, each life and loss is worthy of our attention, each name, each life, worthy of remembering. The word Zachor, the verb to remember is written over 200 times in the Torah. The devastating reality is that entire communities, families, lives and traditions were destroyed during the Shoah, some even erased entirely. It is our obligation and our honour as those living today to remember those losses, preserve what is left behind and carry the memory of what remains into the future with us. The act of remembering is important not only to preserve the past, but also to give the voiceless a voice once more and help in healing the past. I am grateful to know that you will be remembering those who walked before you. Thank you for remembering, thank you for saying the Mourners Kaddish for those who have none to say it for them. If you find the journey difficult at times, it is completely natural. The truths you will face are difficult to bear witness to. There are many prayers said traditionally in the morning by our ancestors and if you feel weary, here is one to help you on your way. Baruch Ata Adonai Eloheinu Melech Ha-Olam HaNoten LaYaef Koach – Praised are you Adonai our G-d, ruler of the universe, who gives strength to the weary. I wish you a safe and meaningful journey. Let’s remember together and bring the memories of those whose lives were lost during the Shoah along with us into the future. Shalom.

– Cantor Leslie Emery, Congregation Shaarey Zedek

* “Cheryl and I have been lifelong supporters of the need to remember the horrific lessons of the past, in order to change the present, and to bring awareness and understanding to generations yet to come.

One More Candle provided a perfect opportunity for us, through the simple act of “adopting” the memory of a child, slaughtered through hubris and pure human evil, to stand up against mindless racially inflicted hatred.

We have found our commitment to Norbert Balon (z”l), whose life was taken from him at 9 years old, personally rewarding. By remembering our OMC child we are reminded of all the potential, horrifically destroyed, by the heinous murders of 1.5 million children.

B’nai Brith and One More Candle work daily to make this world a safe place for all children and mankind.”
– Earl and Cheryl Barish Avid Supporters of OMC

* “I was so pleased to support this project. When given Tibi’s name it was B’shert! There is a possibility that my grandfather’s last name may have been the same as our One More Candle child. Tibi will no longer be forgotten. I will always say Kaddish for him.”
– Louise, Shaarey Zedek Sisterhood

* “I just attended a Shabbat Service at Shaarey Zedek and said Kaddish for Sofya. It was very moving to hear her name read by the Rabbi. Thank you for introducing me to her. B’Shalom. ” 
– Marah, Shaarey Zedek Synagogue congregant

* “OMC is a wonderful organization, offering a beautiful opportunity to connect the hearts of the living with those lost in the Shoah.” 
– Tom Dugan – playwright Wiesenthal