Jewish and Christian community representatives gathered at the historic Montreal Church of the Gésu on April 27 for the 46th Christian commemoration of the Shoah.

Hosted by the Christian Jewish Dialogue of Montreal (CJDM), more than 50 people were welcomed by Jesuit Father André Gagnon and Rabbi Adam Rubin of Temple Shaare Zion Beth-El.

The service of song, prayer and candle-lighting, organized to mark Holocaust Memorial Day (April 23), had the theme of “Passing the Torch.” 

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Rivka Augenfeld, daughter of Holocaust survivor Liba Augenfeld, gave a testimony of her mother’s experience and the importance of both “spiritual resistance” and civic engagement.

Liba was a forced resident of the Vilnius Ghetto, established by the Germans in 1941 after they invaded Lithuania. She was also a member of the Lithuanian Jewish resistance, the United Partisan Organization. 

“The bravery that it took to organize all the activities was enormous,” said Augenfeld. “Everything from the concerts held in defiance of the Nazis to hiding people under the pain of death. We are still learning new stories about this aspect of resistance in many parts of Europe.”

Founded in 1971 by then Montreal Archbishop Paul Gregoire, Fr. Stephane Valiquette of the Ecumenism Centre and Rabbi Allan Lagner, then president of Jewish Ministers of Montreal, CJDM promotes “good relations between Christians and Jews.” 

The first CJDM Christian Commemoration of the Shoah was held in 1980 at Christ Church Anglican Cathedral. The event is hosted annually by different Christian churches in the city. At one time, the memorial was a much bigger event, drawing hundreds of participants. However, following the Oct. 7, 2023, Hamas attack on Israel, the political climate in Quebec, and resultant security concerns, have had a dampening effect on attendance.

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The Archdiocese of Montreal has several representatives active in CJDM, including Jean Duhaime and Frank Lofeodo.

Lofeodo is the former coordinator of the Spiritual and Community Animation Service at the Montreal English School Board. With his background in education, Lofeodo is particularly concerned to “pass the torch” to young people. It is a difficult task, he told The Catholic Register.

“A lot of young people, they know nothing of the Holocaust. It’s difficult for us to take an initiative in education given the political situation within the province, but these kinds of ceremonies and education are the key.”

In 2025, there are around 200,000 Holocaust survivors still alive globally; it is estimated that 70 per cent will be gone within the next 10 years. 

To help young people, Lofeodo says, “we need to meet them where they are, educate them as best we can, given the circumstances. The important thing is not to stop, to not lose hope and give up.”

Gagnon, Augenfeld, Rubin and others lit a memorial candle as part of the service. The lighting of candles is a central feature of Holocaust Memorial ceremonies held around the world.

“The flame is a symbol of hope and light, and the future as expressed by the eternal flame, the ner tmaid, that burns in every synagogue — and many churches — all around the world,” said Rubin.

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Prayers were offered, including for “all the victims of genocides that still afflict our world.”

At the conclusion of the ceremony, the “Mourner’s Kaddish” was recited. The program instructed that the “Kaddish makes no mention of death: we say Kaddish to show that despite our losses, we can still praise God.”