Alvin Weisberg of Liberty was among the families and relatives of Holocaust survivors and those who perished who lit candles Sunday at the Yom HaShoah Memorial ceremony at the Jewish Community Center.

YOUNGSTOWN — Candles brightened a room Sunday afternoon as families of Holocaust survivors — as well as those who were lost — gathered to share memories and pay tribute to loved ones.

The Holocaust remembrance took place Sunday at the Jewish Community Center and was hosted by the Jewish Community Relations Council of the Youngstown Area Jewish Federation. It included candle lighting, readings and guest speakers.

Relatives of Holocaust survivors took turns lighting candles for their loved ones.

Bonnie Burdman, director of community relations and government affairs at the Youngstown Area Jewish Federation, said the Yom HaShoah Memorial ceremony honors the memory of the 6 million Jewish people who died during the Holocaust as well as the survivors.

Burdman said the remembrance was stretched over a week, with Holocaust Remembrance Day on Thursday, which included recognition of local students for submitting essays, multimedia and artwork to remember the Holocaust.

Martin Cohen of Warren said he lit a candle in memory of his father, Mickey Cohen, and for others to remember what happened during the Holocaust.

“I light this candle today in remembrance of my father and his family, including my grandparents,” Cohen said.

Howard Honigman of Chagrin Falls said his parents, who recently died, were Holocaust survivors.

“Both of my parents’ families were wiped out during the Holocaust. This day means making sure people do not forget because this is something that needs to be remembered and not repeated,” Honigman said.

Robert Rawl of Liberty said his father, Lawrence Rawl, was a survivor but other relatives were victims of the Nazi genocide.

Alvin Weisberg of Liberty said it is important to remember those who did not survive every single day.

Rabbi Joseph Schonberger of Temple El Emeth in Liberty said, “We gather today to not just remember, but to observe Yom HaShoah not only as a memoriam, but to reinforce loyalty and love to precious souls who suffered beyond comprehension.”

He said antisemitism is growing at alarming rates today and diminishing of the Jewish heritage continues.

“Today, to the best of our ability, we resolve to face evil and strengthen our heritage and faith. Never forget our survivors and those who came before, their legacy and the examples and wisdom they leave to us,” Schonberger said.

“Today we remember things so difficult to contemplate, such as death and mass murder of 6 million of our brothers and sisters, young and old alike,” said Barry Wagner, one of the readers.

Speaking via Zoom from Israel was Aryeh Barmea, who is an educator, lecturer and scholar with the National Israeli Survivor 2G Support Center. He said he works to help survivors and their families throughout Israel and tells of the rescue efforts.

Jesse McClain, a Holocaust federation specialist, said the Holocaust Resource Center has an extensive collection of resources on the survivors, noting many of their stories have been recorded and digitized.

He said remembrance and education are so important today and are “why programs like this are so critical.”