Yom HaShoah: A Time to Remember—and Stand Together with Courage 

IFCJ Canada  |  April 20, 2026

By Robin Van Etten 

Yom HaShoah is a solemn day of remembrance. We remember the six million Jews murdered in the Holocaust, the communities destroyed, and the families who never had the chance to rebuild. But we also remember something else that matters just as much now as it did then. 

We remember the Christians who stood with the Jewish people when it was dangerous to do so. They were a minority, but they acted with conviction. They sheltered Jewish neighbours, protected children, and refused to accept hatred as an unjust inevitability. 

Today, as Jewish communities around the world confront rising anti-Semitism and Israel is experiencing ongoing conflict, we are fortunate to see an even larger community of Christians standing with us. Their support is not just symbolic; it is essential. And it is needed now more than ever. 

In recent months, I’ve spoken with pastors, church leaders, and Christian families who have reached out with a simple message: “We are here, and we are not going anywhere.” Their commitment has allowed us to respond quickly and effectively to the humanitarian needs created by the current conflict. 

Because of this support, we have been able to help vulnerable communities across Israel by delivering food, essential supplies, and emergency aid to elderly Holocaust survivors, families displaced by violence, and children living under constant threat. These efforts are not abstract; they are tangible examples of how IFCJ Canada and its global affiliates are providing care for vulnerable communities. 

And they are possible because Christians and Jews are working together. 

Yom HaShoah is not only about remembering the past. It is about recognizing the responsibility we carry in the present. 

Anti-Semitism is rising globally and across Canada, with incidents increasingly visible in public life. We see it in vandalized synagogues, harassment in public spaces, including educational settings, and rhetoric that dehumanizes the Jewish people. These trends are not isolated. They are connected. And they demand a clear response. 

Christians have been stepping forward in meaningful ways—speaking out, building understanding, and refusing to let hatred go unanswered. Initiatives like Flags of Fellowship have helped to strengthen relationships between Christian and Jewish communities, creating visible, public expressions of solidarity and mutual respect. These efforts are critical—they send a message that hatred will not go unchallenged through community and cooperation. 

IFCJ Canada was founded on the belief that Christians and Jews can accomplish more together than either can alone. That belief has guided our work for more 20 years, and it remains just as relevant today. 

It is worth remembering that the values we all share—religious freedom, human dignity, moral responsibility—are the same values that helped shape democratic societies across North America, including Canada. And those same values are the ones that guide our partnership. 

When Christians support the Jewish people, they are not only honouring history, they are strengthening the future. 

Each year on Yom HaShoah, we honour the memory of those who were lost. But we also honour those who stood with them, even under the threat of losing everything. And we honour those who stand with us now. Their courage reminds us that even in the darkest chapters of history, there were always people who chose to do what was right. 

As Jewish communities confront fear and uncertainty, that same courage is needed again. And, once again, Christians are stepping forward. 

To every Christian who has prayed, spoken up, or supported our work: your partnership is making a real difference. It is saving lives. It is pushing back against hatred. And it is helping ensure that “never again” remains a promise we uphold—not just in memory, not just as an empty platitude, but through our actions. 

Robin Van Etten is a seasoned nonprofit professional with 25 years of experience in direct response marketing and fundraising. She is currently a board member at the International Fellowship of Christians and Jews of Canada, a leading Canadian religious charity building bridges between Christians and Jews, and providing humanitarian care and life‑saving aid to Jewish communities in Israel and around the world. In 2025, she was named a Notable Leader in Philanthropy by Crain’s Chicago Business.