In 2022, on the day the designate by the UN as International Holocaust Remembrance Day, New York State launched "New York State Lights Up” — a way of remembering the six million lives lost in the attempted annihilation of the Jewish people more than half a century ago. 

Held annually on January 27, International Holocaust Remembrance Day marks the 79th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau, the largest Nazi concentration camp. 

In keeping with International Holocaust Remembrance Day, The Yellow Lights, program was launched in New York two years ago to honor those murdered during this dark period in history, by asking that yellow lights illuminate local landmarks. Yellow is the color of the armbands European Jews were forced to wear so that they could be quick identified as Jewish. It is also the color that evokes the yahrzeit (memorial) candles lit in remembrance of the Holocaust’s six million Jewish victims.

This year, New York State’s prominent buildings that will be illuminated by yellow lights, include: the Empire State Building, one World Trade Center, Niagara Falls, Penn Station, Grand Central station, airport terminals and several other prominent buildings throughout New York State

Now, Connecticut is joining the effort to ensure that the lives of the Holocaust’s six million Jewish victim are never forgotten. First, Governor Ned Lamont has added a Connecticut location to the mix: The Travelers in Hartford. In addition, the City of New Haven will join the Yellow Light effort by lighting in yellow more than 10 of the city’s landmarks.

For more info, visit yellow light.info; or contact Doris Zelinksy at doris.zelinsky@gmail.com

2023 NEW HAVEN LOCATIONS:

•The Towers @ Tower Lane

•Union Station 

•Temple St Garage

•Slifka @ Yale

•205 Church

•Branford Town Hall

•Blackstone (Branford Library)

•New Haven City Hall 

•The Fusco Bldg. (Long Wharf)

•Canal Dock

•Ct Financial Center (157 Church)

•Or Shalom Synagogue

•Guilford Town Hall

•Orange Town Hall