Photo by Joselyn King Bishop Mark Brennan of the Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston speaks during the Yom HaShoah or Holocaust memorial service Monday night at the Temple Shalom in Wheeling. Lighting the candles behind him is Travis Hoard.

WHEELING — Temple Shalom hosted its annual service Monday to remember the horrors of the Holocaust, but those in attendance noted there are “fewer and fewer” family members of victims left to share their stories.

The temple commemorated the 83rd anniversary of Yom HaShoah, or Holocaust Remembrance Day, with a special service inviting community members to tell the stories of those they knew who were victims of Nazi atrocities.

One by one, attendees stood to speak of fathers, uncles, neighbors or colleagues who were killed during the Holocaust, survived the violence or fought against it.

“It is important to remember Jews were not the only target of the Nazis,” Lief said. “The Jews were the most obvious target, but the Nazis went after all of their perceived ‘lesser peoples.’ They rounded them up and murdered them all with incredible state-sponsored efficiency. They murdered everyone with whom they disagreed and wished to cast blame for their troubles.”

He said those actions were evil and warned against rhetoric that casts political opponents as enemies or suggests certain groups “should be rounded up and gotten rid of.”

“I think unfortunately it does not appear that we have learned much in the decades that followed,” he said. “People are still violent and still discriminatory. They like to blame others for their problems and see the world as us versus them instead of a world where all of us are ‘us.'”

Lief added that failing to find peace with others leaves society vulnerable to continued violence and division.

“It’s a shame that despite the horrific nature of the Holocaust, humanity as a whole hasn’t seemed to internalize that lesson just yet,” he said. “As every year passes, and there are fewer and fewer people who were viscerally present, it is very easy for that lesson to be lost.”

The service began with unlit votive candles arranged in the shape of a Star of David on the altar.

Those with family members killed during the Holocaust came forward to share their stories before lighting a candle. Others followed, honoring those who fought against the Nazis or helped liberate concentration camps.

About a dozen people lit candles, including Lief, who honored his grandfather, Jud Druck, a member of General George Patton’s command staff who assisted in liberating concentration camps.

Bishop Mark Brennan of the Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston lit a candle for a former colleague, and Wheeling Mayor Denny Magruder lit one in memory of a friend.

Elissa Gross spoke about her father, a Holocaust survivor, and noted the number of participants has declined over the years.

“It’s important we don’t forget,” she said. “It is important that we maintain the light of the candle for future generations.”