Holocaust Memorial Park, at the edge of Sheepshead Bay, was the city's first public Holocaust memorial, its field of granite steles inscribed with names and histories contributed by Brooklyn families. The annual meeting is the park's central act of remembrance — readings, prayers and testimony in a community shaped by survivors and Soviet-Jewish emigres. Attending is a quiet, meaningful way to witness living memory rather than just visit a monument.
What to expect
A dignified outdoor program of speakers, prayers and candle-lighting lasting a couple of hours, followed by time to walk among the memorial markers. Dress and demeanor are respectful; all are welcome.
Good to know
- The park sits at Emmons Ave and West End Ave on Sheepshead Bay
- B/Q trains to Sheepshead Bay Rd, then a ten-minute walk along the bay
- Free and open to the public; it is a solemn commemorative event
- Seating is limited — standing room along the paths is normal
- The engraved markers reward time before or after the program
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Common questions
Is the gathering open to anyone?
Yes — it's a public community remembrance, and respectful visitors of all backgrounds are welcome.
What is Holocaust Memorial Park?
New York City's first public Holocaust memorial: an eternal-flame sculpture surrounded by hundreds of engraved granite markers on Sheepshead Bay.
