Why do many people use the term Shoah when referring to the Holocaust?
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Holocaust
Smoke, oil on linen by Holocaust survivor Samuel Bak, 1997.
The term Shoah, which translates from Hebrew to "catastrophe," is frequently used as an alternative to the word "Holocaust" for several significant reasons.12
- Avoiding Religious Connotations: Many people prefer Shoah because they are uncomfortable with the religious implications of the word "Holocaust," which is derived from the Greek holokauston—a term historically used to describe a burnt sacrifice offered whole to God.13
- Specificity: Shoah is a more particular term that emphasizes the specific annihilation of the Jewish people, rather than the broader totality of all victims targeted by Nazi Germany.1
- Cultural Preference: The term is widely preferred by Hebrew speakers, as well as by many in Israel and France. Its usage in the latter was notably bolstered by the 1985 documentary Shoah directed by Claude Lanzmann.1
While "Holocaust" remains a common term to describe the systematic, state-sponsored murder of six million Jews and millions of others during World War II, Shoah serves as a distinct, secular, and historically focused alternative.13