The ABS Honors International Holocaust Remembrance Day
Jan. 27, 2023
Today, Friday, January 27, 2023, the ABS remembers the victims of the Holocaust and honors the survivors on International Holocaust Remembrance Day. This day commemorates the liberation by Soviet Troops of the notorious Auschwitz-Birkenau concentration camp, where Nazis carried out their "Final Solution" to annihilate the Jewish people of Europe, and honors the 6+ million Jews, Poles, Roma, LGBTQIA+ individuals, persons with disabilities, members of religious groups, and political dissidents who were murdered by Nazis during the Holocaust.
Although the Holocaust decimated an entire population of innocent people, the disturbing rise in antisemitism, Holocaust distortion and denial, xenophobia, neo-Nazism, nationalism, anti-Jewish violence, dehumanization of Jewish people, trivializing of Jewish trauma, intolerance, and off-color jokes and microaggressions directed towards Jewish people, shows that anti-Jewish sentiment and hatred have become normalized in our public discourse, often amplified in online echo chambers of hate.
"As these manifestations of hate persist and grow across our country, it's incumbent upon all of us to take a stand against hate, commit to uphold the human rights and dignity of all, and show support for our Jewish friends, colleagues, and community members," said ABS President and CEO Dr. Jo Buyske.
ABS Chief Diversity Equity and Inclusion Officer Ada Okafor added, "the antidote to all this hate is education, empathy and engagement."
Education
Education plays a fundamental role in understanding and confronting violent pasts while at the same time developing our knowledge and values in order to prevent future atrocities.
- You can head to your local library or museum to learn about the Holocaust. Weitzman National Museum of American Jewish History | United States Holocaust Memorial Museum
- You can also watch documentaries, videos and short films online about the Holocaust.
- If you have kids, help them to develop knowledge about the Holocaust and enhance their awareness of genocide and war, which can help raise the next generation of compassionate leaders.
Empathy
Listening to Holocaust survivors share their lived experiences and remarkable testimonies can help us cultivate empathy and compassion so that atrocities like the Holocaust never happen again.
- Watch Irene Weiss, a survivor of Auschwitz, live on Friday January 27 at 9:30 a.m. EST as she shares the story of the day her family was torn apart.
- Listen and watch pre-recorded conversations of other Holocaust survivors.
Engagement
There are many ways to observe Holocaust Remembrance Day and engage with the Jewish Community.
- Check out the Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia for ideas.
- Visit, and consider making a donation to, the Horwitz-Wasserman Holocaust Memorial Plaza at 16th and the Benjamin Franklin Parkway.
- Join the Jewish Community Relations Council for an important conversation about Holocaust remembrance led by Holocaust Educator Adi Rabinowitz Bedein. This conversation will take place via Zoom on January 27 from 12-1:30 p.m. EST. (Register here)
- Celebrate Shabbat with a memorable night of connection and delicious food with Jewish leaders from Tribe12 and Grad Network. This event will take place on January 27 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. EST at the Weitzman National Museum of American Jewish History. For more information about this event, you may contact Susan Becker.
- Share your reflections about International Holocaust Remembrance Day on social media using #HolocaustRemembranceDay
At the ABS, we will gather virtually during the work day and hold a moment of silence for 6 minutes to honor the 6+ million victims murdered during the Holocaust, and to honor the survivors living in our communities.
