n Friday, January 27, 2006, the Museum observed the first "International Holocaust Remembrance Day", with special day-long programming, while Museum Director Sara J. Bloomfield spoke on a panel at the Dag Hammarskjöld Library Auditorium in UN Headquarters, as part of the UN's commemorative activities with the international diplomatic community.
The United Nations General Assembly designated January 27 as an annual, international day of remembrance, by official resolution on November 1, 2005. The resolution urges every member nation to honor the memory of Holocaust victims and encourages the development of educational programs about Holocaust history as part of the resolve to help prevent future acts of genocide.
The UN resolution rejects denial of the Holocaust, and condemns discrimination and violence based on religion or ethnicity.
In recent weeks, Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad publicly termed the Holocaust a “myth,” and called for the State of Israel to be “wiped off the map.” Coming less than two months after the UN resolution, the call for Holocaust remembrance and education by the international community could not be more urgently needed.
USHMM Director Speaks January 27
D
irector Sara Bloomfield participated in a panel discussion entitled Holocaust Education and the UN: Beyond Commemoration and Onto Implementation at the Dag Hammarskjöld Library Auditorium in UN Headquarters, as part of the UN's commemorative activities with the international diplomatic community. Other members of the panel included Dan Mariaschin (Executive Vice President, B'nai B'rith International), Dr. Hans-Jurgen Heimsoeth (Consul-General of Germany), and Rhonda Love (Director of Programs, B'nai B'rith International).
T
o commemorate the first International Holocaust Remembrance Day, the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum offered visitors the following resources and programs...
Friday, January 27
10:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m
Outside Wexner Learning Center Echoes of Memory, book signing with Holocaust survivors
As part of the Museum’s initiative to collect and preserve survivors’ memories, the Museum’s survivor volunteers have been writing over the past three years, recounting life before, during and after the war. This effort – the Museum’s Memory Project – has led to the publication of two volumes of their work. Echoes of Memory, Volume 3, contains eloquent first-person accounts of individual, Holocaust experiences.
Noon
Hall of Remembrance Moment of Silence observed with Holocaust survivor Martin Weiss
1:00–2:00 p.m.
Rubinstein Auditorium
Reservations and tickets are not required. Voices of Auschwitz
This program included conversations with Auschwitz survivors Fannie Aisenberg, Agi Geva, and Helen Goldkind. Historian Edna Friedberg moderated the hour-long program which was conducted as a live interview with an opportunity for audience participation.
W
e invite you to share your thoughts about the meaning of the Museum experience and Holocaust history in your life, and learn more about the importance of this commemoration:
Write a comment in the Museum’s Comment Book, just outside the exit of the Permanent Exhibition (2nd Floor)
Record video comments in the Wexner Learning Center
Light a candle at home and share your reflections online in the comment area above.
Reflect | write
O
n January 27 we marked the occasion with a moment of silence in the Museum. Join us in observing this historic day by lighting a candle at home and sharing your reflection below. Or, just add your name to show your support for international recognition of the day.
DISCLAIMER: The assertions, opinions, and conclusions expressed in the messages of this discussion are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect those of the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum.
By contributing your comments you agree that the UNITED STATES HOLOCAUST MEMORIAL MUSEUM may make use of them for educational, research, and Museum purposes, including publication. A selection of comments may be posted on our Web site at the discretion of Museum staff after review. Please see our privacy policy.
he UN resolution rejects denial of the Holocaust, and condemns discrimination and violence based on religion or ethnicity. Read the resolution and delegate statements. Yehuda Bauer addressed the General Assembly on International Holocaust Remembrance Day and the program was Web cast on the UN Web site. Please see the UN Holocaust remembrance site.
remember | around the world
POLAND, Auschwitz
Candles mark the railway tracks leading to the Auschwitz camp. January 27, 2005. — Reuters
This listing of news stories and other articles is provided to promote discussion of the history of Auschwitz and the commemoration of the camp's liberation. The opinions expressed within these articles are solely those of the authors. Inclusion within the listing does not represent endorsement by the USHMM.
Photo: Memorial at the site of the Belzec killing center, June 2004.
Music: Composed by John Charles, performed by members of the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra, David Fraser, conductor.
