International Holocaust Remembrance Day – A Call for Vigilance and Education

The United Nations recognized the importance of preserving the memory of the Holocaust when it designated January 27 as a day for global reflection. While the memory is important in itself, it would be meaningless if we do not use the lessons of history to educate future generations. Lessons of the terrible consequences that create a society that accepts and even encourages anti-Semitism, racism and hatred.

In Israel, the Holocaust is not relegated to history books; it is a living memory, a national trauma that underscores the essence of the phrase "NEVER AGAIN." The Holocaust decimated a third of the world's Jewish population, leaving wounds that have not yet healed. Even today, eight decades later, there are fewer Jews in the world than there were in 1939. The establishment of the State of Israel was, in part, a response to the need for a safe and secure home for the Jewish people.

I, personally, am a daughter of a Holocaust survivor. My grandmother was murdered in Auschwitz by the Nazis. The horrors of the Holocaust were not confined to the past; in a way, they shaped my life, as well as continue to influence the collective consciousness of Israel.

In Asia on the other hand, the Holocaust seems distant in both time and space, lacking the direct impact it had on the Western world. This makes the challenge of teaching and learning from these events more complex, especially in a way that resonates with young adults who did not experience it firsthand.

Yet, as we reflect on the Holocaust, we must also confront the stark reality of the present. The brutal attack by Hamas on Israeli citizens on October 7 serves as a painful reminder that hatred, intolerance and violence persist in our world. More than 1,200 people were brutally murdered, thousands were injured, and countless families were shattered. Innocent Israelis, Thais and many other nationalities, were butchered and brutalized, for no good reason other than twisted hatred. The parallels between the deliberate violence of Hamas and the atrocities of the Holocaust are chilling.

And as side note, speaking of NEVER AGAIN, I would like to mention 91-year-old Moshe Reidler who survived the Holocaust as a child in Romania, only to be murdered by Hamas in Israel 80 years later. I also want to mention that as of today 1,894 Holocaust survivors were evacuated from their homes near the southern and northern borders, and are again refugees, only this time, they are refugees in their own country.

The question that echoes in our minds is a haunting one: Have we not learned anything from history? As we examine the evidence of premeditated and planned violence, including guidebooks instructing terrorists to commit heinous acts, we are compelled to confront the dark truth that education can be perverted to propagate hatred and violence.

The link between education and the prevention of atrocities is undeniable. Terror organizations like Hamas exploit their education systems to cultivate hatred and indoctrinate young minds. This year, on the International Holocaust Remembrance Day, we must reaffirm our commitment to robust, unbiased education that fosters understanding, tolerance, and peace instead of hatred, racism and discrimination.

As we light candles to honor the victims of past tragedies, let us also acknowledge our shared responsibility for the present and the future. It is incumbent upon us to educate the youth, instilling values that counteract hatred and violence. The call to action is clear: We must work tirelessly to ensure that the horrors of the Holocaust and recent events like the Hamas attack remain confined to history.

On this International Holocaust Remembrance Day, let us unite, all around the world, in our commitment to education, understanding, and peace. Only through collective vigilance and a steadfast commitment to learning from the past can we hope to shape a future free from the shackles of hatred and violence. Together, let us ensure that the pledge of "NEVER AGAIN" reverberates through generations, serving as a beacon of hope for a world united against intolerance and brutality.