International Holocaust Remembrance
January 27, 2022
We Remember: Learn from the Past to Protect the Future January 27, 2022 International Holocaust Remembrance Day
International Holocaust Remembrance Day on January 27 commemorates the victims of the Holocaust, and the genocide of European Jews by Nazi Germany between 1941 and 1945.
January 27, 2022, marks 77 years since the Allied troops arrived at the gates of Auschwitz. The Holocaust -- the murder of 6 million Jews by the Nazis and their collaborators -- did not occur in a vacuum. It was the product of unchecked hatred and collective silence.
The Holocaust continues to impact the Jewish people today as antisemitism is at the highest rate today since Nazi Germany in the 1930's. Learning about The Holocaust and commemorating the victims and survivors illustrates the importance of remembering this tragic chapter in human history so that we can ensure that it never happens again.
It is a day of collective reflection and remembrance
How can you support the #We Remember campaign?
The #WeRemember Campaign started several years ago, asking the public to carry out a simple, yet meaningful task: Write the words “We Remember” on a sheet of paper, take a picture holding the sign, and post it to social media using the hashtag #WeRemember.
Despite the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, the campaign continued t capture the public’s attention, through institutionalizing the use of the hashtag, as well as other avenues. Contributions submitted to social media on January 27th will be posted on a screen at Auschwitz Birkenau (see attached a picture of an example produced by a student at Merivale High School)
Now, more than ever, we must join together to protect the future by remembering the past.
You can make a significant difference through a simple task that can be done virtually: Ask your students to create posters using the hashtag #We Remember and take a picture of the students holding the signs or a screenshot. Then post the Picture/screenshot to social media.
Student Public Speaking Competition
Each year, Friends of Simon Wiesenthal Center for Holocaust Studies offers a public speaking competition for students in grades 6-12.
While their office is located in Toronto, the pandemic has allowed them to move to the virtual space and open this program up across Canada. Last year they received entries from six different Canadian provinces and territories.
You can view last year’s program by CLICKING HERE. Here is the flyer for the program:
‘We Remember Them’ by Sylvan Kamens & Rabbi Jack Riemer
At the rising sun and at its going down; We remember them.At the blowing of the wind and in the chill of winter; We remember them.
At the opening of the buds and in the rebirth of spring; We remember them.
At the blueness of the skies and in the warmth of summer; We remember them.
At the rustling of the leaves and in the beauty of the autumn; We remember them.
At the beginning of the year and when it ends; We remember them.
As long as we live, they too will live, for they are now a part of us as We remember them.
When we are weary and in need of strength; We remember them.
When we are lost and sick at heart; We remember them.
When we have decisions that are difficult to make; We remember them.
When we have joy we crave to share; We remember them.
When we have achievements that are based on theirs; We remember them.
For as long as we live, they too will live, for they are now a part of us as, We remember them.
Resources/Websites/Workshops for Holocaust Education
From: The Centre for Holocaust Education and Scholarship
"The Holocaust calls into question our most basic assumptions about human nature, modern society, social responsibility, and global citizenship. The study of the Holocaust assists students in developing an understanding of the ramifications of prejudice, racism and stereotyping in any society. It helps students develop an awareness of the value of pluralism, and encourages tolerance of diversity in a multicultural society."
– “Teaching About the Holocaust: A Resource for Educators”
(United States Holocaust Memorial Museum)
RESOURCES:
Behind the lies of Holocaust denial | Deborah Lipstadt
“There are facts, there are opinions, and there are lies,” says historian Deborah Lipstadt, telling the remarkable story of her research into Holocaust deniers — and their deliberate distortion of history.
Watch Deborah’s “Behind the lies of Holocaust denial” presentation on TED Talks.
Timeline of the Holocaust
The timeline of the Holocaust was prepared by Echoes and Reflections:
https://timelineoftheholocaust.org/
Inspiring and Empowering Youth through Holocaust Education
Click on the link below to watch a video presented by Kenra Mroz a teacher at Sir Robert Borden high school in Ottawa and a CHES member on March 12th 2021 as a CHES presentation for Liberation 75 Teachers Symposium.
FREE: Friends of Simon Wiesenthal Center’s (FSWC) Educational Workshops
Lessons & Legacies of the Holocaust
“The Holocaust is not just a Jewish story, but a human story.” Explore the history of the Holocaust and the attitudes and social forces that enabled one of the darkest periods of human history to occur. Students also have the opportunity to meet a Holocaust survivor, listen to his/her testimony, ask questions & gain a better understanding of the impact of the Holocaust at a personal level. Suitable for Grades 6 - 12; 3 hours
Roots of Hate & Intolerance
Canada, often described as a diverse cultural mosaic, is not free from hatred and intolerance. Racism, antisemitism and prejudice are examined, as well as how these issues impact students and their communities. Real historical and contemporary examples of hate are used as a means of creating awareness and promoting dialogue and positive action within the school and community. Suitable for Grades 6-12; 2 hours
Leadership 101 – Training for Student Leaders
“Leadership is not a position or a title, it is action and example.” This interactive, hands-on workshop challenges existing perspectives on leadership and encourages students to explore their own diversity story. Students are introduced to tools they can use to promote respect and lead their school in affecting real, inclusive change. Suitable for Grades 7 – 12; 3 hours
Genocide & the Power of Action
Genocide is defined and investigated through Gregory Stanton’s 10 Stages theoretical framework. Three case studies are applied to allow students to build an understanding of where theory intersects with reality. Students also have the opportunity to listen to testimony from, & interact with, a survivor. Suitable for Grades 7–12; 3 hours
Simon’s Story: Heroes Among Us
What does it mean to be a hero? Characteristics such as integrity, courage and responsibility are investigated through real people who walked the talk. This course encourages an introspective look at personally defining characteristics of a hero and ways in which each of us has the power to effect positive change in our lives. Suitable for Grades 4–6; 2 hours
Digital Citizenship
The internet can function as a forum for progress and social change, but also as a vehicle to spread hate and intolerance. Issues such as cyberbullying, digital hate and the real life consequences of these increasingly dangerous and growing trends are investigated. Suitable for Grades 4 – 8; 2 hours
Gender Equity
Despite significant developments over the course of the past century, gender inequities continue to persist. Consequences of this imbalance have an impact on all of humanity. Exploration of these issues, both at home and abroad, are explored. Students will leave informed, empowered & equipped with tools to effect real and positive change. Suitable for Grades 8 – 12; 2 hours
Media Literacy, Propaganda & the Second World War
Throughout the Holocaust and World War II, powerful forms of propaganda were used to persuade and coerce populations. A look through different imagery, media and styles of propaganda are used to discuss bias and misinformation both in the past as well as in deciphering messages in today’s media. Suitable for Grades 7 – 12; 2 hours
Contact education@fswc.ca to book this unique experience for your students today!
Museums
- Yad Vashem. The World Holocaust Remembrance Center
- United States Holocaust Memorial Museum
- United States Holocaust Memorial Museum Collections and Archives
- Montreal Holocaust Memorial Centre
- Vancouver Holocaust Education Centre
- Anne Frank House
- Państwowe Muzeum Auschwitz-Birkenau
- KZ-Gedenkstätte Dachau
- House of the Wannsee Conference
- The Ghetto Fighters’ House
Holocaust Centres
- Sarah and Chaim Neuberger Holocaust Education Centre
- The Freeman Family Foundation Holocaust Education Centre
- Auschwitz Jewish Center
Monuments
Libraries
- Research Guide to Holocaust-related Holdings at Library and Archives Canada
- Carleton University MacOdrum Library
- University of Ottawa Library
- Saint Paul University Jean-Leon Allie Library and Archives
- Ottawa Public Library
- Greenberg Family Library
- The Montreal Jewish Public Library
- Friends of Simon Wiesenthal Center for Holocaust Studies (FSWC)
- The Azrieli foundation
Other Resources
- 1938Projekt: Posts from the Past
- Holocaust Survivors and their Descendants
- The Azrieli Foundation
- Claims Conference
- 2011 National Household Survey – The Jewish Population of Canada Part 9 Holocaust Survivors
- Sir Martin Gilbert
- Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs (CIJA) – Holocaust Survivors
- International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance
Online Courses
- The Holocaust – An Introduction (I): Nazi Germany: Ideology, The Jews and the World
- The Holocaust – An Introduction (II): The Final Solution
Online Resources
- Insights and Perspectives – Video Lecture Series 2020