“Memory, Dignity and Justice”
 

In 2022, the theme guiding the United Nations Holocaust remembrance and education is “Memory, Dignity and Justice”. Holocaust commemoration and education is a global imperative in the third decade of the 21st century. The writing of history and the act of remembering brings dignity and justice to those whom the perpetrators of the Holocaust intended to obliterate. Safeguarding the historical record, remembering the victims, challenging the distortion of history often expressed in contemporary antisemitism, are critical aspects of claiming justice after atrocity crimes. The theme encompasses these concerns.

Holocaust commemorative and educational activities will draw attention to the actions taken by Holocaust survivors in the immediate years following the devastation and brutality of the Holocaust, to reclaim their rights, their history, their cultural heritage and traditions, and their dignity. The role played by institutions and individuals in supporting survivors, the long-reaching impact of the Holocaust on survivors’ families, and the impact of the Holocaust on the shaping of human rights policy and interventions will be explored. The theme encourages action to challenge hatred, strengthen solidarity and champion compassion. The Holocaust and the United Nations Outreach Programme is an expression of the unwavering commitment of the United Nations to promoting human rights, to countering antisemitism and racism, and to preventing future genocide.

20 January – 20 February 2022

Exhibition “After the End of the World: Displaced Persons and Displaced Persons Camps”

Europe emerged from the Second World War utterly broken, with millions of refugees scattered across many countries. The United Nations Relief and Rehabilitation Administration (UNRRA) was created to resettle those displaced by the mayhem of the war and the Holocaust. The fragments from the past illuminate the work of UNRRA administrators, and chart how, in the aftermath of catastrophic loss, Holocaust survivors navigated their new lives in displaced persons camps. The exhibition is sourced with artefacts and documents from the United Nations Archives and the YIVO Institute for Jewish Research Archives, and draws upon the expertise of the Center for the Study of the Holocaust, Genocide, and Crimes Against Humanity at the Graduate Center—CUNY. The exhibition was created by the Holocaust and the United Nations Outreach Programme, together with the YIVO Institute for Jewish Research Archives, and the United Nations Archives, and with generous support of Stockton University. 

The exhibition is on view through end February 2022. We will notify you should United Nations safety protocols for COVID-19 permit public viewing.

Monday, 24 January 2022

“Holocaust Remembrance: Responsibilities for All Society”

For its annual United Nations event in conjunction with International Holocaust Remembrance Day – this month marking 17 years of observance by the world body – B’nai B’rith International presented a global virtual programme entitled, “Holocaust Remembrance: Responsibilities for All Society”. The event included keynote remarks by German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock, and messages from U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas and European Commission Vice-President Margaritis Schinas. Best practices were highlighted by an array of diverse, distinguished speakers including Dani Dayan, Chairman of Yad Vashem; Irwin Cotler, Canadian Special Envoy on Preserving Holocaust Remembrance and Combating Antisemitism; Ellen German, United States Special Envoy for Holocaust Issues; Tracey Petersen, Manager of The United Nations and the Holocaust Outreach Programme; Katharina von Schnurbein, European Commission Coordinator on Combating Antisemitism and Fostering Jewish Life; Fernando Lottenberg, the Organization of American States Commissioner to Monitor and Combat Antsemitism; Kathrin Meyer, Executive Secretary, International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA); Daniel Lörcher, Head of Corporate Responsibility, Borussia Dortmund; Tibi Galiş, Executive Director, Auschwitz Institute for the Prevention of Genocide; and Omar Al Busaidy, USA CEO, Sharaka. Daniel S. Mariaschin, the CEO of B’nai B’rith International, delivered opening remarks and B'nai B'rith President Seth Riklin gave closing remarks. The event was moderated by David Michaels, B’nai B’rith Director of UN and Intercommunal Affairs, and Alina Bricman, Director of European Union Affairs. The event was organized by B’nai B’rith International.

Tuesday, 25 January 2022
 

Park East Synagogue Holocaust Commemoration Service

Watch the recording of the Service.

Park East Synagogue hosted a virtual Holocaust Commemoration Service marking the 77th Anniversary of the Liberation of Auschwitz. United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres and Rabbi Arthur Schneier delivered remarks. The event included the participation of the diplomatic corps, Holocaust Survivors' families, Rabbi Arthur Schneier Park East Day School students and music by Chief Cantor Yitzchak Meir Helfgot, Cantor Benny Rogosnitzky and the Park East Synagogue Choir, led by Conductor Maestro Russell Ger.

Thursday, 27 January 2022

United Nations Chamber Music Society Virtual Concert

Watch the recording of the concert. 

The United Nations Chamber Music Society of the United Nations Staff Recreation Council performed a virtual concert in memory of the victims of the Holocaust. The classical music programme featured Jewish composers, to instill the memory of the tragedy in future generations to prevent genocide from occurring again. It also featured special performances from musicians from Maestro Daniel Barenboim’s West–Eastern Divan Orchestra. In addition, the concert featured artwork by Roy Nachum. Founded in 2016, the United Nations Chamber Music Society carries out the United Nations’ mission of peace, understanding and cooperation, through the universal language of music.  

Virtual seminar “Legacy of Medicine During the Holocaust and its Contemporary Relevance"

12:00 p.m. - 1:15 p.m.

Register for this seminar

A virtual seminar “Legacy of Medicine During the Holocaust and its Contemporary Relevance” is presented by Hedy S. Wald, PhD, Alpert Medical School of Brown University, and Sabine Hildebrandt, MD, Harvard Medical School. Both Drs. Wald and Hildebrandt are Commissioners of the Lancet Commission on Medicine and the Holocaust, and Dr. Hildebrandt serves as co-chair. The Lancet Commission on Medicine and the Holocaust, has urged the development of “educational approaches using this history to promote ethical conduct, compassionate identity formation, and moral development.” This seminar will catalyze critical thinking on the relevance of the Holocaust for contemporary medicine and help health care trainees and professionals reflect on their core values in the service of humanistic and ethically responsible patient care.

Thursday, 27 January 2022
 

United Nations Holocaust Memorial Ceremony 

11:00 a.m.

Downloaded the Programme and watch the recording of the Commemoration.

Ms. Melissa Fleming, United Nations Under-Secretary-General for Global Communications hosted the ceremony. The event included remarks by United Nations Secretary-General; the President of the 76th session of the General Assembly; the Permanent Representatives of Israel and the United States; Dr. Petra Gelbart, granddaughter of Romani Holocaust survivors Helena “Margita” Nová and Antonín “Ruda” Hránek, and Mr. Elisha Wiesel, son of Holocaust survivors Marion and Elie Wiesel. Professor John K. Roth delivered the keynote address. The ceremony included testimonies from Holocaust survivors from Canada, Israel, South Africa and the United States. Mr. Pinchas Zukerman and Mr. Shai Wosner performed a musical piece. Cantor Daniel Mendelson, Congregation Kol Ami, New York recited memorial prayers.

Lest We Forget: Combating Holocaust Denial and Distortion

2:00 p.m. EST

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The United Nations General Assembly will soon adopt a historic resolution calling for action to combat Holocaust denial and distortion as antisemitism continues to surge globally. What further measures can the UN, governments, and social media companies take to combat Holocaust denial and distortion? How can they promote more effective Holocaust education and ensure that victims are never forgotten? On International Holocaust Remembrance Day, join Irwin Cotler, an acclaimed scholar, human rights advocate, and Canada's Special Envoy on Preserving Holocaust Remembrance and Combating Antisemitism, in conversation with Felice Gaer, Director of AJC's Jacob Blaustein Institute for the Advancement of Human Rights, to answer these questions and more. This briefing is organized by the American Jewish Committee (AJC).

Thursday, 3 February 2022

Civil Society Briefing “The Future of Memory: Holocaust Remembrance, History and New Media”

11:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. EST

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The virtual briefing will examine how memories of the Holocaust are kept and discussed through new media, and the implications for Holocaust history. Panellists will consider the role of new media as an increasingly important tool for educating the public, especially youth, about the Holocaust, as well as combating Holocaust denial and distortion, antisemitism, and other identity-based hatreds.

The panellists include: Eva Pfanzelter, Associate Professor, Department of Contemporary History, University of Innsbruck; Victoria Grace Walden, Director of Learning Enhancement and Senior Lecturer, School of Media, Arts and Humanities, University of Sussex; Stefania Manca, Research Director, Institute of Educational Technology of the National Research Council of Italy; Tobias Ebbrecht-Hartmann, Senior Lecturer, Department of Communication and Journalism, Hebrew University of Jerusalem; Karel Fracapane, Programme Specialist, UNESCO; Cory Weiss, Director of Digital Advocacy and Deputy Director of Communications, World Jewish Congress and Julana Bredtmann, Program Officer, International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance. Melissa Fleming, Under-Secretary-General for Global Communications, will deliver opening remarks. The event will be moderated Robert Skinner, Deputy Director and Chief of Partnerships and Global Engagement, Outreach Division, United Nations Department of Global Communications.

Thursday, 10 February 2022
 

Virtual Film Discussion “The Last Survivors”

12:00 p.m. - 1:30 p.m. EST

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Join Arthur Cary, director of  “The Last Survivors”; Maurice Bilk, sculptor, Holocaust survivor featured in the fllm, and Holocaust historian and author of the seminal work “Children with a Star: Jewish youth in Nazi Germany”, Professor Deborah Dwork, in an online discussion about the documentary, children and the Holocaust, and their lives after. The Department of Global Communications will moderate the discussion. The documentary, “The Last Survivors” gathers together the compelling and, in some cases, never-before-heard testimony from Holocaust survivors living in Britain today. All of these extraordinary people were children during the Holocaust, but now in their later years, they reflect on their experiences with a different perspective and understanding of how this past trauma permeates through to their contemporary lives with increased significance. 

The documentary will be made available for viewing prior to the discussion. Please note that the film contains material that is disturbing, and not suitable for younger viewers. Viewer discretion is advised.

Thursday, 17 February 2022
 

Virtual Series “Conversations with the author”

12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m. EST

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Dr. Elisabeth Anthony will discuss her new book, “The Compromise of Return: Viennese Jews after the Holocaust” with Professor Albert Lichtblau, Universität Salzburg. The book explores the motivations and expectations that inspired Viennese Jews to re-establish lives in their hometown after the devastation and trauma of the Holocaust. Dr. Anthony investigates their personal, political, and professional endeavours, revealing the contours of their experiences of returning to a post-Nazi society. Dr. Anthony weaves together archival documentation with oral histories, interviews, memoirs, and personal correspondence to craft a multi-layered, multi-vocal narrative of return focused on the immediate post-war years.

The event is part of the discussion series “Refugees and Forcibly Displaced Persons”, organized by the Center for the Study of the Holocaust, Genocide, and Crimes against Humanity, the Graduate Center, CUNY and the Skirball Department of Hebrew and Judaic Studies, NYU.

Secretary-General's Message 

on The International Day of Commemoration 

in memory of the victims of the Holocaust

27 January 2022