Jewish Federation joins in International Holocaust Remembrance Day commemoration
The Jewish Federation of San Diego County joins communities around the world on January 27th in commemoration of International Holocaust Remembrance Day.
“On this somber day, we remember the six million precious men, women, and children who were murdered simply because they were Jewish,” said Michael Jeser, CEO of the Jewish Federation. “But we also remember the resilience shown by those who survived and pledge to fight hatred and bigotry of any kind to ensure history does not repeat itself.”
The United Nations General Assembly designated January 27th – the anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau – as International Holocaust Remembrance Day. On this annual day of commemoration, the UN urges every member state to honor the six million Jewish victims of the Holocaust and millions of other victims of Nazism and to develop education programs to help prevent future genocides.
Located in German-occupied Poland, Auschwitz consisted of three camps including a killing center. Auschwitz was liberated by the Soviet army in January 1945.
An estimated 500 Holocaust survivors live in San Diego. Many remain vibrant and continue to share their stories and to write about their experience, including The Choice: Embrace the Possible by Dr. Edith Eger and Memories, Miracles and Meaning: Insights of a Holocaust Survivor by Fanny Krasner Lebovits. However, more than 25% of San Diego’s survivors live in substandard conditions and are food insecure.
To address the needs of the most vulnerable survivors, the Jewish Federation is partnering with the Jewish Community Foundation and Jewish Family Service to create a communitywide coalition to reaffirm its commitment to Never Again. The San Diego Holocaust Survivor Coalition aims to leverage the resources of multiple community partners to ensure that survivors age with dignity, security, and compassion in the embrace of our Jewish community for the rest of their lives and an enduring legacy after they are gone. — From Jewish Federation of San Diego County
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Yad Vashem highlights two projects for International Holocaust Remembrance Day
Yad Vashem and Facebook Israel have joined together in a project to promote Holocaust commemoration on social media. The Holocaust Remembrance Project will honor victims of the Holocaust with two unique activities: “The IRemember Wall” created especially for International Holocaust Remembrance Day, and “Unto Each Person There is a Story” to be implemented this May.
Yad Vashem’s “IRemember Wall,” being launched Thursday, will allow Facebook users to share the identity of a Jewish victim from Yad Vashem’s Central Database of Shoah Victims’ Names. The Names Database will also be used to provide information for “Unto Each Person There is a Story,” a new Facebook Story initiative to be launched for Israel’s Holocaust Remembrance Day.
Over the last 65 years, Yad Vashem, the World Holocaust Remembrance Center, has been dedicated to restoring the identities and honor the memories of the six million Jews murdered during the Holocaust.
“Yad Vashem works tirelessly to ensure that the memory of the Holocaust is relevant and constant, while facing the challenge of its global dissemination,” states Yad Vashem Chairman Avner Shalev. “Therefore, we maintain an active presence on social media, today’s platforms for contemporary discourse. The new joint project with Facebook Israel will allow the broader public to connect with the names and stories of the Jews murdered during the Holocaust and enable those who wish to express their commitment to Holocaust Remembrance to do so in a simple and timely way.”
■ “The IRemember Wall”
Running 24-29 January 2019 to mark International Holocaust Remembrance Day, “The IRemember Wall” provides a unique opportunity for the wider public to engage in an interactive commemorative activity. Participants will be randomly matched with one of the men, women or children recorded in Yad Vashem’s Central Database of Shoah Victims’ Names. To date, the Database commemorates some 4,800,000 names of Jews murdered during the Holocaust. The name of the participant, together with the name of the Holocaust victim they are matched with, will be added to Yad Vashem’s virtual “IRemember Wall” and can then be shared on the participant’s Facebook page.
■ “Unto Each Person There is a Story”
The second phase of the Holocaust Remembrance Project will be launched in May 2019 in time for Israel’s national Holocaust Martyrs’ and Heroes’ Remembrance Day. “Unto Each Person There is a Story” is a new initiative consisting of dedicated “Facebook Stories” drawn from the millions of victims recorded in Yad Vashem’s Central Database of Shoah Victims’ Names. The stories of Holocaust victims may then in turn be shared with the world via Facebook. — From Yad Vashem
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Susan Davis joins Subcommittees on Military Personnel and Strategic Forces
Congresswoman Susan Davis (D-San Diego), a senior member of the House Armed Services Committee, released the following statement regarding her selection of the Military Personnel Subcommittee and the Strategic Forces Subcommittee. Davis returns to Military Personnel as a member. She was Chair of Personnel from 2007 to 2011 and served as Ranking Member from 2011 to 2017. Davis will be the second highest ranking Democrat on the Armed Services Committee.
“With San Diego’s large concentration of military personnel and families, I look forward to returning to the Military Personnel Subcommittee. It will provide an incredible opportunity to ensure we meet the needs of those who sacrifice so much for the American people.
“The future of the United States’ nuclear capability and space programs are discussions that have moved to the forefront. With jurisdiction over these areas – hypersonic weapons, ballistic missile defense, and Department of Energy national security programs – the Strategic Forces Subcommittee will play a key role in creating the smartest and most effective policies in these areas.
“I am excited to get to work with my colleagues on the full committee and subcommittees and the opportunities they bring to strengthening our nation’s defense and our commitment to the men and women who serve.” — From Congresswoman Susan Davis
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Preceding item culled from news releases. Please send yours to editor@sdjewishworld.com