Toronto, ON – Yom HaShoah is a day to honour and remember the six million Jews who were murdered by the Nazis during the Holocaust. The commemoration is particularly meaningful to members of the Canadian Jewish Holocaust Survivors and Descendants (CJHSD), an organization closely affiliated with the Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs (CIJA).
Quotes:
“It is still painful for me to look back at this terrible period in history, yet it’s something we all must do if we hope to prevent further genocide. Though more than 70 years have passed since the Holocaust, my memories of that horrific time remain vivid. Unfortunately, for many, the Holocaust is nothing more than abstract history. Yom HaShoah provides Survivors with an opportunity to share our experiences with the next generation and, in so doing, ensure the reality of the Holocaust forever changes them, as it did us.”
– Hank Rosenbaum, Co-President, CJHSD
“Today, we remember the many victims of the Holocaust and pay tribute to the brave men and women who endured the agony of that dark period and survived. With great courage, they overcame adversity and loss and rebuilt their lives. As the number of Survivors continues to dwindle, it is more important than ever for Canadians of all backgrounds to hear their stories and unite in the stand against all forms of hatred.”
– David J. Cape, CIJA Chair
“Those who survived the Holocaust were most often left to start anew, having been stripped of their homes, businesses, and possessions. Many of these Survivors – who have already suffered more in life than anyone should have to – are living in poverty today. Just as the duty to ensure the Holocaust is never forgotten is one we all must share; so, too, is the collective responsibility to ensure restitution is made for the property and personal effects stolen by the Nazis during WWII. This has long been a CIJA priority.”
– Shimon Koffler Fogel, CIJA CEO