FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 27, 2017
Ottawa, ON – Today the Government of Canada unveiled Canada’s National Holocaust Monument in Ottawa.
In response, the Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs (CIJA), and their affiliate, the Canadian Jewish Holocaust Survivors and Descendants (CJHSD), issued the following:
“Until today, Canada was the only Allied nation without a national Holocaust monument. As the Survivor population declines, we must ensure future generations bear witness to the lessons and memory of the Shoah. We express deep appreciation to all who played a role in making this monument a reality. May it always serve as a caution of the dangers of unchecked evil and the unspeakable cost of silence in the face of antisemitism and hatred.”
-Sidney Zoltak, Co-President, CJHSD
“All Canadians have a collective role in ensuring the victims and survivors of the Shoah are honoured and remembered. That is why CIJA has been active in advancing and supporting the National Holocaust Monument initiative since this noble project was first conceived.
“We’d like to applaud the National Holocaust Monument Development Council and the Government of Canada for their diligence in bringing this project to realization. All major political parties have been supportive of this initiative, but special thanks are due to former Members of Parliament Tim Uppal, Susan Kadis, and Richard Marceau, as well as current MPs Greg Fergus and Peter Kent. Finally, great credit is due to Laura Grosman, who, as an 18-year old student at the University of Ottawa, demonstrated the initiative and tenacity to embark on this meaningful project and see it through to its successful conclusion.”
-David J. Cape, Chair, CIJA
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The Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs (CIJA) is the advocacy agent of the Jewish Federations of Canada-UIA.
The Canadian Jewish Holocaust Survivors and Descendants (CJHSD) is a grassroots organization dedicated to advocating on behalf of its members and represents Canadian survivors at the Jewish Material Claims Conference. The CJHSD is an independent organization affiliated with CIJA.
For more information, please contact:
Adir Krafman
Manager, Communications and Media Relations
The Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs (CIJA)
416-820-6871 – akrafman@cija.ca