- Photo (at left) courtesy of Greg Manley

 

“Without memory, there is no culture. Without memory, there would be no civilization, no society, no future.”

- Elie Wiesel

On January 27, 2025, the world will observe International Holocaust Remembrance Day, commemorating the 80th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz by the Soviet Union’s Red Army. This momentous occasion marks a pivotal chapter in human history and a solemn reminder of the atrocities of the Holocaust.

Established by the United Nations General Assembly on November 1, 2005, International Holocaust Remembrance Day invites people of all backgrounds to learn about the horrors inflicted by genocidal regimes. Unlike Yom HaShoah, Israel’s national Holocaust Remembrance Day, observed with rituals like lighting candles and reciting El Malei Rachamim or the Mourner’s Kaddish, this day also honours other communities affected by the Holocaust, including the Roma people.

“This is an important day not only for Jews but for the community at large,” said Mina Cohn, Chair of the Centre for Holocaust Education and Scholarship (CHES), emphasizing the day’s universal relevance.

Understanding the Holocaust’s atrocities requires more than a single day of reflection. It demands hearing and sharing the stories of survivors and remembering those who did not survive.

 “Auschwitz exemplifies one of the darkest periods in human history,” said Cohn. “International Holocaust Remembrance Day should constantly remind humanity of what people are capable of doing to one another.”

Alex Munter, Chair of the Jewish Federation of Ottawa’s Shoah Committee, reflected on the significance of the anniversary: “The liberation of the death camps was a triumph of light over darkness. With so much darkness in the world today, this anniversary reminds us of the importance of never abandoning the light and always working to end discrimination and hatred.”

To honour this milestone, the Jewish Federation of Ottawa will join the Israeli and Polish Embassies and the National Holocaust Monument Committee who are partnering to host an event at Ottawa’s National Holocaust Monument. The program will feature speakers from these organizations as well as representatives from the Government of Canada.

Attendees are encouraged to download the IWalk app, a bilingual, professionally curated tool that guides visitors through the Monument’s symbolism and incorporates survivors’ voices to deepen understanding of the Holocaust’s destructive legacy.

While this day symbolizes humanity’s progress, it is also a time of profound emotion. We continue to remember those who perished in Auschwitz and recommit ourselves to building a brighter future, one free of hatred and discrimination, for all people