|
Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...
|
Edited by: Fern Sidman
On Wednesday, January 22, the Greek Consulate in New York and the American Friends of the Jewish Museum of Greece hosted a solemn event at Hebrew Union College to commemorate International Holocaust Remembrance Day, observed globally on January 27. The gathering brought together dignitaries and community members to honor the memory of Greek Jews who perished during the Holocaust and to reflect on the ongoing challenges facing Jewish communities worldwide.
Among the speakers was Ambassador Ofir Akunis, Consul General of Israel in New York, whose presence added a deeply personal dimension to the event. “As a Jew with Greek heritage, this is an especially meaningful gathering, but also a deeply sad reminder of the threats that Jews continue to face all around the world,” Akunis said, highlighting the intersection of his heritage and his current role in advocating for Jewish resilience and remembrance.
The Holocaust, which claimed the lives of six million Jews, also devastated Greece’s vibrant Jewish population. Before World War II, Greece was home to thriving Jewish communities, particularly the Sephardic population in Thessaloniki, often referred to as the “Jerusalem of the Balkans.” By the war’s end, approximately 83% of Greek Jews—over 60,000 individuals—had been murdered in Nazi death camps such as Auschwitz-Birkenau. Events like this commemoration seek to keep their stories alive and emphasize the importance of combating anti-Semitism and Holocaust denial.
Akunis’s remarks called attention to the broader significance of Holocaust remembrance in today’s world. “In the 1930s, most of the world remained silent in the face of Nazi Germany’s declarations to destroy the Jewish people,” he noted. Drawing parallels to contemporary challenges, he added, “Even today, there are still countries and terrorist organizations that not only deny the Holocaust and the massacre of October 7, but openly declare their intent to destroy the Jewish people.” His words served as both a reminder of historical failures and a call to action for vigilance and unity against hatred and extremism.
The Consul General of Greece in New York, Iphigenia Kanara, also spoke at the event, reinforcing the shared commitment of Greece and Israel to preserve the memory of Holocaust victims and to foster education about this dark chapter in history. The event reflected the strong bonds between the two nations and their mutual dedication to confronting anti-Semitism in all its forms.
As Akunis emphasized, remembrance is not only about honoring the past but also about safeguarding the future. “This time, we will stand together, fight for our shared values, and defeat them – creating a better future for the entire world,” he said, expressing hope and determination in the face of ongoing challenges.
International Holocaust Remembrance Day serves as a poignant reminder of the atrocities of the past and the necessity of collective action to prevent history from repeating itself. The event at Hebrew Union College, with its focus on Greek Jews and their unique stories, reinforced the importance of remembering the victims and educating future generations. Through gatherings like this, the lessons of the Holocaust remain alive, inspiring a commitment to tolerance, justice, and human dignity.
