Even in Canada, we see anti-Semitism has reared its head. “It gives me a great sense of pride to be the representative of the Jewish state here in Quebec,” said Hirschson. Paul Hirschson, Consul General of Israel, expressed his gratitude for how the world has embraced International Holocaust Remembrance Day, which started as an initiative of the Israeli Foreign Ministry, and particularly Canada, which in 1831 became the first place in the British Empire to allow Jews the right to vote. Two public officials were on hand to mark the solemn occasion. Together, we will continue the fight against anti-Semitism and all forms of discrimination to make our university stronger, more diverse, and inclusive.” Constant vigilance “But there is still much work to be done. “The observance of this commemorative day will be an important way of raising awareness among our community about Jewish history for years to come,” said the Interim Principal. He called McGill’s first observance of International Holocaust Remembrance Day an important step in transforming the recommendations of the University’s Initiative against Islamophobia and Anti-semitism final report into “meaningful action.” Interim Principal Christopher Manfredi noted that periods of social turbulence, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, can feed anti-Semitism, xenophobia, and discrimination-making “awareness, education, and a concerted effort from all of us” more important than ever. She added that “hate speech, anti-Semitism, discrimination, and oppression in all their forms have no place at McGill and will not be tolerated.” More work to do Campbell acknowledged that, although Jewish people were the principal victims of Nazi hatred and persecution, “the regime also targeted many other groups including Black people, members of the 2SLQBTQIA+ community, people living with disabilities, Roma and Sinti people, Muslim people, and several other groups who did not fit into the regime’s delusions.” “The Holocaust is a tragedy whose magnitude, barbarity, and cruelty have led us to rightly call it a crime against humanity, and it is our responsibility, individually and collectively, to ensure that this horrifying chapter is never forgotten and that the memory of the victims is forever honored.” “Today, we come together to pay tribute to the millions of victims of one of the darkest pages of human history,” she said in her opening remarks. Rabbi Shmuly Weiss from Chabad House led the audience in a reading of “A Prayer for Yom HaShoah” by Chief Rabbi Lord Sacks. The event was hosted by Professor Angela Campbell, Co-Acting Provost and Associate Provost (Equity and Academic Policies). The UN chose the date because it marks the anniversary of the 1945 liberation of the Auschwitz-Birkenau concentration camp.īecause January 27 falls on a Friday this year, McGill held its commemoration one day early out of respect for the Shabbat. ![]() In 2005, the United Nations designated January 27 as an international day to honor the six million Jewish victims of the Holocaust and millions of other victims of Nazism, and to develop educational programs to help prevent future genocides. The event took place in the atrium of the Macdonald Engineering Building on the downtown campus. On the afternoon of Thursday, January 26, 2023, McGill University held its inaugural International Holocaust Remembrance Day commemoration. “The Holocaust raises many questions, provides few answers, and shows many examples of moral courage in the struggle against evil,” said Judith Nemes Black, a child survivor of the Holocaust Owen Egan / Joni Dufour
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