As the Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) committed to producing educational opportunities highlighting our school's diversity, I was honored to have Ellie C. '25 inform me about International Holocaust Remembrance Day.
During my conversation with Ellie, a member of the Jewish Affinity Group, I learned why acknowledging this day is important to the Jewish community and why we as a society should be aware as well. Below, please find Ellie's words.
Dr. Kenneth D. Waters
By Ellie C. '25 – Guest DEI Blogger
International Holocaust Remembrance Day, or the International Day in Memory of the Victims of the Holocaust, is reserved on January 27 to commemorate the victims of the Holocaust, which resulted in the genocide of the Jewish people, along with countless members of other minorities by Nazi Germany between 1933 and 1945. This genocide was an attempt to implement Hitler's "final solution" in Germany, eliminating the population of minorities.
January 27 was chosen to commemorate when the Auschwitz concentration camp was liberated by the Red Army in 1945. The day is a time to remember the killing of six million Jews, two-thirds of Europe's Jewish population, and millions of others by the Nazi regime and its collaborators.
Many countries have adopted this day, although Israel's memorial day (Yom Hashoah) differs and is held on the 27th of the Hebrew month of Nisan (in April or May). On these days, we honor those who were murdered as well as the brave individuals who attempted to save them through secret efforts hidden from the Nazis.
