International Holocaust Remembrance Day: A Call for Commemoration and Action

Today marks the 80th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz, a site synonymous with the horrors of the Holocaust.

When Soviet troops liberated the camp, they found approximately 7,000 prisoners, all suffering from dire health conditions. By that time, over 1.1 million lives had been extinguished at Auschwitz, including predominantly Jewish individuals along with political dissidents, Roma, homosexuals, and prisoners of war. Victims faced methods of death such as gas chambers, starvation, forced labor, disease, and horrific medical experiments.

In 2005, the United Nations General Assembly designated January 27 as International Holocaust Remembrance Day. This day encourages reflection on the consequences of Nazi persecution and reinforces the crucial lesson that remembering the Holocaust is vital to educating future generations about the dangers of unchecked hatred.

The urgency of this mission is underscored by a troubling increase in antisemitic incidents. Since 2016, reports of antisemitism in the United States have risen significantly, with the Anti-Defamation League noting a 360% increase in antisemitic acts following the October 7, 2023, terrorist attacks on Israel. Arizona has not been immune, seeing these incidents manifest in various communities, including on college campuses.

As the world observes this solemn anniversary, dignitaries, heads of state, and survivors gather to honor those lost. For younger generations, understanding the weight of this day serves as a crucial moral lesson and a call to action against hatred.

In commemorating this day, we reaffirm our dedication to fostering a world where tolerance and respect overshadow bigotry and exclusion. However, remembrance alone is insufficient; combating hate must be an everyday endeavor.

We must engage in education across our communities—classrooms, workplaces, and houses of worship—shining a light on the perils of unchecked hate. Social change requires the demand for justice through our actions, advocacy, and participation in civic life.

Collaborative efforts with local allies are essential to challenge all forms of hatred and discrimination. We can only build a more resilient society by standing together and addressing bias in any guise.

This January 27, we must confront the question: What actions will we take over the remaining 364 days to uphold the promise of “never again”?