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- Written by Silvia G. Golan
Invitation
The B’nai B’rith World Center in Jerusalem and Keren Kayemeth LeIsrael (KKL-JNF) will hold on Monday, May 6, for the 22nd consecutive year, a joint Holocaust commemoration ceremony on Holocaust Martyrs' and Heroes' Remembrance Day (Yom HaShoah).
This is the only Yom HaShoah event in Israel and worldwide dedicated annually to commemorating the heroism of Jews who rescued fellow Jews during the Holocaust.
The ceremony will take place at the B’nai B’rith Martyr’s Forest “Scroll of Fire” Plaza at 10 a.m. Israel time and will be streamed live on the B’nai B’rith International Facebook page.
The B'nai B'rith Martyr’s Forest is the world's largest Holocaust memorial and the most significant joint B’nai B’rith–KKL-JNF project, memorializing the victims of the Holocaust with six million trees planted in the picturesque Jerusalem mountains near Moshav Kesalon.
At the pinnacle of the forest stands the “Scroll of Fire,” created by renowned sculptor Nathan Rapoport, which invokes the destruction of the Jewish people in the Holocaust and their redemption in the State of Israel. Prior to the event, at 9 a.m., small groups will meet with relatives of the rescuers to learn about their heroic acts in greater depth.
Speakers in the ceremony will include: H.E. Sergio Barbanti, Ambassador of Italy to Israel; Sar-Shalom Jerbi, director, Education and Community Division, KKL-JNF; Dr. Haim Katz, chairman, B'nai B'rith World Center; Brigadier General Gihad Hasan, Police Border Guard;
and Sarah Jackson, Holocaust survivor who rescued young people from the Nova festival on Oct. 7 (recorded).
During the ceremony, the “Jewish Rescuers Citation” will be conferred on 13 rescuers who operated in France, Germany, Czechoslovakia, Italy and Poland. The citation—a joint program of the B’nai B’rith World Center and the Committee to Recognize
the Heroism of Jewish Rescuers during the Holocaust—has recognized over 632 heroes since its inception in 2011 in an effort to help correct the generally held misconception that Jews failed to come to the aid of fellow Jews during the Holocaust.
The phenomena of Jewish rescue and the instructive stories of many hundreds of Jews who labored to save their endangered brethren throughout Europe from deportation and murder have yet to be fully researched and receive appropriate public attention.
Many who could have tried to flee or hide themselves decided to stay and expose themselves to danger in an effort to rescue others; some paid for it with their lives. With great heroism, Jews in Germany and every country across Axis and occupied Europe employed subterfuge,
forgery, smuggling, concealment, and other methods to ensure that Jews survived the Holocaust or assisted them in escaping to a safe haven. In doing so, they foiled the Nazi goal of total annihilation of the Jews.
Click here to read more about recipients of this year’s Jewish Rescuers Citation.
Photo courtesy: Yossi Zamir
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- Written by Silvia G. Golan
Yad Vashem Launches "Who Is Your Holocaust Hero?" a Digital Project for Leaders, Influencers and Actors in time for Holocaust Remembrance Day 2024
[Jerusalem – 03 May 2024] In time for Holocaust Martyrs' and Heroes' Remembrance Day, observed this year May 5-6th, Yad Vashem, the World Holocaust Remembrance Center, announces the launch of its "Who Is Your Holocaust Hero?" campaign. The initiative encourages the public to delve into and forge personal connections with Holocaust narratives through short video clips, sharing who their Holocaust Hero is on social media platforms.
This digital project encapsulates Yad Vashem's core mission; its enduring commitment to preserving the memory of the Holocaust. At the heart of Yad Vashem's vision, lies the unwavering dedication to ensuring that the profound lessons learned from this harrowing chapter of human history can transcend generations, fostering a collective remembrance that endures eternally.
"This unique campaign comes at a particularly critical juncture," emphasized Yad Vashem Chairman Dani Dayan. "As the eyewitness generation fades away, we are left with an irreplaceable void. By sharing their stories, we are ensuring that they will never be forgotten. By sharing and creating a community of remembrance on social media we can amplify their voices, garnering global attention."
As part of the launch of this initiative, Yad Vashem has invited some distinguished individuals from various walks of life to become Ambassadors of Holocaust Memory and record their own 1-2-minute short video introducing their personal Holocaust hero. By sharing these stories and sharing them with a new audience, we can remember the Holocaust, one story at a time.
Teaming up with Hollywood liaison Lana Melman, author of "Artists Under Fire," Yad Vashem has garnered support from influential figures from entertainment and international leaders alike. Notable participants include producer Ben Silverman, director Jeff Melman, actors Patricia Heaton, James Maslow, Mark Pellegrino, and Gene Simmons, alongside political figures such as Lord Eric Pickles, Prof. Alan Dershowitz, President of the Claims Conference Gideon Taylor, Canadian MP Anthony Housefather, and British MP Bob Blackman. Furthermore, social media influencers like Montana Tucker, Dov Forman, BBC Broadcast Journalist John Ware and celebrity chef Eitan Bernath have lent their endorsement to this initiative.
“We are living in a time of anti-Jewish hate not seen since Nazi Germany” says author and CEO of Liberate Art, Lana Melman. “The phrase ‘Never Again’ is not a slogan, it is a vow – a promise humankind made to G-d and each other after the inhumanity and horrors of the Holocaust. By sharing the stories of Holocaust Heros, we are reminded that none of us can be silent about where this road leads us. We have a right to be safe and Jewish.”
"The Claims Conference is proud to be part of Yad Vashem’s "Who Is Your Holocaust Hero?" social media campaign. Each survivor is a hero to us; we are grateful to Yad Vashem for inviting us and the global community to honor survivors for this campaign,” Gideon Taylor President, Conference on Jewish Material Claims Against Germany, shared his Holocaust Hero, Holocaust Survivor Sir Ben Helfgott.
“I’m very proud to be participating in this worthy program to help a new generation remember the horrors of the Holocaust. I will do everything in my power. Any moment I can remind the world and successive generations of the truth of our history, albeit painful and difficult, is critical. We must never forget.“ Ben Silverman, Chairman and Co-CEO of Propagate Content, Producer of The Office, Ugly Betty, and The Office, and former co-chairman of NBC Entertainment and Universal Media Studios.
For a promo video of the project, click here.
Yad Vashem, the World Holocaust Remembrance Center, was established in 1953. Located in Jerusalem, it is dedicated to Holocaust commemoration, documentation, research and education.
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- Written by Silvia G. Golan
The MIXiii Health-Tech.IL, The renowned Israeli biomed industry conference, kicked off in Jerusalem with great success. Hosted by the IATI Association, the conference gathered 1,700 guests and representatives from 32 countries, creating a vibrant platform for innovation in the life sciences and medical technologies industries.
The Association of Advanced Industries IATI officially inaugurated the international conference. The event has drawn attention from across the globe, attracting investors, industry experts, and approximately 1,700 participants eager to explore the latest developments in Israeli startups and cutting-edge medical technologies.
The MIXiii Health-Tech.IL conference serves as a showcase for Israeli ingenuity, highlighting medical technologies in various stages of development. Attendees have the unique opportunity to witness firsthand the impact of these innovations, which are already making a difference in the lives of millions worldwide.
The Association of Advanced Industries IATI officially inaugurated the international conference. The event has drawn attention from across the globe, attracting investors, industry experts, and approximately 1,700 participants eager to explore the latest developments in Israeli startups and cutting-edge medical technologies.
According to Karin Mayer Rubinstein, IATI CEO & President of the Association of Advanced Industries IATI, "The past year has been extremely challenging for the high-tech industry as a whole, and specifically for Israeli life sciences and digital technologies companies operating in Israel and abroad. The reasons for that are well known, as well as the consequences on the Israeli economy and society. I believe that this great challenge can bring creative solutions and create growth, as well as strengthening the confidence of investors in Israeli developments. This will only come with significant actions and close work with the Ministry of Finance and the Israeli Innovation Authority in order to ensure the continuity and business certainty of the life sciences industry".
Photo:L to R : Yaakov Michlin, Ran Blitzer, Dror Bin, Karin Meir Rubinstein
Photo credit Silvia G Golan
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- Written by Silvia G. Golan
On March 25th and 26th, the Israeli branch of the Azerbaijan Tourism Board organized business breakfasts for the Israeli tourism and media representatives on the occasion of Novruz holiday. The purpose of the events was to present to local tourism and media representatives Novruz as one of the most important national holidays of Azerbaijan, to introduce Novruz attributes and traditions that have been formed over the course of centuries.
During each breakfast, Jamila Talibzadeh, the director of the Israel branch of the Azerbaijan Tourism Board, delivered a presentation about the Novruz holiday to the attention of the participants. During the events, sightseeing places of Azerbaijan were displayed and also useful recommendations were given for those who will travel to Azerbaijan on the eve of the holiday to have fun and get most of Novruz.
The guests were presented Novruz gifts,“khonchas” filled with Novruz sweets, semeni and other national attributes.
Benyamin Kurmayev, the representative of Azerbaijan Airlines in Israel, also spoke at the events and presented information to the guests about AZAL and specifically about the resumption of Baku-Tel Aviv flights.
Thus, starting March 19, Azerbaijan Airlines carries three weekly flights from Baku to Tel Aviv and in the opposite direction on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays. From April, the number of flights will increase to 9 per week.
Worth noting that during the year 2023, about 24 thousand Israeli tourists visited Azerbaijan, and considering the frequency of flights and the growing interest of Israeli tourists in Azerbaijan, these numbers are expected to increase. Israeli tourists mostly prefer family trips, and widely use the available recreation opportunities and the infrastructure offered in our country. During the trips, besides Baku, regions are also included in their programs. The main spots of Jewish heritage, our national cuisine, shopping centers and wonders of nature are especially attractive to Israeli travelers.
Diplomacy.co.il congratulates the Azerbaijan Tourism Board on this wonderful celebration, and wishes a happy Now-Ruz
Photos Silvia Golan
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- Written by The Philippine Embassy in Tel Aviv
20 FEBRUARY 2024: The Philippine Embassy in Tel Aviv held a screening of the film Quezon’s Game in the central Israel city of Hod HaSharon, drawing emotional reactions from local Israelis who learned for the first time of President Manuel L. Quezon’s heroic act of giving refuge to Jews fleeing the Holocaust in the 1930s.
The movie retells the events that led to Jews’ escape to the Philippines, and the inspiring back story of how President Quezon battled sickness and the American bureaucracy and politics to fulfill this humanitarian gesture.
When the antisemitic pogroms started in Europe, the Philippines, then a US colony, was the only country which opened its doors to fleeing Jews. President Quezon, working with Manila’s Jewish community and a few sympathetic American officials, lobbied hard to secure 10,000 visas for the fleeing Jews, but succeeded in taking in only 1,410 after the US government rejected the plan.
These Jews were able to leave Europe and arrived in Manila before the Japanese invasion. They were later called Manilaners.
The screening was held on the first death anniversary of Max Weissler, one of the Manilaners. Max’s son, Danny Weissler, worked with the Embassy and the city government of Hod HaSharon to organize the event. The guests included the family and friends of the Weisslers, Hod HaSharon Mayor Amir Kochavi, residents of the city, students, and some Filipino community members.
In his remarks, Ambassador Pedro R. Laylo, Jr underscored the importance of remembering Quezon’s moral courage and compassion during “one of humanity’s darkest moments.” “We bear witness to the sacrifice and survival of the Jewish people during the Holocaust, as well as the heroism of the righteous who aided and rescued them,” said the Amb. Laylo.
Ambassador Laylo also urged the attendees not to forget and share the lessons of Quezon and the Manilaners’ story, “especially now as we confront the rise of antisemitism across the globe.”
Emotional viewers applauded and wiped away tears as the credits rolled at the end of the film. Many of them then lined up to personally express to Ambassador Laylo their gratitude for what President Quezon did. They expressed amazement at how a remote, little-known Asian country at that time unconditionally welcomed Jews it had little or no connection with.
The Embassy continues to raise awareness of the legacy of Quezon and the story of the Manilaners - a defining chapter in the shared history of the Philippines and Israel.
Subsequent screenings of the movie are planned to reach a wider audience in Israel. The Embassy hopes the movie would also earn recognition for the Philippines, and give President Quezon his rightful place among the Righteous Gentiles inducted at the Yad Vashem Holocaust Museum and the Friends of Zion Museum.
Photos courtesy of the the Embassy and Danny Weissler (son of the late Manilaner Max Weissler).
