International Holocaust Remembrance Day commemorated globally

People across the Hamilton region and the world honoured the six million Jews and millions of others that were murdered during the holocaust.

Seventy-nine years ago, Auschwitz, one of the most notorious Nazi death camps was liberated.

Hundreds of people placed candles at the memorial that stands at the central point of the former concentration camp in Poland, paying their respects to the victims.

“A little girl who wants to be a ballerina. Or a little boy who wants to be a firefighter. A mother of six children who now has to pack those children and run away. To me, the history of the holocaust is the history of individuals like that.”

All 11 of Anna Shternis’ grandmother’s siblings were murdered when the Germans invaded their village.

“Russian Jews like myself, we’re all products of miracle,” says Anna.

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Recognizing the extraordinary courage of victims and survivors is this year’s United Nations theme for holocaust remembrance. It marks a time of commemoration during the conflict.

“Today is more important than ever, especially in the wake of the October 7th Hamas attacks,” said U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres.

Anti-Semitism and other forms of hate have seen a sharp increase in the last few months.

During WW2, six million Jews were brutally targeted and murdered. Millions more Slavz, Poles, Romani, and disabled people were systematically killed.

On Sunday, the Hamilton Jewish Federation will host a community commemoration at City Hall.

It’s an opportunity to stand in solidarity with those affected by a dangerous rise in anti-Semitism.

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