International Holocaust Remembrance Day
We take somber note of the reality that in 1933 Europe contained the world's largest Jewish community. Until that time, Progressive Jews participated actively and productively in European society, adding much to the quality of life in science, art, music, medicine, law, teaching, commerce and many other fields. In the ensuing 12 years, six million Jews were wiped out, and the people of the world -- with many laudable exceptions -- watched in silent assent. With a deep sense of reverence, the World Union for Progressive Judaism, representing 1.8 million Jews in 1,200 communities and 47 countries around the world, joins the United Nations in marking International Holocaust Remembrance Day on January 27, 2012. No commemoration can atone for the horrors perpetrated against the Jews of Europe during that period. The Hitler regime brutally ended the lives of two out of every three European Jews. 4/5 of Europe's rabbis and communal leaders perished. And now, with unflagging determination, the World Union for Progressive Judaism is working to rebuild meaningful Jewish life -- community by community -- in Europe and around the world. For us, each Jewish community that grows from the soil once parched and purged of Jewish life is truly a miracle. For us, each child that grows to find his or her way to a proud Jewish identity is -- in the words of the prophet Zechariah -- "אוד מוצל מאש -- a brand plucked from the fire." (Zechariah 3:2) Because of our sad and inextricable connection to the Shoah, the World Union for Progressive Judaism applauds the efforts of the United Nations to commemorate the horrors of the Holocaust. We encourage all people everywhere to pause on January 27 to remember the depths of evil to which humanity can descend. We also urge people to ponder on this day examples of the heights of goodness toward which human beings can reach and resolve to emulate them at every opportunity.
Rabbi Stephen Lewis Fuchs President
Michael Grabiner Chair
Dr. Philip Bliss Vice-Chair and Chair of Advocacy Task Force
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