On the occasion of Holocaust Remembrance Day and following the increase in manifestations of anti-Semitism around the world, a delegation of dozens of ambassadors of European Union countries to Israel, led by Dimitri Tzanchev, the European Union Ambassador to Israel, arrived for an event of identification and solidarity at the Haredi Holocaust Institute 'Ganzech Kiddush Hashem' in the city of Bnei Brak.
The special event, hosted by media personality Sivan Rahav Meir, was opened by Bnei Brak Mayor Hanoch Seibert, the son of a Holocaust survivor, who recounted to the ambassadors the story of his father's rescue from the clutches of the Nazis during the Holocaust, and his family's resurrection in the Land of Israel.
Deputy Minister Uri Maklev, who is in charge of the Authority for the Rights of Holocaust Survivors in the Prime Minister's Office, noted that what preceded the Holocaust and what led to the Holocaust was anti-Semitism and incitement against the Jews. "Today, anti-Semitism comes from organized groups in various countries in Europe, and this must be fought against and eradicated, creating the right atmosphere, education and information against the anti-Semitism that is rising in Europe these days, and not giving it any legitimacy," the deputy minister told the ambassadors of the countries and emphasized that spirit and faith are what sustained the Jews during the Holocaust.
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The keynote speaker at the event, the European Union Ambassador to Israel, Dimitri Tzanchev, said: "The Holocaust is a dark stain that will not be erased from the history of our continent, and we, as representatives of the European Union and its member states, see it as our sacred duty to ensure that the brutal murder of six million Jewish men, women and children is never forgotten.".
The ambassador said that after the terrible events of October 7, and the wave of anti-Semitism that swept across Europe and other parts of the world, the European Union accelerated the implementation of the EU Strategy to Combat Anti-Semitism and Foster Jewish Life. The comprehensive plan includes almost 100 initiatives, 74 of which have already been launched, and aims to ensure that Jews in Europe can live their lives freely.
Rachel Yod, chairwoman of the board of the 'Ganzech Kiddush Hashem', told the ambassadors: "I call on you, honorable ambassadors, to join hands with us in our holy and important mission. To cooperate with us in preserving the memory of the Jewish communities that were in Europe, and that are a glorious part of the history of your countries.".
In her remarks, Yod mentioned the connection between Holocaust remembrance and the fight against anti-Semitism that is currently erupting around the world, "a history of rich culture, fascinating literature that we use to this day, of poetry, music, of the ancient beauty of Europe. Beauty that was and is no longer. But here in Israel, ultra-Orthodox society preserves it, alongside Jewish and universal values that we instill among the youth and join in your fight against anti-Semitism.".
The Chairman of the Board of Directors personally invited each of the ambassadors to come and visit for a personal impression of the Institute's extensive educational activities, with the aim of thinking about how to leverage and expand the activities for the benefit of important and shared goals.
During the event, Consul and former MK Colette Avital, Chairwoman of the Center for Holocaust Organizations in Israel, presented to the delegation the unique Holocaust memory of the Haredi community.
The ambassadors visited the Righteous Among the Nations exhibition displayed at the Archives, guided by Aryeh Hendler, along with Holocaust survivor Michael Urich, and heard from Rebbetzin Esther Perbstein, a pedagogical consultant and historian, and Holocaust survivor Nadia Horowitz, about the power of the Haredi woman in the Holocaust.
The event concluded with a moving performance of the "Kel Mela Rachamim" prayer performed by Cantor Israel Adler, and the lighting of memorial candles in memory of the six million by Rabbi David Skolsky, Chairman of the Kiddush Hashem Archive, who directed the institute for decades.
The ambassadors who participated in the event said that they were very excited to participate in the event and to see the special focus of 'The Treasure of the Holy Grail' on the way Jews preserved their religious traditions and commandments during the Holocaust.
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