The Holocaust Remembrance Day serves as a reminder of the dangers of extremism and racism and the importance of speaking out against hate and intolerance. Today, Holocaust education and remembrance efforts help ensure that the lessons of the Holocaust are passed on to future generations. It is important to remember the Holocaust and to learn from the past so that we can work to create a more just and compassionate world.
The Holocaust, also known as the Shoah, was the systematic extermination of approximately six million Jews by the Nazi regime during World War II. The Nazis, led by Adolf Hitler, believed that the Jews were an inferior race and sought to eliminate them from Europe.
The persecution of Jews in Germany began in 1933, soon after Hitler came to power. Jews were stripped of their rights and businesses and were increasingly isolated from the rest of society. In September 1935, the Nuremberg Laws were passed, which further institutionalized the persecution of Jews by denying them German citizenship and the right to marry non-Jews.
In 1941, Hitler ordered the extermination of the Jews to begin in earnest. Jews were rounded up and sent to ghettos, where they were forced to live in overcrowded and unsanitary conditions. From there, they were sent to concentration camps, and subjected to forced labor, starvation, disease, and inhumane medical experiments. Many were also sent to extermination camps, where they were murdered in gas chambers.
The Holocaust was not limited to Jews. The Nazis also targeted other groups, including homosexuals, Romani people, people with disabilities, and political opponents. It is estimated that the Holocaust resulted in the deaths of six million Jews and millions of others.
The atrocities of the Holocaust were not fully revealed until the end of World War II when the Allies liberated the concentration camps. The world was shocked by the scale and brutality of the Holocaust, and the international community vowed never to let such a tragedy happen again.
Take Action:
- Additional online resources from the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum will help you learn more about the Holocaust and research your family history.
- Get tickets for International Holocaust Remembrance Day: "Filmmakers For The Prosecution" Screening Discussion
- Join Jewish Explored, a program of JEWISHColorado virtually on January 27th from 5:00-5:45 pm for Shabbat blessings, singing & dancing, and to welcome in and celebrate Shabbat together from the comfort of your home.
- 13 Important Books about the Holocaust
- Attach is the 2023 Holocaust Rememberance Day design elements to your email signature and/or use it in your social media
For additional education and personal development related to diversity, equity and
inclusion, the following resources are available: DEI Education and Resources, DEI & Antiracism Resources from the UNC Libraries, the Education Equity Toolkit from the Colorado Department of Higher Education, and the UNITE workshops for faculty, staff, and students.
