Oswiecim, Poland, January 28, 2025:
In a resolute effort to ensure the Holocaust is neither forgotten nor denied, the Conference on Jewish Material Claims Against Germany launched a powerful digital campaign titled “I Survived Auschwitz: Remember This.” Featuring the testimonies of 80 Auschwitz survivors, the campaign was unveiled Monday to coincide with the 80th anniversary of the camp’s liberation.
Over 1.1 million Jews were murdered at Auschwitz, the infamous Nazi death camp in occupied Poland during World War II. Claims Conference President Gideon Taylor emphasized the importance of preserving the memory of these atrocities:
“The horrors that occurred at Auschwitz were an evil that no human should ever endure, but also an evil that no human should ever forget. Educating future generations about Auschwitz connects us through our shared humanity.”
Among the stories shared is that of Jona Laks, a twin survivor of Dr. Josef Mengele’s horrific experiments, who later endured a grueling death march. “I vowed to dedicate all my energy to documenting and sharing what happened,” she said, underscoring the need to keep such history alive.
World Leaders Gather to Commemorate
Monday’s commemoration at the Auschwitz-Birkenau site drew Holocaust survivors and dignitaries from 54 nations, including Britain’s King Charles III, French President Emmanuel Macron, and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz. Survivors like Tova Friedman, one of the youngest liberated from the camp in 1945, reflected on the day’s significance.
“January 27 has always been my true birthday. It’s the day I survived,” she said. Yet, Friedman expressed deep concern over rising antisemitism and hatred, warning, “If we don’t stop, another tragedy could unfold.”
Rising Antisemitism in Modern Times
Recent global events, including the October 7, 2023, attack on Israel by Hamas, have drawn chilling parallels to the Holocaust. Ronald Lauder, a major donor to the Auschwitz-Birkenau Museum, noted: “Five years ago, I spoke about the Holocaust in the past tense. Now, we’re seeing targeted attacks and exclusions reminiscent of history repeating itself.”
In the Netherlands, a government delegation led by King Willem-Alexander and Queen Máxima attended the ceremony, months after an antisemitic incident described as the nation’s first pogrom since the Holocaust. Dutch leaders condemned the violence and joined survivors in calling for vigilance against hatred.
A Call to Action
As survivors’ voices grow quieter with age, the urgency to preserve their testimonies grows louder. Friedman and others issued a collective plea: “We must reignite our conscience to combat hatred and violence today. It’s an immense challenge, but we cannot falter.”
The ceremony concluded with solemn tributes, including the lighting of candles and moments of reflection at Auschwitz’s iconic “gate of death.” Survivors, joined by global leaders, reaffirmed their commitment to ensuring the Holocaust remains a vivid lesson for future generations.
Poland’s President Andrzej Duda encapsulated the day’s message: “We Poles, on whose land the Nazis built this machinery of extermination, are the guardians of memory. We must ensure that the world never forgets.”