Remembering Heroes from the Holocaust

In a world too often defined by narratives of devastation and animosity, Yad Vashem, the World Holocaust Remembrance Center, stands as a guiding light. It heralds the launch of the "Who Is Your Holocaust Hero?" campaign, inviting the public to reflect on this poignant occasion of Holocaust Martyrs' and Heroes' Remembrance Day. Timed to coincide with the solemn commemoration on May 5-6th, this digital initiative aims to shift our gaze towards stories of heroism, solidarity, and courage—reminding us that even amid the darkness of evil and cruelty, acts of goodness shine brightly.

At the core of Yad Vashem's ethos lies an unwavering commitment to preserving the memory of the Holocaust. Personal stories and eyewitness testimony lie at the heart of this mission. As a whole generation of survivors wane, the responsibility to carry on these stories to the next generation falls to the youth.

The Who Is Your Heroes Project started as an educational project by the International School for Holocaust Studies this past January 27, which engaged hundreds of students from 15 countries. This project allowed for the unique opportunity to create artistic projects inspired by their Holocaust Heroes. After the resounding success of that program, the "Who Is Your Holocaust Hero?" project pivoted and expanded to invite individuals from all walks of life to engage with Holocaust narratives and connect to these accounts on a deeply personal level.

Dani Dayan, Chairman of Yad Vashem, underscores the urgency of this endeavor, emphasizing the irreplaceable void left by the dwindling eyewitness generation.

"Through the power of social media, these stories can transcend geographical boundaries, resonating with audiences worldwide and amplifying the voices of those who bore witness to unspeakable horrors."

Together with the assistance of a Hollywood liaison Lana Melman, author of "Artists Under Fire," Yad Vashem has garnered support from a diverse array of influencers and leaders. Notable figures like Montana Tucker, James Maslow, Mark Pellegrino, Patricia Heaton, President of the Claims Conference Gideon Taylor, Executive Director of the USC Shoah Foundation Robert Williams, Harvard University Professor Emeritus Prof. Alan Dershowitz, British MP Bob Blackman and Canadian Member of the House of Commons Anthony Housefather and BBC broadcast journalist John Ware. This broad coalition underscores the universal relevance of Holocaust remembrance and the imperative to combat rising tides of anti-Jewish hate.

As the world marks another Holocaust Remembrance Day, Yad Vashem's "Who Is Your Holocaust Hero?" project stands as a testament to the enduring power of memory. In a landscape fraught with division and indifference, it serves as a beacon of hope, illuminating stories of courage and resilience that define the human spirit. As we confront the challenges of the present, let us draw inspiration from the heroes of the past, ensuring that their voices echo through the corridors of history for generations to come.

James Maslow stated of his Holocaust Hero Zvi Aviram:

"Despite enduring the darkest days of the Holocaust, Zvi's spirit remained unbroken."

Mark Pellegrino's Holocaust Hero was Shela Altarza. In his video he recalled how,

"Shela suffered in silence while in the concentration camp, [but] in 2015 she light a memorial torch in honor of her family that was murdered, the Jewish community of Štip and the six million…"

Montana Tucker poignantly spoke about how,

"…they [Holocaust survivor grandparents] always made it their mission to make sure that the world never would forget and that nothing like the Holocaust would ever happen again and that is why their mission is now my mission and they will always and forever be my heroes."

John Ware states in his video of his Holocaust Hero Simha Rotem, known as "Kazik":

"For me he [Simha Rotem "Kazik"] embodies the remarkable story of Jewish survival, courage, tenacity, tough-mindedness, resilience.

You too can join Yad Vashem and become an Ambassador of Holocaust Remembrance.