Dr. Miriam and Sheldon G. Adelson
07 December 2011
Dr. Miriam and Sheldon G. Adelson have announced their continued strategic support of Yad Vashem’s educational activities. The Adelsons announced a $25 million donation at the 30th anniversary dinner of the American Society for Yad Vashem in New York. The donation renews their unwavering commitment to Yad Vashem and continues the strategic partnership that began in 2006 with a previous $25 million gift. The combination of the Adelsons’ two $25 million contributions makes their gift the largest, by far, ever received by Yad Vashem from a private donor.
The Adelsons’ donation has allowed for significant expansion of the educational seminars and teacher training programs of Yad Vashem's International School for Holocaust Studies. Over the past five years, thousands of non-Jewish educators and opinion shapers from dozens of countries including Spain, Greece, Hungary, Serbia and Estonia have received training at Yad Vashem. Additionally, for the first time ever, university professors and teachers from China, Moroccan Berber educators and Muslim Tarter teachers from Russia have participated in special educational programs at the International School. During the seminars, which range from 10-21 days, participants have the opportunity to hear from top educators and historians about various topics related to the Holocaust, including the “Final Solution”, the Righteous Among the Nations, the Holocaust in an age of genocide, antisemitism, and how to meaningfully teach the Holocaust in the classroom. Additionally, participants meet Holocaust survivors and experience extended tours of Yad Vashem and Israel.
In expressing the institution’s gratitude, Yad Vashem Chairman Avner Shalev said:
“I am very grateful to our dear friends Dr. Miriam and Sheldon G. Adelson for this extraordinary gift because of its focus on teaching teachers from throughout the world, which today is the most effective way to implement æëåø (zachor), our obligation of preserving the memory of the Holocaust. Thanks to the Adelsons, in the past years, we have seen the number of educators from around the world attending Yad Vashem seminars increase exponentially.”
Dr. Adelson said:
“We have seen the incredible impact of Yad Vashem seminars on educators of all backgrounds over the past 5 years. We look to these educators to bring the lessons of the Shoah to their students. We are proud to partner with Yad Vashem to ensure the continuation of its vital educational activities. We encourage others to join us in supporting Yad Vashem in its crucial work.”
Yad Vashem’s educational programs, as well as its archives, museums and exhibitions, research, and commemoration activities are made possible largely thanks to the continued generosity of friends and supporters throughout the world.
