23 September 2002
On the occasion of its 20th anniversary, the American Society for Yad Vashem will be honored at Yad Vashem in Jerusalem on September 25 with an inauguration ceremony of the Commemorators’ Path dedicated to the American Society in the presence of H.E. Mr. Daniel Kurtzer, US Ambassador to Israel and Mr. Ehud Olmert, Mayor of Jerusalem and a special evening in the Valley of the Communities in the presence of Ms. Limor Livnat MK, Israel Education Minister.
A Certificate of Honor will be awarded to the American Society for its longstanding commitment to Yad Vashem and Holocaust remembrance.
Twenty years have passed since a few Holocaust survivors, led by Eli Zborowski, gathered to form what is now the American Society for Yad Vashem. Today the Society boasts more than 40,000 members throughout the United States, all committed to the cause of Holocaust remembrance. Over the years, the American Society has worked in partnership with Yad Vashem, the Holocaust Martyrs’ and Heroes’ Remembrance Authority in Jerusalem, aiding in education, commemoration, research, capital improvement, and special projects.
To date, the American Society has contributed to the construction of the new Museum Complex due to open in 2004, which will include the Holocaust History Museum, a Museum for Holocaust Art, an Exhibition Pavilion, a new Hall of Names, a Visual Center, a Learning Center, and a Synagogue; the new Entrance Plaza and Visitors’ Center (Mevoah) slated to open at the end of 2002; the International School for Holocaust Studies, the only school of its kind in the world, which was officially opened in December 1999; the Valley of the Communities, dedicated in 1992; the Children’s Memorial in 1987; and the Memorial to the Jewish Soldiers, which was dedicated in 1983.
