Public figures say 'we remember' ahead of Holocaust Remembrance Day

Thousands take part in a World Jewish Congress social media campaign to remember the Holocaust.

By TAMARA ZIEVE
Updated: JANUARY 24, 2017 10:14
Holocaust survivors take part in a World Jewish Congress photo project for remembrance day. (photo credit: WORLD JEWISH CONGRESS)
Holocaust survivors take part in a World Jewish Congress photo project for remembrance day.
(photo credit: WORLD JEWISH CONGRESS)
Politicians, celebrities and public figures worldwide have got on board with a social media campaign initiated by the World Jewish Congress to raise awareness ahead of International Holocaust Remembrance Day, which will be marked on Friday.
The WJC has asked people around the world to post pictures of themselves holding a sign that reads, “We Remember,” in their language, to Facebook, Instagram or Twitter, alongside the hashtag #WeRemember.
Thus far, over 100,000 people of all ages have taken part, from every continent and in dozens of languages.
They range from schoolchildren in a Holocaust history class in Rwanda to Holocaust survivors in Lithuania, French imam Hocine Drouiche and president of the Central Council of Muslims in Germany, Aiman Mazyek.
Israeli participants include President Reuven Rivlin, Defense Minister Avigdor Liberman, opposition leader MK Isaac Herzog and Yesh Atid leader MK Yair Lapid.
“On the occasion of International Holocaust Remembrance Day, I am proud to take part in this important initiative by the World Jewish Congress, and to join the many thousands of leaders and members of the public from around the world in this single, clear call: #WeRemember. We will not forget,” Rivlin posted on Facebook with a picture of himself holding a sign with the words “We remember” in English and Hebrew.
European politicians have also gotten involved, including Austrian Foreign Minister Sebastian Kurz, German Justice Minister Heiko Maas and Belgian Interior Minister Jan Jambon.
“With the campaign of the World Jewish Congress, we remember the millions of Jews murdered during the Holocaust,” wrote Kurtz in German.
“We have an obligation draw the correct conclusions from the memory of the Holocaust and firmly fight against any form of racism or antisemitism.”
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Dr. Ruth Westheimer, a Holocaust survivor and celebrity sex therapist, is among the participants who posted pictures to Twitter.

“Antisemitism is more prevalent today than it has been at any time since World War II, and bigotry and discrimination still rear their ugly heads all around the world. This is why we all must declare, together, that we remember,” explained WJC CEO Robert Singer.

“The goal is to reach those who don’t know much about the Holocaust, or who might be susceptible to those who deny it entirely, and to remind the world that such horrors could happen again,” he continued.
“Using the tools of social media, we hope to engage the next generation, because soon it will be their responsibility to tell the story and ensure that humanity never forgets. We hope to reach out to millions of people, in honor of each and every victim of the Holocaust.
As the World Jewish Congress, it is our responsibility to speak out and make sure that it never happens again, to anyone or anywhere in the world.”
The organization seeks to gain many more participants by International Holocaust Remembrance Day.
The Auschwitz-Birkenau Memorial and Museum will project photos taken as part of the campaign on Wednesday and Thursday on the Birkenau grounds.