Major buildings and government institutions around the world are being illuminated Monday with the slogan #WeRemember to mark International Holocaust Remembrance Day. It is a new initiative of the World Jewish Congress' international #WeRemember campaign as part of a massive education project in which the WJC works jointly with UNESCO, the United Nations' Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization.
The International Day of Commemoration in memory of the victims of the Holocaust takes place each year on January 27 to commemorate the six million Jews murdered in the Holocaust, as set by the United Nations.
"Eighty years after the liberation of Auschwitz, the Holocaust remains the defining warning of where hatred and intolerance can lead," said Ron Lauder, president of the World Jewish Congress.
The campaign has been going on for a decade, but due to recent events and circumstances, this year it is receiving special attention. This is due to, among other things, the significant increase in antisemitic incidents and violent attacks against Jews, specifically since the Hamas attack on October 7. As in previous years, the campaign will include extensive activity on social media alongside the lighting of buildings around the world.
In Israel, the Azrieli Towers, the Walls of Jerusalem, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Tel Aviv City Hall and Teddy Stadium in Jerusalem are being illuminated, among others. Other buildings around the world include New York City Hall, the EU headquarters in Brussels, the Reichstag in Berlin, and the Swiss Parliament.
Throughout the week, individuals, leaders of governments, political institutions, sports clubs and other groups have posted photos of themselves holding a sign with the words "We Remember" and using the hashtag #WeRemember. Over the years, tens of thousands of people have taken part in the campaign, including heads of state, CEOs, and celebrities. Many Israelis, including President Herzog, Gal Gadot, Noa Tishby, Bar Refaeli, Maya Wertheimer, and Mark Ivanir, have also taken part in the campaign. This year, too, leading sports leagues from Israel and around the world are expected to take part in the project.
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As part of the campaign, TikTok, Instagram and Facebook are directing users to the www.aboutholocaust.org website, which was established by the initiative of the World Jewish Congress and UNESCO to provide vital information about the history of the Holocaust and its legacy. This has led to millions of people being exposed to the website and its contents to this day.
"In a time when the horrors of genocide are being trivialized or distorted, it is more urgent than ever to remind the world of the lessons that can be learned from this atrocity. This anniversary is not just a moment to reflect but a call to action," Lauder said.