United Nations International Holocaust Memorial Day: Melbourne
Nearly 500 members of the Jewish community, members of Parliament and members of the Consular Corp attended the United Nations Holocaust Memorial Day commemoration on 27 January in the Glen Eira Town Hall. The day of commemoration was established by the UN to recognise the liberation of Auschwitz.
Jennifer Huppert addresses the event
The event was co-hosted by the Jewish Holocaust Centre (JHC) and the Jewish Community Council of Victoria (JCCV) and featured His Excellency Dr Helmut Boeck, Ambassador for Austria as the keynote speaker. Dr Boeck spoke about the importance of remembrance and commemoration.
Keynote speaker Dr Helmut Boeck
A highlight of the evening was a video produced by Robbie Simons with a dozen Holocaust Survivors providing messages, which together presented an overview history of the Holocaust.
Witness testimony was provided by Holocaust Survivor and JHC Survivor Guide Moshe Fiszman. Another Survivor, Mrs Cesia Goldberg was one of the candle lighters on the evening.
A video was presented highlighting the importance of March of the Living in ensuring ongoing remembrance and understanding of the Holocaust through future generations.
Other speakers included Jennifer Huppert, President of JCCV and the JHC Co-Presidents Pauline Rockman and Sue Hampel, and DFAT diplomat and Holocaust historian Dr Lachlan Strahan who spoke about the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA).
