Holocaust Education international

Tel-Aviv commemoration

yvonne58 — Mon, 26 Apr 2010 10:19:21 +0000

2010. április 16-án, a magyarországi Holokauszt Emléknap
alkalmából nagy sikerű irodalmi eseménynek adott otthont a tel
avivi Magyar Nagykövetség.
Itamar Jaoz Kest költővel Chana Yaoz professzor beszélgetett, és
részletek hangoztak el a szerző soá költeményeiből.
Magyar fordításban ?Válogatott költemények? címmel 1989-ben jelent
meg Jaoz Keszt könyve az Európa Kiadó, majd 1998-ban a Múlt és
Jövő Kiadó gondozásában. Költői munkássága mellett számos magyar
szerzőt fordított héberre. 2009-ben a magyar-izraeli diplomáciai
kapcsolatok 20. évfordulója alkalmából antológiát adott ki a
Magyar Nagykövetség támogatásával, amelyben kortárs magyar szerzők
művei is szerepeltek.
Itamar Jaoz Keszt 2001-ben megkapta a Pro Cultura Hungarica
kitüntetést a magyar kultúra és irodalom izraeli terjesztésében
végzett kiemelkedő teljesítményéért.
Az irodalmi program külön vendége volt Shuli Nathan énekesnő, aki
többek között előadta a híres ?Szól a kakas már? című magyar
nyelvű haszid dalt. Natan hosszú évekkel ezelőtt Sebestyén Márta
előadásában hallotta először a dalt, és Itamar Jaoz Kesztet kérte
meg a szerzemény héber fordításának elkészítésére, újbóli
találkozásuk külön hangsúlyt adott a rendezvénynek. Shuli Natan
1967-ben vált ismertté világszerte Yerushalaim shel zahav (Arany
Jeruzsálem) című dalával.

A teltházas rendezvény hatalmas sikert aratott a résztvevők között.

yvonne58 — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 06:55:17 +0000

Hofer László, az MTI tudósítója jelenti:
Washington, 2010. január 26., kedd (MTI) – Két kiállítás, a második világháborúban zsidókat mentő svájci diplomata, Carl Lutz életét bemutató magyar fotódokumentációs tárlat és a magyar roma holokausztot bemutató tablósorozat nyílt hétfőn a washingtoni magyar nagykövetségen a holokauszt nemzetközi emléknapja alkalmából.

“Erkölcsi kötelességünk annak biztosítása, hogy a borzalmas bűntettek nem merülnek feledésbe és nem ismétlődnek meg Európában vagy a világ más részén” – mondta Szombati Béla nagykövet a megnyitón.
Teleki László romaügyi miniszterelnöki megbízott arról beszélt: “a cigány holokauszt emléknapja fontos üzenet kell hogy legyen minden demokratikus pártnak, szervezetnek és személynek, hogy a jövőben egyetlen politikai erő sem építhet a gyűlöletre, a kirekesztésre”. Megjegyezte, hogy Magyarországon nagy mértékben felerősödött a cigány bűnbakképzés, és emberéleteket követelő erőszakos atrocitások történtek. “Fogjunk össze, mi demokraták, és ne engedjük, hogy a történelem megismételje önmagát” – mondta.
Kállai Ernő kisebbségi ombudsman szerint “nem feledkezhetünk meg a múlt bűneiről”. Egy jól működő társadalom folyamatosan felidézi a múltban elkövetett hibákat, és így előzi meg a hasonló szörnyűségek megismétlődését. Hangsúlyozta: a történelem ismétli önmagát, mindig voltak olyan politikai csoportok, amelyek a legvédtelenebb embereket tartották felelősnek a társadalmi gondokért, bűnbakká változtatva őket.
Korózs Lajos, a Szociális és Munkaügyi Minisztérium államtitkára felolvasta Mesterházy Attilának, az MSZP miniszterelnök-jelöltjének üzenetét, amely szerint ma Magyarországon minden felelős politikai erőnek, a szabadság híveinek és valamennyi tisztességes polgárnak “van dolga abban, hogy visszaszorítsa a szélsőségeket”.
“Meg kell állítani őket, mielőtt túl késő lenne, meg kell szabni egy határt, ameddig már nem mehetnek el a radikálisok” – írta levelében, hangsúlyozva, baloldaliként, magyarként és demokrataként egyaránt fontosnak tartja, hogy “tiltsuk meg és szigorúan büntessük a holokauszt és az önkényuralmi rendszerek bűntetteinek tagadását”.
Korózs Lajos ehhez hozzáfűzte: az egykori borzalmas rémtettek végrehajtását a fiatalabb nemzedékek egy meghatározó része tagadja, nemcsak Magyarországon, hanem Európa más országaiban is. A szélsőjobboldali, agresszív, nacionalista nézetek erősödésével ez a tendencia erősödni látszik, “márpedig a nyomasztó múltat elferdíteni, annak kínos részleteit elhallgatni vagy tagadni bűn”.
A megemlékezésen elmondta gondolatait a holokausztot túlélő Charles Gati professzor, és a részvevők között volt a Washingtonban tárgyalásokat folytató Szabó Vilmos külügyi államtitkár is.
A “Carl Lutz és a legendás budapesti Üvegház” című tárlat főszereplője Carl Lutz svájci alkonzul, aki több tízezer magyar zsidót mentett meg a második világháború idején Budapesten a náci koncentrációs táborokba való deportálástól. A vándorkiállítást korábban már bemutatták az ENSZ New York-i székházában, a Los Angeles-i Holokauszt Múzeumban, a washingtoni Kossuth-házban, továbbá a New Brunswick-i Amerikai Magyar Alapítvány múzeumában és a washingtoni szenátus Russell irodaépületében.
“A halál útjai, a porrajmos Magyarországon” című tárlatot – amely 12 tablón idézi fel a porrajmos (roma holokauszt) magyarországi történéseit, a magyar romák elhurcoltatását, a közép-európai táborokban átélt szenvedéseit – egy évvel ezelőtt a New York-i magyar ENSZ-képviseleten állították ki.
A magyar kormány képviselői kedden tárgyalásokat folytatnak az amerikai külügyminisztériumban, szerdán New Yorkban részt vesznek az ENSZ holokauszt megemlékezésén.

Commemoration at the Wallenberg Memorial on the day he disappeared

yvonne58 — Mon, 18 Jan 2010 14:31:29 +0000

January 17.

Commemoration at the gates of the former Budapest ghetto

yvonne58 — Mon, 18 Jan 2010 14:26:18 +0000

Forgács Péter: Col tempo at the Ernst Museum, Budapest

yvonne58 — Sat, 16 Jan 2010 08:57:14 +0000

Gershon Evan telling his story as a Viennese Jew

http://www.ariadnebooks.com/productinfo.aspx?productid=1572410868

http://www.forgacspeter.hu/english/installations/Col+Tempo/76

This girl was uncounsciously playing in the lights projected on to the floor. This is how unconscious the persecuted ones have been then, so many year ago.

How many horrific things are being decided at a table!

The misunse of science!

This is what you can find on the webpage of the Ernst Museum about the exhibit:

http://www.mucsarnok.hu/new_site/index.php?lang=en&t=524&curmenu=103

The COL Tempo -W Project

Between June and November 2009, the Hungarian Pavilion at the 53rd Venice Biennale featured an unconventional installation by media artist Péter Forgács, entitled “Col Tempo” – The W. Project. Produced by curator András Rényi, the work employs photos and films originally made during the Second World War for the purposes of Nazi anthropological research, and now kept in the Museum of Natural History, Vienna. The collection includes thousands of standardized portraits of prisoners of war, guards and Austrians inhabitants, prepared and archived for “scientific” purposes. Forgács’s work, however, does not seek to offer a historical treatment of the material, but demonstrates, through a labyrinthine structure, the many ways in which we can look at a fellow human being. How does the modern viewer look at, consider, misunderstand or comprehend the same pictures in the different contexts provided by art history, history, contemporary art, biography or psychology? Charged with a dramatic power, the work will confront whoever is willing to read the eyes of these persons with moral issues, the lack of historical recollection and the disturbing experience of prejudiced responses in action.

The installation found considerable success in Venice, where it was seen by 200,000 visitors. It was praised by laymen and prestigious professional forums alike, both in Hungary (Artmagazin, Artportál) and abroad (Art in America, Kunstforum). Since few Hungarians had a chance to visit the Giardini, the work will now be on display in Ernst Museum, Budapest.

Interestingly, the works of Erasmus Prize laureate Péter Forgács – particularly his films, which employ historical motion pictures in the service of a deeper understanding, and his avant-garde installations – are better known internationally than in Hungary. Following his Danube Exodus, which toured the world and was recently shown with success in Ludwig Museum, Col tempo is the second “total installation” by Forgács that is certain to attract significant interest locally and internationally.

OSCE rights office, Lithuanian education ministry launch anti-Semitism teaching tools for Lithuanian schools

yvonne58 — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 09:07:11 +0000

http://www.osce.org/odihr/item_1_38611.html

VILNIUS, 2 July 2009 – The OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) and Lithuania’s Ministry of Education and Science today launched a Lithuanian-language version of teaching materials on combating anti-Semitism designed for use in secondary schools.

Lithuania is the third country to adopt the ODIHR teaching materials, after Germany and Poland.

“It is worrying that many different forms of anti-Semitism historically encountered in Europe can still be seen today,” Ambassador Janez Lenarcic, Director of ODIHR, said at the launch event in Vilnius.

He stressed that anti-Semitism is a problem in Lithuanian society, but that education could help reduce it.

“Anti-Semitic sentiment is not only expressed by extremist parties: it is also visible in general public discourse,” he said. “We have the responsibility to educate our youth to democratic, open-minded people who are able to build a society free from intolerance, discrimination and anti-Semitism.”

The teaching materials were developed by ODIHR together with the Anne Frank House in Amsterdam and Lithuanian experts from the Yiddish Institute at the Faculty of History at the Vilnius University.

They have been approved for use in secondary schools by the Lithuanian Ministry of Education and Science.

The Lithuanian teaching tools form part of an international project on combating anti-Semitism by educational means. ODIHR is assisting 12 OSCE participating States with developing customized versions of the teaching materials.

Each country version covers the history and contemporary manifestations of anti-Semitism, and looks at anti-Semitism as a form of discrimination.

Following the launch, professional teacher trainers will attend a two-day training seminar, delivered by the Lithuanian experts involved in the development of the material.

During his visit to Vilnius, Lenarcic also met Foreign Minister Vygaudas Usackas and attended the Annual Session of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly.

Stephen Harper PM Accepts Simon Wiesenthal International Leadership Award

yvonne58 — Tue, 09 Jun 2009 07:42:28 +0000

http://www.pm.gc.ca/eng/media.asp?category=2&id=2602

31 May 2009

Toronto, Ontario

CHECK AGAINST DELIVERY

Good evening ladies and gentlemen.

Thank you Philip for that kind introduction.

I’d like to acknowledge the presence of some important dignitaries with us tonight.

Please welcome the Vice Prime Minister of Israel, Silvan Shalom , and the former Prime Minister of Australia, the Honourable John Howard.

Greetings also to Chairman Schwartz, Rabbi Hier, Avi Benlolo, and the many respected members of the federal and provincial Parliaments who I’m pleased were able to join us this evening.

Ladies and gentlemen.

I’d like to express my sincere gratitude to the Friends of Simon Wiesenthal Centre for choosing to honour me with your Leadership Award this evening.

And I am particularly humbled since your organization’s namesake, Simon Wiesenthal, was a man whose commitment to the principles of freedom, justice and human rights is world-renowned.

The famous “Nazi Hunter” devoted his life to pursuing justice for the Jewish people;
- Tireless in his efforts
- to track down the monsters who perpetrated the Holocaust.

As you know, in April of last year, I visited the Auschwitz death camp, a deeply disturbing experience.

Yet on the plane ride back to Canada, I also reflected on the hopeful things that have emerged from that dark period: the indomitable spirit and strength of the Jewish people, most spectacularly demonstrated in the establishment and growth of the State of Israel, and the widespread recognition today of anti-Semitism for what it is – a pernicious evil that must be exposed, confronted and repudiated whenever and wherever it appear, as it is an evil so profound that it is ultimately a threat to us all.

Our Government, ladies and gentlemen, doesn’t just pay lip service to our support for Israel and the Jewish people.

Our actions and deeds mirror our words, whether they are popular or unpopular at the time.

Under our Government’s leadership, Canada was the first country in the world to withdraw from Durban II, the United Nations anti-Semitic hatefest masquerading as a conference against racism.

When campus radicals harassed Jewish students in Toronto, our Minister Peter Kent forcefully denounced their menacing tactics.

We have taken proactive steps to protect synagogues and other Jewish community facilities at risk for hate-motivated crime.

And this week in Parliament we’ll introduce legislation that will give victims of terrorism the power to obtain just compensation from those responsible for their suffering.

When Hamas formed the government of the Palestinian Authority, refusing to drop its objective to eradicate Israel and its people, Canada was the first country in the world to suspend ties with and assistance to its government.

We have pulled no punches on the menacing actions and malevolent statements of the government of Iran.

And when Israel was beset by a volley of Hezbollah rockets, we unequivocally supported Israel’s right to defend herself.

Because a battle between a democratic state and a terrorist group seeking to destroy it is not a matter of shades of grey – it is a matter right and wrong.

Ladies and gentlemen, I certainly don’t need to tell the people in this room that the age-old hatred of anti-Semitism remains sadly present in our world today.

Rooted in lies and fuelled by paranoia, it is a vile affront to the values that unite all civilized peoples.

Let me be very clear: The Jewish people will always have a steadfast friend and a stalwart defender in our Government.

Not just because hatred is a threat to all of us, but because Canada owes so much to the Jewish people.

In every field of human endeavour, be it the arts, academia, business, or any other endeavour, our country has been immeasurably enriched by your contributions.

Together we are building a better, stronger country.

And together we will continue working to lift the darkness of intolerance and oppression from our world.

Thank you.

Shalom.

European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights: Data in Focus report 2: Muslims

yvonne58 — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 10:56:04 +0000

New FRA report examines discrimination against Muslims: Under-reporting of incidents and lack of trust in public authorities (28/05/2009)

http://fra.europa.eu/fraWebsite/eu-midis/eumidis_details_en.htm

The European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights (FRA) released on Thursday 28 May a report on discrimination against Muslims in the EU. The results for Muslim respondents indicate similarly high levels of discrimination and victimisation as for other minority groups surveyed. Many racist incidents are not reported to the police or to any other organisation. Knowledge of anti-discrimination legislation is low, and there is a lack of trust in complaints mechanisms.
Morten Kjaerum: “Overall, the results suggest that Muslims are treated very differently, dependent on both their ethnic origin and their country of residence. Wearing traditional clothing hardly increases discrimination. Muslims surveyed do not consider religion to be the main reason for their discrimination.” [ Media release ]

http://fra.europa.eu/fraWebsite/attachments/newsletter-jun09_en.pdf

UN seminar on “Cyber Hate: Danger in Cyber Space”

yvonne58 — Fri, 05 Jun 2009 11:58:23 +0000

The United Nations Department of Public Information’s Holocaust and the United Nations Outreach Programme will organize a seminar titled “Cyber Hate: Danger in Cyber Space” from 9:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. on 16 June 2009 in conference room 2 at New York Headquarters. This seminar, to be opened by UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, will explore the impact of hate-related discourse on the Internet, particularly on youth, and ways to counter it.

Kiyo Akasaka, Under-Secretary-General for Communications and Public Information, will welcome keynote speaker Mr. Hemanshu Nigam, Chief Security Officer, News Corporation and MySpace. Mark Weitzman, Director of the Task Force against Hate and Terrorism and Associate Director of Education for the Simon Wiesenthal Center, will present an overview of hate speech on the Internet, including Holocaust denial. The morning session will highlight the effects of cyber hate and cyberbullying on youth and ways to confront the problem, to be presented by the Anti-Defamation League. The afternoon segment will focus on prevention and regulation issues, with a number of experts. The seminar will conclude with a discussion on and delivery of recommendations for safe and responsible dissemination of online information that is respectful of all groups. This event is part of the Unlearning Intolerance Seminar Series, which examines different manifestations of intolerance and explores means to promote respect and understanding amongst people. For information please contact Kimberly Mann at 212-963-6835 or mann@un.org. Registration for non-UN grounds pass holders at unlearningintolerance@un.org.

yvonne58 — Tue, 12 May 2009 09:41:53 +0000

Pope Benedict XVI’s trip to Israel is a historic positive step forward for Vatican-Israel relations and the Catholic-Jewish dialogue.

This important trip reaffirms Pope Benedict’s commitment to continue to strengthen relations between the Vatican and the State of Israel, begun under his predecessor Pope John Paul II. In recent months, Pope Benedict XVI has reconfirmed the Catholic Church’s unqualified repudiation of anti-Semitism and Holocaust denial.

He has taught that Christians should gain a new respect for the Jewish interpretation of the Torah. He has also asserted that God’s covenant and promises to the Jewish people are alive and irrevocable, further demonstrating his belief that Jews are “beloved brothers and sisters.”