Did you know it has been 80 years since the liberation of Auschwitz?
With Yom HaShoah – Holocaust Remembrance Day – approaching on Wednesday, April 23 through Thursday, April 24, the Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia remains committed to ensuring that the community never forgets about the Holocaust and that history doesn't repeat itself.
"As a third-generation survivor, observing Yom HaShoah remains a profoundly personal journey that connects me to my family's legacy of survival," said Jason Holtzman, chief of the Jewish Federation's Jewish Community Relations Council. “In 2025, amid rising global antisemitism, Holocaust remembrance is not just about looking back, but about standing vigilant against hatred in all its forms.”
See below for three actionable steps and ways to preserve the memory of the past and commit to a better future.
Attend an Event
On April 27, attend the 61st annual Philadelphia Holocaust Remembrance Ceremony at Horwitz-Wasserman Holocaust Memorial Plaza. Join local community members to remember the victims of the Holocaust, honor the Survivors and ensure that Greater Philadelphia never forgets about the atrocities of the past. The ceremony will include candle lighting, music and prayers. You can register for this event by clicking here.
Take Action
With the Holocaust still in living memory and antisemitism on the rise, advocating for Jewish lives and safety is paramount. One of the first steps to this is agreeing to what constitutes antisemitism. The Antisemitism Awareness Act would require the Department of Education to adopt the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) definition of antisemitism, the gold standard that has already been adopted by 1,200 entities including 45 countries and hundreds of municipal governments and universities. This bipartisan bill ensures that educational institutions are better prepared to respond when antisemitic incidents cross the line into unlawful behavior. Take action now by clicking here to urge Congress to pass the Antisemitism Awareness Act to protect Jewish students while preserving First Amendment rights.
Give Back
Right now, the world’s remaining Holocaust Survivors face disproportionate rates of poverty and food insecurity, many being forced to choose between heating their homes and buying food, or between medication and home repairs. The Jewish Federation provides funding for organizations to address the holistic needs of Holocaust Survivors and leads initiatives to educate, commemorate and advocate on and about the Holocaust. You can support this work to ensure Holocaust Survivors live out their lives in dignity and their stories are never forgotten by making a donation here.