We are deeply saddened to learn this morning of an act of vandalism that damaged the New England Holocaust Memorial in downtown Boston overnight. Early today one of the Memorial’s 132 glass panels was shattered in an act of vandalism. Each panel is etched with thousands of numbers representing the infamous tattoos inflected on the arms of many of the six million Jews murdered by … Continue reading CJP/JCRC Statement on New England Holocaust Memorial Vandalism
This Sunday, April 23rd, at 10:30am at Faneuil Hall, we will again come together as one community to commemorate the Holocaust. Each year, as part of this Yom HaShoah program, we recognize the winners of the Israel Arbeiter Essay Contest. Mr. Arbeiter, a Holocaust survivor and a leader in our community, is a passionate advocate for Holocaust education. His story of survival in the face … Continue reading Preserving the Legacy: Join us this Sunday for Yom HaShoah
Last year I wrote about Dr. Robert Berger z’l, a Brookline Holocaust survivor, who had an immeasurable impact on our community and beyond. We were privileged to have him participate in our Yom HaShoah Committee, where he advocated passionately not only for the accurate portrayal of the horrific ordeal endured by Holocaust survivors, but also for teaching about the extraordinary ways in which they successfully rebuilt their lives … Continue reading How We Remember: April 23 is Our Community Holocaust Commemoration of Yom HaShoah
We mourn the loss of renowned Holocaust survivor, accomplished author, and Nobel laureate, Elie Wiesel, z”l. Our community and communities across the globe have lost a champion human rights activist and a moral compass, consistently speaking out against violence, repression, and racism. As news of hate and terror comes all too often, we must remember Wiesel’s words – there may be times when we are … Continue reading JCRC’s Statement on the Death of Elie Wiesel
As a result of community advocacy and various negotiations, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt has dramatically changed course from their original plans to distribute Mein Kampf proceeds to various Boston-area organizations. The proceeds from the sale of the English translation of Mein Kampf will now be used over a multi-year period to provide direct care to Survivors of the Holocaust though a grant to JCRC partner agency Jewish Family … Continue reading Boston Globe: ‘Mein Kampf’ publisher will support Holocaust survivors
This letter was first published in the Boston Globe. MAY 18, 2016 IT IS important to keep “Mein Kampf” in print for teaching and learning purposes, and we support Houghton Mifflin Harcourt in doing so (“Keeping ‘Mein Kampf’ in print,” Opinion, May 9); however, we believe that the publisher is making a grave error in diverting funds from Holocaust education to broader educational efforts. We are … Continue reading ‘Mein Kampf’ proceeds ought to go exclusively to Holocaust education
For some time now we have been experiencing increasing numbers of acts of anti-Semitism in the United States. It has shocked us, especially in recent months as reports of new incidents seem to be a near daily occurrence. We’ve been disturbed here in Boston by multiple acts of anti-Semitic graffiti, including swastikas – at schools in Newton and Georgetown, in towns like Marblehead – and … Continue reading Vulnerability Amidst Rising Anti-Semitism
Last weekend, we participated in Passover seders in what is the most widely observed Jewish experience of the year. Our seders were infinitely varied, from the 30 minute versions, to ones that lasted until dawn; from the child-friendly kind, to those focused on esoteric intellectual debate. What bound them all together was the nature of the storytelling at the center of the seder – the … Continue reading Telling and Retelling Our Story
To honor local survivors of the Holocaust and to pay tribute to those who perished, the Jewish Community Relations Council of Greater Boston (JCRC) and its partners will present From Holocaust to New Life: How Will We Remember?, a community commemoration of Yom HaShoah, on Sunday, May 1, 10:30 A.M. at Faneuil Hall in Boston. The commemoration convenes the Greater Boston community to remember the … Continue reading JCRC of Greater Boston to Present Community Holocaust Commemoration of Yom HaShoah on May 1
In recent months there has been increasing concern regarding anti-Semitism, racism, homophobia and other matters that affect safety, civility and respectful relations in the Newton public schools. In an effort to allow community members to share their concerns and generate constructive discussion, Newton Mayor Setti Warren hosted a community forum on April 7th, which was attended by students, parents and interested community members – … Continue reading Joint Statement of AJC Boston and JCRC Concerning Newton Public Schools – April 11, 2016