Dear John, 

Saturday, January 27 is International Holocaust Remembrance Day. As we approach this important day, we invite you to help us commemorate the victims of the Shoah.

As the Canadian affiliate of the World Jewish Congress, CIJA has joined that organization in what will be the largest global Holocaust commemoration ever. Join hundreds of thousands around the world who have already participated in the WJC’s #WeRemember campaign.

As the Israel-Hamas war continues into its fourth month, it has never been more important, as a global Jewish community, to mark this important occasion.

It’s easy.

By January 27, take a photo of yourself, your family, or your friends holding a sign that says We Remember and then share it on social media  with the hashtag #WeRemember, tagging @cijainfo and World Jewish Congress (Twitter/X @worldjewishcong |  Instagram @worldjewishcongress). We have prepared social captions for you here.

Many of us know, or have known, Survivors, and we understand the importance of remembrance. Some of us are descended from or know families of Survivors – and how those barbaric and horrific acts against our people continue to influence lives. We also remember, with gratitude, the many families honoured as Righteous Among the Nations for their courage and heroism.

As the number of Survivors decreases, it becomes even more important that the horrors of the Shoah remain in the public consciousness. This year’s events will comprise another important element that will encourage remembrance by many more – in Canada and around the world.

Piloted in 2021 by CIJA in Vancouver, we are delighted that, on this International Holocaust Remembrance Day, dozens of Canadian sites will be illuminated in yellow – evoking candlelight – to honour the victims and Survivors of the Holocaust. Among the many landmarks to be illuminated are the National Holocaust Monument in Ottawa, BC Place in Vancouver,  Niagara Falls, Vaughan City Hall, Edmonton City Hall, the Manitoba Legislature and the CN Tower in Toronto.

The whole country will be watching. And remembering.

As we pass the torch of remembrance to the next generation, please reach out to friends, schools, churches, synagogues, youth organizations, and community leaders to encourage them to watch for the commemorative illuminations across Canada – and participate in the #WeRemember campaign.

Finally, the annual commemoration of International Holocaust Remembrance Day at the National Holocaust Monument in Ottawa will start at 11 a.m. ET on Friday, January 26. The event will feature remarks from Holocaust Survivors, Jewish community leaders, and diplomatic representatives. You can watch the livestream here. 

Together, let us renew our collective vow: Never Again.

Please contact us at [email protected] with any questions. 

The CIJA Team