Holocaust

A Light that Will Never Go Out: Am Yisrael Chai

Claire Shimberg
This week, we mark Yom HaShoah (April 15-16) -- Holocaust Remembrance Day -- a day when Jewish communities gather together to commemorate the day through worship, music and stories from survivors and lighting yellow candles as symbol of the living memories of the victims. Yom HaShoah is a time to remember and reflect. It is also a time to also recommitment ourselves to fighting bigotry and anti-Semitism. And, for me, Yom HaShoah is a time to think about the notion of Jewish peoplehood.

Rabbi David Saperstein Honored with Inaugural Anne Frank Award

On Wednesday, September 17, in a ceremony held in the Member's Room of the Library of Congress, attended by ambassadors, Members of Congress, religious leaders, and others, Ambassador Rudolf Bekink of the Netherlands presented Rabbi David Saperstein, Director of the Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism, with the inaugural Anne Frank Award for Human Dignity and Tolerance. The honor acknowledges those who have worked to "confront intolerance, anti-Semitism, racism, and discrimination while upholding freedom and equal rights."

"The Netherlands and the United States have been friends for more than 400 years, in part because both our nations share a respect for justice and human rights," Ambassador Bekink said after the ceremony. "Rabbi Saperstein has dedicated his life to confronting intolerance and anti-Semitism, upholding human rights, and helping people of different backgrounds understand each other. I can think of no one better qualified to receive the inaugural Anne Frank Award for Human Dignity and Tolerance."

Anti-Semitism: Holocaust Reparations

Holocaust Reparations Reparations and restitution for the victims of the Holocaust and their heirs are, after decades of delay, addressed in a variety of forums. In 1933, Jewish assets were confiscated, art collections were looted, and bank accounts were seized under Hitler's Nazi regime.