KRAKÓW – From January 24 to 27, the World
Jewish Congress (WJC) Elevate led a delegation of 40 members, spanning 24
countries in six continents, to Kraków, Poland to honor the 80th anniversary of
the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau. The delegation, comprising
representatives from WJC NextGen and the WJC Jewish Diplomatic Corps, engaged
in meaningful discussions with Holocaust survivors and addressed critical
issues shaping the Jewish future. The dialogue also reflected on the
significance of preserving Holocaust memory in the aftermath of the October 7 massacre,
underscoring the urgency of combating antisemitism and safeguarding Jewish
heritage.
After a guided tour of the Auschwitz-Birkenau
concentration camp, the group welcomed Shabbat with a welcoming dinner with the
Jewish Community of Kraków. The next day, Holocaust survivor Jona Laks
shared her harrowing testimony, recounting her experiences as a child in
Auschwitz and emphasizing the importance of educating future generations about
the atrocities she witnessed.
Elevate members then
broke out into collaborative discussions on various pressing issues facing the
Jewish world. Breakout sessions were led by WJC leading experts such as Ernest
Herzog, Head of Combating Antisemitism, Intelligence & Security; Daniel
Radomski, Head of WJC Strategy & Programs; and WJC Jewish Diplomatic
Corps members Ira Rosensaft (Germany) and Alex Ryvchin
(Australia), co-CEO of the Executive Council of Australian Jewry. There, the
speakers spoke about the most pressing issues facing the Jewish community
today, ranging from the threat of Iran to strengthening Zionism within Jewish
communities.
The following day began
with a private preview screening of “The Last Twins of Auschwitz,” before an
insightful discussion, led by Professor Dina Porat, on what Holocaust
legacy looks like in the aftermath of the October 7 terror attacks in Israel,
and another session, on the perspectives of the perpetrators, led by Mr.
Laurence Rees.
WJC President Ronald
S. Lauder and the Auschwitz-Birkenau Memorial Foundation, of which Amb.
Lauder also serves as chair and who has dedicated decades to preserving the
site, hosted a dinner with the survivors of Auschwitz-Birkenau. At the end of
the trip, WJC Elevate embarked on a walking tour of what remains of the 1942 Kraków
Ghetto, before attending the 80th Anniversary Commemoration of the
Liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau to honor the memory of the Holocaust victims,
highlight the enduring importance of Holocaust education, and underscore the
unwavering commitment to combating antisemitism and hatred.