Posted: May 7, 2024
Written by: Genocide Survivors Foundation
In commemorating Yom HaShoah (Holocaust Remembrance Day) yesterday, Genocide Survivors Foundation (GSF) stands in solidarity with Holocaust survivors and the Jewish community during this deeply painful remembrance period – which is made even more painful this year by the alarming and historic levels of anti-Semitism.
We recognize that there is a lot of pain in the world right now and that too many innocent lives have been cut short, which has caused many of us a level of emotional overwhelm and paralysis too difficult to accurately put into words. But we also strongly believe that this dark period must be met with empathy and a commitment to peace and security for all – not with hate. Hate and extremism only serve to compound existing pain and fears, and undermine steps to peaceful resolutions. We call on people everywhere to resist hate and extremism and to stand up for peace for all.
We are sharing information about upcoming remembrance/commemorative programs. These events are co-organized by GSF, our friends/partners, or by like-minded organizations which share our commitment to fighting racism, anti-Semitism, Islamophobia, xenophobia, and all forms of hate and extremism. Every partner organization, or whose events we are sharing, is deeply focused on preventing genocide and mass atrocity crimes, while promoting peace and security for all.
We recognize that the alarming levels of disinformation, polarization, hate, and extremism not only compound existing pain and fears, but they also obstruct opportunities for difficult but necessary conversations to create a lasting peace. GSF believes that these commemorative and educational programs and conversations are more critical than ever. They are essential to creating a culture of empathy and understanding, which can enable a mutual recognition of our common humanity. That acknowledgement of our shared humanity must bring about a renewed commitment to peaceful coexistence – which in turn must underlie any well-intentioned peace effort.
We invite you to join, attend, and support as many of the programs below as you can. We ask that you help us spread the word about these important events.
Tuesday, May 7th, 2024 at 11AM ET
National Commemoration of the Days of Remembrance
Organized by:The US Holocaust Memorial Museum
More information can be found here: https://www.ushmm.org/online-calendar/event/nacaldorvir0524
Thursday, May 9th, 2024 5:30PM ET
Sound of the Siren: Heeding the Warning Signs of Intolerance, Racism, and New Forms of Antisemitism
Organized by: The New York City Bar Association United Nations Committee
More Information can be found here: https://services.nycbar.org/EventDetail?EventKey=UN050924&WebsiteKey=f71e12f3-524e-4f8c-a5f7-0d16ce7b3314
Saturday, May 11th, 2024 at 1:00PM ET
The 30th Commemoration of the 1994 Genocide Against the Tutsi in Rwanda (Kwibuka30)
Organized by: The Rwandan Community of New York, New Jersey and Connecticut
The program will take place at the Hyatt Place Fort Lee/GWB, New Jersey.
Tuesday, May 14th, 2024 at 1:00PM ET
Intergenerational Legacies of the 1994 Genocide Against the Tutsi in Rwanda III
Organized by: International Center for MultiGenerational Legacies of Trauma (ICMGLT) in partnership with Genocide Survivors Foundation (GSF)
More information can be found here: https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_TKaT-vENQGavjc7hMXY-EA#/registration
May 24th – 26th, 2024
The 30th Commemoration of the 1994 Genocide Against the Tutsi in Rwanda (Kwibuka30) and Second Survivors Reunion
Organized by: IBUKA USA
More information can be found here: https://ibukausa.org
Thursday, June 6th, 2024 at 5PM ET
Legal Issues in the Holocaust and Genocide
Organized by: Wagner College Holocaust Center
More Information can be found here: https://wagner.edu/holocaust-center
August 2nd – 4th, 2024
Voices of Resilience Conference
Organized by: Million Lives Genocide Relief Fund and co-sponsored by Genocide Survivors Foundation (GSF) and the Texas Holocaust, Genocide and Antisemitism Advisory Commission
More information can be found here: https://www.voicesofresilience2024.com