Joan Shapero & Steven Albin
Co-Chairs, '06 Holocaust Education Week
Ada Wynston
Chair, Holocaust Remembrance Committee
Dr. Michael Grand
Chair, R.J.C.O
Lorraine Sandler
Chair, Holocaust Centre of Toronto
David Engel
Chair of the Board, UJA Federation
Mayor David Miller
City of Toronto
Mayor Hazel McCallion, C.M.
City of Mississauga
Mayor William F. Bell
Town of Richmond Hill
Mayor Michael Di Biase
City of Vaughan
Mayor W. Donald Cousens
Town of Markham
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On behalf of the 2006 Holocaust Education Week organizing
committee and its partners and sponsors, we are very proud to invite
you to this year's informative and inspiring event.
We are aware that antisemitism has continued to raise its ugly
head in Canada and abroad. In the midst of these difficulties, our
organizing committee, together with the Jews and non-Jews we work
with, are confident that our educational efforts will help change the
world for the better. Together we are opposed to hate mongers who
seek to deny the Holocaust and spread intolerance of others.
Our committee and those who help bring Holocaust Education Week
to the community, are religious and secular, representing Jews and
non-Jews of all backgrounds and denominations. The fact that we all
work together for this program is demonstrative of our common
belief that remembrance and study of the Holocaust are powerful and
unifying forces for positive change. We thank the very dedicated
committee members and Mary Siklos, event coordinator, for all their
efforts and commitment to this important project.
Your attendance will honour the memory of the men, women, and
children who perished in the Holocaust. You will also gain insight
into the lives of those who survived. Their personal testimonies
enrich our lives; we thank them for their strength.
It is education that will combat the various forms of intolerance
that regrettably still persist in our world. If the Holocaust has
taught us anything, it is that evil must be resisted in its early
stages; that we always have choices and that there can be no
place for racism and antisemitism in a civilized society. Let us
heed the words of the philosopher George Santayana - "those
who do not learn from history are condemned to repeat it."
JOAN SHAPERO & STEVEN ALBIN
Co-Chairs, 2006 Holocaust Education Week
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 The Christian-Jewish Dialogue of Toronto
The Holocaust Remembrance Committee of Christian-
Jewish Dialogue of Toronto has again had the opportunity
and pleasure to work with churches in and around the
Greater Toronto Area. We have reached out to new ones and
are happy to say that we were successful. It always gives us
a great sense of satisfaction that churches and synagogues
are co-sponsoring various programs, a sign that dialogue
is and will always be very important.
We especially welcome several Christian high schools
that are participating for the first time. We must educate
the youth of Canada, as it will become their mandate to
continue the work we have done for so many years. We
invite you to participate in as many programs as you
can, and, if you are interested in joining our committee,
feel free to contact us.
ADA WYNSTON
Chair, Holocaust Remembrance Committee
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 Regional Jewish Communities of Ontario
The Regional Jewish Communities of Ontario (RJCO) is proud
to participate once again in the 26th Annual Holocaust
Education Week. Our mandate includes education and a
commitment to the quality of Jewish life in our diverse
communities across Ontario. Indeed, all of the programs we
offer are a direct result of the passion and interest of our
community members and our professional staff.
Through our partnerships with the Holocaust Education
Week Committee, the UJA Federation Holocaust Centre of
Toronto, and our many volunteers and community leaders,
we are able to provide effective Holocaust education programs
that bring together members of our Jewish communities
with members of the wider community. In this way, we
continue to renew, invigorate, and promote a Canadian society
built upon the values of respect and understanding.
Holocaust Education Week provides us
with an important opportunity to do so.
I encourage and welcome all members of
our communities to participate in this
year's roster of educational events.
DR. MICHAEL GRAND
Chair, Regional Jewish Communities of Ontario
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 As we prepare to go to print with this 2006 Holocaust Education Week
Program, the tension still permeates the northern border of Israel. More
than one million Israelis are struggling to recover from destructive rockets
sent by Hezbollah, a terrorist organization dedicated to Israel's destruction.
Our hearts are pained. The vulgar and venomous rhetoric that emanates
from Iran is evocative of vitriol heard in 1938. Our antennae are alert.
As you read this brochure, you will notice that the shortened and very intense program
takes care to provide the community with a diverse, thoughtful array of issues with
which the Shoah will always confront us. It is important to remind ourselves to forever be
vigilant, that the events in Europe that spiraled into genocide also began with words.
It is with this awareness that we trust our programs will
interest all sectors of our community, both Jewish and
non-Jewish. We are also taking many more programs
into schools. We continue to find ways to help students
understand that a democratic and civil society is the
responsibility of each of us, and there is no place for
bigotry, racism and antisemitism in our midst.
Congratulations to Steven Albin and Joan Shapero,
who have worked together superbly with their
committee, to create this remarkable event. I ask
you to honour the memory of the millions who
perished and those who survived by attending as
many programs as possible. Encourage your adult
children and other members of your family to do
likewise. This program and the memories it recalls
are truly worth your support.
LORRAINE SANDLER
Chair, UJA Federation Holocaust Centre of Toronto
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It's hard to believe that we are now entering the 26th year of
Holocaust Education Week, an event that has grown in leaps
and bounds since its humble beginnings more than a quarter
century ago.
Looking at this year's schedule, I am extremely gratified to see a
number of new venues hosting many of our programs, including
various Catholic Secondary Schools, which will ensure that the
horrors of the Holocaust are taught to even more of our non-Jewish
friends who will sit alongside members of the Jewish community.
This year programs will be made available to a wider audience
than ever before, with many small towns across - and outside - of
the Greater Toronto Area, from Kingston to Sudbury, hosting
events.
Under the guidance of this year's Co-Chairs, Steven Albin and Joan
Shapero, and with the ongoing commitment and vision of Lorraine
Sandler, Chair of the UJA Federation Holocaust Centre of Toronto,
participants in this year's event will have the opportunity to hear
directly from a number of compelling and articulate survivor
speakers whose emotional stories and recollections will surely put
a human face to this terrible tragedy.
The horrors of the Shoah - the defining moment of the 20th century
- must be both taught and remembered, not only by historians, but
by all of us, especially our young people, Jews and non-Jews alike.
To that end, I am certain that this year's Holocaust Education Week
promises to deliver unforgettable experiences to
all who take part.
DAVID ENGEL
Chair of the Board, UJA Federation of Greater Toronto
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Mayor David Miller
Proclamation
WHEREAS, it is important that we honour the memory of the men, women
and children who perished in the Holocaust.
In order to avoid a repetition of history, it is our duty to continue to educate
our children about the lessons of the past and instill in them a deeper
understanding of their responsibility for the future.
Only through understanding, remembrance and education of the
Holocaust can awareness be heightened and racism and prejudice
eliminated.
NOW THEREFORE, I, Mayor David Miller on behalf of Toronto City Council,
do hereby proclaim November 1 - 9, 2006 as 'Holocaust Education Week'
to increase public awareness and develop a deeper understanding of
our responsibility for the future.
Sincerely,
MAYOR DAVID MILLER
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City of Mississauga
Office of the Mayor
On behalf of the residents and members of Council of the
City of Mississauga, I am pleased to extend greetings to
the Holocaust Centre of Toronto on the occasion of the
26th Annual Holocaust Education Week.
The tragedy of the Holocaust is one that we should never
forget. The resulting United Nation's Universal Declaration
of Human Rights in 1948 has reinforced the view that every
individual has the right to life, liberty and security of person,
and individuals, cultures or ethnic groups should not suffer
at the hands of another ever again. I commend the Holocaust
Centre of Toronto for providing programs for youth in the
City of Mississauga.
As Canada's sixth largest city, Mississauga has become home
to many from around the world. Canada is seen as a place of
harmony, safety and acceptance. It is my hope
that we all continue to strive for peace
and co-operation for all mankind.
Sincerely,
HAZEL MCCALLION, C.M.
MAYOR
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Town of Richmond Hill
Office of the Mayor
On behalf of the Town of Richmond Hill, its residents, staff and
members of Council, I am most pleased to express our full support
of the 26th Holocaust Education Week.
Six million Jewish men, women and children perished during the
Holocaust. It was a horror which should never be repeated and must
never be forgotten. Holocaust Education Week is designed to promote
and increase awareness and, in this regard, many programs will be
taking place at synagogues, churches, libraries, schools and
community centres throughout our community.
We are proud and honoured to commend UJA Federation of
Greater Toronto for initiating these programs. In remembering
the past, the Federation educates for the future in the hope
that we will all enjoy eternal peace.
Sincerely,
WILLIAM F. BELL
MAYOR
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City of Vaughan
Office of the Mayor
On behalf of the Members of Council, I would like to
extend the City of Vaughan's support for Holocaust
Education Week in the Greater Toronto Area. The
programs presented to students and adults are invaluable
and must continue if we are going to learn from the
atrocities of the past and, therefore, ensure that we live
by the motto "Never again."
What once began as a program for Toronto residents has
now blossomed to become Ontario wide. I am proud that
the City of Vaughan is again involved with several programs
this week. I urge everyone to participate in as many events
and programs as possible and to share their experiences
with their family and friends.
It is by increasing awareness of the past when six million
people were murdered that we can strive towards greater
racial and religious harmony in the future.
Sincerely,
MICHAEL DI BIASE
MAYOR
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Town of Markham
Office of the Mayor
On behalf of Council and the Town of Markham, I am honoured
to show our support for Holocaust Education Week, coordinated
by the UJA Federation Holocaust Centre of Toronto.
In memory of all those who perished in the Holocaust, it is
our duty to continue to educate our children and raise public
awareness to develop a deeper understanding of our responsibility
for the future.
We continue to read in our daily newspapers of atrocities throughout
the world in the name of race and/or religion. We must not
ignore the lessons of the past. With renewed resolve, let us strive
to eliminate discrimination in our communities and our lives.
Together we can make a difference.
Yours Sincerely,
W. DONALD COUSENS
MAYOR
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