November 1-11, 2009 I am deeply honoured to extend my heartfelt greetings to all those participating in the 29th annual Holocaust Education Week. Six decades have passed, but the painful lessons of the Holocaust continue to affect survivors, families and all the compassionate people who confront the horrors of this dark period for mankind.  The systematic persecution and annihilation of millions of European Jews and other victims must never be forgotten.  Vigilance, remembrance and education are essential to honour the memory of the victims and survivors of the Shoah. We must resist viewing the Holocaust as a strictly historical event.  The seeds of hatred that spawned this brutality are still germinating in parts of the world.  Free and democratic societies such as Canada have a moral obligation to unequivocally condemn ideologies of hatred, anti-Semitism and tyranny whenever and wherever they occur.  To this end, earlier this year Canada was proud to achieve full membership in the Task Force for International Cooperation on Holocaust Education, Remembrance and Research.  Together with twenty-seven member nations, we have pledged a commitment to teach future generations the lessons of the Holocaust. I would like to commend all those involved in Holocaust Education Week, the UJA Federation Holocaust Centre of Toronto, as well as this week’s guest speakers, for their crucial role in ensuring young Canadians learn the important lessons of the past. On behalf of the Government of Canada, please accept my best wishes for a thought-provoking and enlightening week. Sincerely, The Rt. Hon. Stephen Harper, P.C., M.P. Prime Minister of Canada

November 1-11, 2009 On behalf of the Government of Ontario, I wish to extend greetings to everyone participating in the 29th annual Holocaust Education Week, organized by the Holocaust Centre of Toronto, UJA Federation. Holocaust Education Week provides Ontarians with an opportunity to reflect on one of the darkest moments in human history and the lessons we can continue to learn from it.  The thought-provoking educational and cultural activities planned this year not only pay tribute to those who so tragically perished in the Holocaust and honour those who survived it, but they also impel us to renew our resolve to ensure that such tragedy never happens again. The Holocaust serves as an enduring reminder of our obligation – as a society and as individuals – to be vigilant against all forms of hatred and intolerance, and to embrace inclusiveness and diversity.  I commend everyone taking part in Holocaust Education Week for your commitment to a caring and compassionate society, one in which we protect the rights and dignity of every citizen. I would like to thank all the hard-working organizers and volunteers who have devoted so much time and energy to making this year’s Holocaust Education Week possible. Please accept my best wishes. Dalton McGuinty Premier

It's hard to imagine, but this year, Holocaust Education Week, sponsored by the Sarah and Chaim Neuberger Holocaust Education Centre on Sherman Campus turns 29. Ironically, as each year passes, the importance of this remarkable annual Ontario-wide educational event increases as those who witnessed, first-hand, the atrocities of the Shoah, also continue to age, many of them passing away. The stories and painful memories shared by our community’s survivors are key in passing on the lessons of history.  Without those stories, who will continue to keep the flame of remembrance burning bright?  It is up to all of us, as Jews, to do just that.  To educate ourselves, it is imperative that we continue learning these lessons through initiatives such as Holocaust Education Week. It is, in fact, the ultimate mission of Holocaust Education Week to ensure that the Shoah is always in our conscience, and on our minds, especially today, when some loudly deny that the Holocaust ever took place.  When a previous generation implored us to “Never Forget”, how could we ever have known just how important and relevant those words would continue to be at a time of rising antisemitism? With more than 30,000 participants expected to attend the 170 inspirational and thought-provoking educational and cultural programs, this year’s Holocaust Education Week promises to be a great success in educating Jews and non-Jews, while honouring the memory of those who perished. We hope to see you at this year’s 29th annual Holocaust Education Week. Sincerely, David Koschitzky, Chair of the Board Ted Sokolsky, President & CEO UJA Federation of Greater Toronto

Dear Friends, It is with great joy that I bring greetings to the community on behalf of the Sarah and Chaim Neuberger Holocaust Education Centre.  Our new name represents a moving forward of our mandate and dream, and a tangible manifestation of our future new Neuberger Holocaust Centre. This new dream is juxtaposed with life’s realities.  The Holocaust Education Week program that we present to you this year reflects those realities.  There continues the hatred that we know as antisemitism that never wants to die.  It raises its ugly face in Universities and Unions and presents itself equally diligently in anti-Israel bashing.  We are grateful to Canada and Minister Jason Kenney for unequivocally standing up to bigotry. Educate and inform yourself.  An enlightened, aware public is sensitive to pain, to the needs of others and to democratic responsibilities. Lorraine Sandler, Chair, Sarah and Chaim Neuberger Holocaust Education Centre, UJA Federation of Greater Toronto

On behalf of the 27 communities that make up the Regional Jewish Communities of Ontario, I am honoured that we are participating in this year’s Holocaust Education Week.  It is vital that the lessons of the Shoah be brought to all communities. It is only through the efforts of staff and lay people, working together, that we are able to achieve the level of success that we do.  Special acknowledgement goes to Carson Phillips, whose work throughout the year helps create such an outstanding week.  Thanks also to the HEW Committee, whose efforts also contribute significantly to the success. Ernie Ginsler Chair, Regional Jewish Communities of Ontario

Mayor David Miller Proclamation November 1-11, 2009 WHEREAS, it is very important that we honour the memory of the men, women and children who perished in the Holocaust and recognize those who survived tragedy. In order to avoid a repetition of this dark time in 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. It is only through education, understanding and remembrance of the Holocaust that awareness can be heightened and racism and prejudice eliminated. NOW THEREFORE, I, Mayor David Miller on behalf of Toronto City Council, do hereby proclaim November 1-11, 2009 as ‘Holocaust Education Week’, and join with the Holocaust Education Centre and our Jewish community in honouring the Holocaust survivors, War Veterans and Resistance Fighters.  This week is a reminder of their struggles and sacrifices and we must strive as a city to eliminate all forms of discrimination in our communities and our lives. Mayor David Miller

The Holocaust Education Committee of The Christian-Jewish Dialogue of Toronto works to bring Holocaust programming to churches of all denominations throughout the year.  This past June we held the 29th Christian Service in memory of the Holocaust at St. John’s Norway Anglican Church.  These programs are of tremendous importance.  Antisemitism and all other forms of racism present a danger not only to Jews, but to all communities.  The increasing number of churches who have lent their support to HEW this year is proof of that. We welcome and encourage you to attend these programs.  Many survivors will be speaking during Sunday services.  Each one of us who listens to a survivor becomes a witness to this tragic event in human history.  Each one of us then honours the memory of those who perished. We want to thank our committee members and the ministers, priests, religious and education coordinators who are committed to the study, documentation, and remembrance of the tragic events of the Shoah.  It is through awareness and action that racism and prejudice can be eliminated. Audrey Gerwing and Joan Shapero Co-Chairs, Holocaust Education Committee