Marking International Holocaust Remembrance Day in Toronto

International Holocaust Remembrance Day ceremony in Toronto. Credit: Liora Kogan 

TORONTO - The World Jewish Congress was represented on Monday at the official International Holocaust Remembrance Day ceremony in Toronto by WJC Jewish Diplomatic Corps member Zack Silverberg, who spoke about the rising bigotry and antisemitism around the world. 

In his address to the ceremony hosted by the Israeli Consulate in Toronto, Silverberg spoke about the rise of antisemitic rhetoric on social media and praised WJC’s #WeRemember campaign for not only bringing awareness to the Holocaust, but taking an active in role in silencing hatred. Silverberg called for every kind-hearted person to stand up against all forms of bigotry and hatred, including rhetoric, because "what starts with words, doesn't end with just words."

Several other prominent individuals and Jewish organizations participated in the ceremony including, Barbara Bank, the Chairwomen of the WJC Canadian affiliate Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs, who said that "75 years after we promised to never forget the world is forgetting"; Holocaust survivor Gershon Israel Willinger who shared his story of survival and discussed the importance of continuing to bring attention to bigotry, the Canadian Society for Yad Vashem and the UJA Federation of Greater Toronto.  

WJC Jewish Diplomatic Corps member Zack Silverberg speaking at the International Holocaust Remembrance Day ceremony in Toronto. Credit: Liora Kogan