Ceremony commemorates International Holocaust Remembrance Day
A small group gathered at the National Holocaust Monument Thursday night for a ceremony and special candle lighting for International Holocaust Remembrance Day.
The evening commemorated the six million Jewish victims of the Holocaust and the millions more who suffered under Nazism.
"The brain power that was lost as a contribution to the world- those things cannot happen again," said Dr. Agnes Klein, a child survivor of the Holocaust. "It needs to be a lesson to the world forever."
She addressed the crowd at Thursday night’s ceremony that included members of the Jewish community, national leaders, and Ottawa Mayor Jim Watson. The event was kept small to follow COVID-19 protocols but was live streamed. Those who were present, spoke out against anti-Semitism.
"Today and always we stand united against anti-Semitism and we commit to finding all forms of extremism and we remember," Watson said.
The National Holocaust Monument wasn’t the only landmark lit in yellow. The National Hallery and Ottawa’s postsecondary institutions were also part of the cross-Canada “we remember” initiative. The yellow symbolizing a candle, a light in the darkness.
"Remembering the Holocaust and getting rid of discrimination takes a lot of education and a lot of people remembering," said Klein. "Making sure things like this never happen again."
Leaders in the Jewish community say now more than ever, Holocaust remembrance and anti-Semitism education is important.
"We have to use this as a teachable moment," said Andrea Freemdna, the CEO of the Jewish Federation of Ottawa. "Fighting hatred and injustice and anti-Semitism is all our responsibilities and we have to push back.
“Each of us has the ability to be that light into the darkness."
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING Toronto Raptors player Jontay Porter banned from NBA
Toronto Raptors player Jontay Porter has been handed a lifetime ban from The National Basketball Association (NBA) following an investigation which found he disclosed confidential information to sports bettors, the league says.
'$6.66 per day': Advocacy groups disheartened by funding in budget for disability benefit
Advocacy groups across Canada are expressing widespread disappointment about the amount of funding earmarked in the 2024 federal budget for the long-awaited Canada Disability Benefit.
BREAKING Former Air Canada employees among suspects identified in gold heist at Pearson airport: police
Police say one former and one current employee of Air Canada are among the nine suspects that are facing charges in connection with the gold heist at Pearson International Airport last year.
Earthquake jolts southern Japan
An earthquake with a preliminary magnitude of 6.4 hit southern Japan late on Wednesday, said the Japan Meteorological Agency, without issuing a tsunami warning.
MPs summon ArriveCan contractor to the House to be admonished in rare parliamentary display
Enacting an extraordinarily rarely used parliamentary power, MPs have summoned an ArriveCan contractor to appear before the House of Commons on Wednesday afternoon to be admonished publicly for failing to answer their questions.
opinion Don Martin: Gusher of Liberal spending won't put out the fire in this dumpster
A Hail Mary rehash of the greatest hits from the Trudeau government’s three-week travelling pony-show, the 2024 federal budget takes aim at reversing the party’s popularity plunge in the under-40 set, writes political columnist Don Martin. But will it work before the next election?
Gas prices across Ontario expected to climb to levels not seen since 2022, analyst says
Ontario is going to see a big jump at the pumps later this week as gas prices in the province hit levels not seen in nearly two years, according to one industry analyst.
Ancient skeletons unearthed in France reveal Mafia-style killings
More than 5,500 years ago, two women were tied up and probably buried alive in a ritual sacrifice, using a form of torture associated today with the Italian Mafia, according to an analysis of skeletons discovered at an archeological site in southwest France.
Paul McCartney and John Lennon’s sons have released a single together
A new Lennon and McCartney collaboration is the last thing anybody expected.