Recent months have brought a troubling surge in antisemitism across the United States. From the halls of Ivy League institutions to the streets of major cities, Jewish Americans are increasingly being targeted, subjected to threats, and in many cases, silenced. This hostility is not subtle; it is overt and unapologetic. Once bastions of pluralism and free expression, these institutions are now facing limitations in their ability to challenge ancient prejudices rebranded in the modern era.
The Foundation at Yad Vashem USA is driven by a clear mission, informed by its founder’s personal connection to the Holocaust, to ensure that the memory of the Holocaust remains central to humanity’s shared moral vision. This mission is not merely about remembering the past; it is about ensuring that the lessons of this history continue to inform present ethical decisions. The phrase ‘never again’ is often spoken, but the foundation argues that it must be lived, not just remembered. The Holocaust did not commence with Auschwitz; it began with words, disinformation, and the gradual dehumanization of an entire group.
Today, the rhetoric that corrodes civil society is becoming alarmingly common. Conspiracy theories that deny Jewish belonging and chants that call for the destruction of Jewish communities are increasingly being tolerated, even under the guise of activism and nuance. This is not just about Jewish survival; it is a broader societal issue that threatens the integrity of democratic values. The foundation insists that no cause justifies antisemitism, highlighting the historical pattern that antisemitism, when unleashed, has a ripple effect, hollowing out democracies and numbing the moral consciousness of communities.
For the foundation, Holocaust remembrance is not an act of Jewish preservation alone, but a universal imperative. Through various initiatives, they are bringing these lessons into American classrooms and fostering research to provide accurate understanding of the events of the Holocaust in the age of post-truth. They support the development of digital archives and immersive exhibits that not only narrate histories of tragedy but also serve as a framework for understanding the fragility of civilization and the responsibility of individuals.
The foundation is at a critical point, as the dwindling numbers of Holocaust survivors mean the responsibility of preserving historical memory now falls on a new generation. This is both a privilege and a challenge. In a world where truth is often contested, preserving historical integrity becomes a form of moral resistance. The foundation calls for leaders across political ideologies, faith traditions, and institutions to speak with clarity and decisiveness, affirming that antisemitism has no justification. They urge all Americans to participate not out of charity, but because the lessons of the Holocaust are human lessons that resonate with the shared destiny of the global community. The foundation’s call for ‘never again’ is not just a statement of the past, but a call to vigilance, demanding that the memory of the Holocaust continues to guide collective action toward safeguarding a future free from such atrocities.