On International Holocaust Remembrance Day, Ohio Jewish Caucus Honors Those Who Were Lost and Reminds Us to Learn from the Past

COLUMBUS — The Ohio Jewish Caucus today issued the following statement honoring International Holocaust Remembrance Day in memory of the six million Jewish people murdered during the Holocaust and the millions of other victims at the hands of Nazi persecution, and the liberation of the Auschwitz-Birkenau death camp: 

“‘Never forget’ is a phrase Jews use when talking about the Holocaust, not only as a solemn reminder of the atrocities we pray will never happen again to our people, but also as a way to guide us forward in our never-ending fight for freedom and democracy for all. In the 80 years since the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau, time has taken more and more survivors from us. Soon, none will be left to tell their stories, so we must continue to tell those stories for them. Learning from the past is the best way to prevent its horrors from repeating in the future,” said the Ohio Jewish Caucus. 

“We must listen to the echoes of history now more than ever as belligerent nationalism continues its spread across the globe. As we honor the millions of souls lost during the Holocaust, we are also reaffirming our belief that every person deserves to live with safety and dignity. When people come to our shores or grow up in our communities because they fled violence and persecution in their home countries, they need sanctuary and protection, not federal agents at their schools and in their homes. The stories of those who were turned away at their hour of need is woven into who we are, and we won’t be silent as history unfolds before our eyes. As the Jewish elected officials in Ohio’s state government, we stand united in our commemoration of those who were murdered nearly a century ago, firm in our commitment to combating anti-semitism, hate, and prejudice today, and dedicated to the core American principle that we must welcome the stranger.”

Members of the Ohio Jewish Caucus attended Nancy & David Wolf Holocaust & Humanity Center’s annual International Holocaust Remembrance Event Sunday at Union Terminal in Cincinnati. This year’s event featured a powerful conversation with Holocaust survivor Henry Fenichel, including an interactive “Dimensions in Testimony” exhibit.

Members of the Ohio Jewish Caucus also attended a ceremony at the Ohio Statehouse Monday commemorating the 80th anniversary of the liberation of the Auschwitz-Birkenau death camp. The event was hosted by Ohio Holocaust and Genocide Memorial and Education Commission. 

The Ohio Jewish Caucus is proudly represented by Reps. Beryl Brown Piccolantonio (D-Gahanna), Dani Isaacsohn (D-Cincinnati), Christine Cockley (D-Columbus), Eric Synenberg (D-Beachwood), Karen Brownlee (D-Symmes Township) and Senator Casey Weinstein (D-Hudson).