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Recognizing AJC Philadelphia for its work with We Are Here! and ORT in the 2021 commemoration of International Holocaust Remembrance Day and further acknowledging January 27th as International Holocaust Remembrance Day in the City of Philadelphia.
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WHEREAS, International Holocaust Remembrance Day is an international memorial day, commemorating the tragedy of the Holocaust that occurred during World War II, resulting in the death of an estimated 6 million Jewish people; and
WHEREAS, The United Nations General Assembly, through a Resolution in 2005, designated January 27th of every year as International Holocaust Remembrance Day to be observed by Member States in memory of victims of the Holocaust. International Holocaust Remembrance Day serves as a call to all humanity to ensure that good people do not sit and do nothing as evil triumphs over good; and
WHEREAS, It is important that in our lifetime, such atrocities never happen again, and AJC Philadelphia in collaboration with We Are Here! and ORT Circle takes this directive, and the advancement of human rights and civil liberties, very seriously; and
WHEREAS, We Are Here! is an organization using the stories of the Jewish Partisans to inspire in young people the confidence and ability to stand up in the face of prejudice and oppression We Are Here! has the mission of providing both a historical perspective on what happens when people don’t act in the face of hatred, and highlights the stories of role models of those who did stand up and work to stop the ultimate evil of the Nazis. The organization aims to create a personal connection to an individual partisan’s story so that others may learn about the resistance activities of the partisans, and hear the story of Zog Nit Keynmol which allows young people to realize the impact that they can have on their own lives and those of others around them who are victims of prejudice; and
WHEREAS, ORT is a global education network driven by Jewish values. They are passionate about unleashing the potential of young people so they can lead fulfilling lives and have a positive impact on the world around them. The ORT network now reaches 300,000 people a year in more than 30 countries. ORT provides a combination of high-level science and technology education with strengthened Jewish identity; bridging the gap between ability and opportunity - and ensuring the continuity of Jewish life worldwide; and
WHEREAS, AJC and its collaborating organizations are cognizant that Holocaust denial, and baseless bigotry in general, is a menace in our society, and Jews with all people of all religions and backgrounds have a joint mission to keep their history and connections to one another alive, by telling stories of past cooperation and faith, and by demonstrating friendship and a shared humanity; and
WHEREAS, AJC Philadelphia’s work in the fight against hatred and bigotry is crucial in ensuring that Holocaust deniers and hate will not prevail, and that anti-Semitism will never again be used as a national rallying cry for demonizing a group of people; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, That it hereby recognizes AJC Philadelphia for its work with We Are Here! and ORT in the 2021 commemoration of International Holocaust Remembrance Day and further acknowledging January 27th as International Holocaust Remembrance Day in the City of Philadelphia.
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