This morning (Sunday), a modest ceremony was held at Babi Yar, the site in Kyiv where Nazis murdered approximately 50,000 Jews during the Holocaust. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky attended the event.
Holocaust Remembrance Amid War: Ukrainian President Attends 80th Anniversary of Auschwitz Liberation (Photo: FJCU)
The ceremony, held amid the ongoing war between Ukraine and Russia, commemorated the 80th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau. The event was attended by dozens of foreign ambassadors, including Israeli Ambassador Michael Brodsky, along with rabbis and government officials.
The World Acknowledges Holocaust Crimes
Meir Stambler, Chairman of the Jewish Communities in Ukraine, highlighted the significance of the ambassadors’ participation. “The world is seeking forgiveness for the crimes of the Holocaust, learning from past lessons, and striving for a better, fairer, and more just world,” he said.
He also praised Ukraine’s efforts in Holocaust education, noting President Zelensky’s commitment to teaching young generations about the Holocaust, in contrast to the communist regime’s suppression of this history, which fueled ignorance and anti-Semitism.
Zelensky’s Commitment to Holocaust Memory
Holocaust Remembrance Amid War: Ukrainian President Attends 80th Anniversary of Auschwitz Liberation (Photo: FJCU)
President Zelensky, who is of Jewish descent, emphasized Ukraine’s dedication to preserving Holocaust memory and teaching its lessons to younger generations. He underscored this as part of a broader effort to uphold values of humanity and justice worldwide.
Watch the Prayers and Kaddish in Memory of the Victims:
80 Years Since Auschwitz Liberation | Photo: Federation of Jewish Communities of Ukraine (FJCU)
