In a profound gathering marked by remembrance and resolve, this writer had the honor of celebrating the 80th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau together with Israel’s Chief Rabbis.
However, sadly earlier this month an anti-religious incident occurred in Europe resulting in the arrest of Jews in Belgium who perform circumcision for Jewish children.
This raised heightened alarms throughout the entire Jewish world with Brussels being viewed as a hotbed for attacking religious freedom under the name of democracy.
Ironically, even in communist nations with histories of restricting freedoms, religious practices endure with certain levels of protection.
Yet, in modern Europe — a continent waving the banner of democracy — fundamental rights to practice religion freely appear to be under attack in the name of democracy.
Acts perceived as core religious duties, which should be protected under the freedom of democracy, are sadly being criminalized.
These attacks constitute war on religious freedom and must be called out absent any hesitation whatsoever.
The 80 year liberation memorial event, attended by Israel’s chief rabbis and over 250 European rabbis, was not just a commemoration but a collective bittersweet celebration, one occurring while remembering those who perished.
Stands must be adopted and taken still needing to take a stand against todays new challenges, the resurgent waves of antisemitism and religious intolerance that continue to pervade our world.
The truth of their true intentions results in narrowing of authentic religious expression and punishing those who practice them.
Institutions like the United Nations — and mechanisms such as the International Criminal Court (ICC) — originally founded to uphold justice and human rights, who deflect from their core mission and unintentionally foster an environment where religious persecution finds a footing, must be called to account.
In witnessing these developments, the Jewish community is calling upon once more to demonstrate unity and resilience.
The spirit of survival enabling the Jewish people to endure and recover from the tragedies of the Holocaust must continue to guide us as we confront modern-day challenges and fight them together.
Our collective memory of past sufferings must empower us to stand against new forms of antisemitism threatening our religious practices today.
This is not just a matter for the Jewish community, but a call to action for all who cherish fundamental human rights and religious freedom.
It is a reminder that democracy should not only protect but also celebrate the diverse tapestry of beliefs that make up our global society.
It is through the thriving of Jewish culture, faith, and community that we defy those who sought to extinguish us.
Our gathering in Auschwitz was both a remembrance of a tragic past and a firm step toward a future where Jewish communities worldwide continue to flourish.
This year’s 80 year commemoration organized with rabbinical participation, starkly contrasted the global political theater with world leaders in participation.
Knowing the truth of what we gathered for and continuing to fight for it together — standing alongside Israel’s Chief Rabbis and hundreds of rabbinic leaders globally — we collectively honored the six million Jewish victims of the Holocaust in a truthfully.
It was a sincere moment of solidarity, a truthful acknowledgment of our shared history, and a resolute declaration: Saying “Never Again!” but this time all in attendance were not their for political reasons solely. They were there out a deeply sincere sense of caring.
For me personally, this ceremony held a deep personal resonance.
As the grandchild of Holocaust survivors who endured the horrors of Auschwitz, paying homage at this site carried the weight of legacy and remembrance.
My father’s brother and sister, along with all my great-grandparents, were murdered here.
Having the honor of lighting the memorial flames alongside the chief rabbis of Israel was a tribute not only to my family’s past but also to the enduring spirit of the Jewish people — a testament to survival and renewal.
We left with a unified message resounding in our hearts: “Never Again!”
Through unity and vigilance, we can safeguard the legacy of the Holocaust and are committed to work tirelessly against the darkness of antisemitism threatening our world today in all colors, shapes, and forms declaring never again!
Duvi Honig is founder and CEO of the Orthodox Jewish Chamber of Commerce, a global umbrella of businesses of all sizes, bridging the highest echelons of the business and governmental worlds together, stimulating economic opportunity and positively affecting governments’ public policies. His work has been recognized by both Presidents Obama and Trump. Read Duvi Honig’s Reports — More Here.
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