Lesson 4.3 – Holocaust Memorialisation and Education

Holocaust remembrance and education are important elements in understanding the dangers of antisemitism, but they are not sufficient and must not be treated as a substitute for education and awareness-raising about antisemitism. Likewise, educational programmes specifically addressing contemporary antisemitism must necessarily engage with the subject of the Holocaust, but they are not and cannot be a substitute for Holocaust education. These two subjects overlap in certain areas, but each requires a distinct approach, as well as sufficient time and space to be addressed appropriately in education, commemoration and public discourse.

The Holocaust was the genocide of the Jews, systematically planned and carried out by Nazi Germany and its collaborators across Europe between 1933 and 1945. We preserve the memory of the Holocaust first and foremost out of respect for its victims. To forget those who were murdered would, in effect, mean allowing the Nazis to succeed in their intention to destroy the Jews completely and erase every trace of their existence. In addition to preserving the memory of the victims, Holocaust memorialisation serves as a warning to humanity, reminding us of the horrors that can arise when hatred and prejudice prevail over fundamental human values. The culture of remembrance of the Holocaust therefore does more than commemorate the past: it also plays an important role in building a moral compass that helps prevent similar crimes from recurring. Through remembrance, we learn empathy, learn to recognise the dangers of discrimination, and understand the need for solidarity in protecting civil and human rights.

Holocaust memorialisation plays a very important role in raising awareness of the dangers of antisemitism—the hatred that formed a central pillar of Nazi ideology and directly led to the murder of six million Jews. Memorials, museums and educational programmes dedicated to the Holocaust remind us of the devastating consequences that follow when society fails to confront prejudice and hatred. However, remembering the Holocaust alone is not sufficient for understanding and countering antisemitism in its contemporary context. The Holocaust represents a specific historical manifestation of antisemitism, but hatred of Jews neither began with the Nazis nor disappeared with their defeat in 1945. On the contrary, antisemitism remains very much present today. In recent years, it has been steadily increasing and taking new forms, including conspiracy theories, Holocaust distortion, the demonisation of Israel and online hatred.

It is therefore essential to combine the study of history with contemporary education that recognises and addresses antisemitism in all its forms. Memorialisation can serve as a starting point, or as one part of a broader process of raising awareness and deepening knowledge, but it must be complemented by targeted activities that empower individuals to recognise antisemitism today and confront this form of hatred in their own societies. Only such an approach can ensure the lasting relevance of Holocaust remembrance and create a sustainable foundation for building resilience against antisemitism, both today and in the future.