Special Focus: Yad Vashem Marks its Fiftieth Anniversary

Jubilee Events

Events that have already been held to mark the Jubilee Year

17:00 Sunday, September 14 - Inauguration of the Book and Resource Center

The event took place in the presence of Minister of Justice, Yosef (Tommy) Lapid MK, the building’s architect and donor David Azrieli, and the Chairman of the Yad Vashem Directorate, Avner Shalev. Israel’s Chief Rabbi, Rabbi Yonah Metzger placed the mezuzah in the entrance to the building. The ceremony took place in the Book and Resource Center, next to the new Visitors’ Center.

11:00 Monday, September 15 - Inaugural ceremony for Jubilee Stamps

In order to mark Yad Vashem’s 50^th year, the Israel Philatelic Service issued two stamps at an official ceremony at the Knesset in the presence of Speaker of the Knesset, Reuven Rivlin MK, Yad Vashem Directorate member Dov Shilansky, and Chairman of the Yad Vashem Council, Prof. Szewach Weiss.

19:00 Monday, September 15 - Reception for International Friends Delegations

A reception for delegations from 26 countries that came to participate in Yad Vashem’s jubilee events will take place in the Valley of the Communities. Participants in the reception included: Minister of Immigrant Absorption, Tzipi Livni, Mayor of Jerusalem, Uri Lupolianski, Abraham Hirchson MK, Chairman of the Yad Vashem Council, Prof. Szewach Weiss, Chairman of the Center of Organizations of Holocaust Survivors in Israel Noah Flug, and representatives of the delegations.

20:30 Tuesday, September 16 - Declaration of the opening of the Jubilee Year

in the presence of President of Israel, Moshe Katsav; PM Ariel Sharon; Speaker of the Knesset, Reuven Rivlin MK; Chairman of the Yad Vashem Council, Prof. Szewach Weiss; Chairman of the American Society for Yad Vashem, Eli Zborowski; and Chairman of the Yad Vashem Directorate, Avner Shalev. Thousands of participants attended the event including Holocaust survivors from Israel and abroad, delegations of international Yad Vashem friends societies, and many prominent public figures. Renowned singer, Dudu Fisher, performed the piece “Kaddish” based on the words of the traditional Jewish prayer. He will be accompanied by the Philharmonic Choir and the Jerusalem Symphony Orchestra IBA, conducted by violinist, Shlomo Mintz who also performed a piece. The program included: singers Shlomit Aharon and Yevgeny Shapovalov, violinist Ida Haendel and the Ankor Choir. A work written specially for Yad Vashem’s Jubilee Year by author Amir Gottfreund was recited.

10:00 Wednesday, September 17 - Inauguration Ceremony for the Partisans’ Panorama with the participation of Maj.-Gen. Moshe (Bugi) Ya’alon

The Partisans’ Panorama was established in as a tribute to the Jewish fighters who fought within partisan ranks. A statue created by sculptor Zadok Ben-David will be situated in the panorama’s center. Participating in the ceremony were members of the Karten family who donated the Partisans’ Panorama.

17:00 Wednesday, September 17 - Reception for the Signing of The Declaration of Remembrance at the President’s Residence

The declaration is a written pledge ensuring the continued existence of Holocaust remembrance in our generation and those that follow. The declaration was signed by Israeli heads of state and Jewish leaders from Israel and abroad. Ceremony participants included: President of the State of Israel, Moshe Katsav; Secretary General of the World Jewish Congress and President of the Claims Conference, Dr. Israel Singer; President of the French Fondation pour la Mטmoire de la Shoah, Simone Veil; former Chief Rabbi of Israel, Rabbi Israel Meir Lau; Academic Advisor to Yad Vashem and Holocaust survivor, Prof. Israel Gutman; Chairman of the Yad Vashem Council, Prof. Szewach Weiss; and Chairman of the Yad Vashem Directorate, Avner Shalev.

October 2003

Dedication of the new Visitors' Center

International Educational Conference - August 8-11 2004

The International School for Holocaust Studies held an international educational conference "Teaching the Holocaust to Future Generations" in August.

Upcoming Events:

Launch of Central Database of Shoah Victims' Names- Fall 2004

Mega database containing nearly 3 million names will be accessible to the public on Yad Vashem's website

International Research Conference - November 21-24, 2004

The International Institute for Holocaust Research will hold an international research conference on "Holocaust Research and the National Memory: Jewish and Non-Jewish Researchers."

Dedication of the New Museum Complex – March 15, 2005

Events will include the dedication of the Museum of Holocaust History, the Hall of Names, the Museum of Holocaust Art, the Exhibitions Pavilion, the Visual Center and the Learning Center.

Dedication of the new synagogue

International and Multi-generational gathering of Holocaust Survivors and Their Families- May 4-9, 2005

Participants from around the world will gather to pay tribute to the survivors and to ensure that the torch of remembrance is passed from one generation to the next.

Tourism

Throughout the Jubilee year, Yad Vashem will offer unique programs and activities to groups and individuals from Israel and abroad, encouraging them to visit Yad Vashem.

Education Activities

The International School for Holocaust Studies at Yad Vashem will offer special, expanded activities throughout the year for IDF soldiers and students and educators from Israel and abroad.

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