Toronto (March 16, 2018) - Friends of Simon WiesenthalCenter (FSWC) notes the revisions made to the text of the National HolocaustMonument plaque. The original plaque, first unveiled to the public on September27, 2017, drew complaints for omitting any specific mention of antisemitism andthe six million Jews murdered during the Holocaust.

“We appreciate this matter was taken seriously and steps weretaken to rectify omissions in the plaque’s original wording to reflect thatJews were the main focus of Hitler’s genocidal intent,” said FSWC President andCEO Avi Benlolo. “I am disappointed however that Heritage Canada did notadopt our recommendation that the word “Jewish” be included in reference to theword “survivors” in the final text, thus failing to acknowledge JewishHolocaust survivors who struggled to find a safe haven in this country due todiscriminatory immigration policies lifted only after the war.”

FSWC hopes this change will beimplemented. We stand proud of this exceptional and all too important monumentto the Holocaust. 

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The wording of the revised plaque:

“The National HolocaustMonument commemorates the six million Jewish men, women and children murderedduring the Holocaust and the millions of other victims of Nazi Germany and itscollaborators. It also stands as a tribute to the courage and resilience of thesurvivors who were able to make their way to Canada following one of thedarkest chapters in human history. The monument recognizes the immensecontributions these survivors have made to Canada and serves as a reminder thatwe must be vigilant in standing guard against antisemitism, hatred andintolerance.”

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Media Contact:

Zach Potashner
Director, Government & External Affairs
416.864.9735 x 32 zpotashner@fswc.ca

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Follow us on Twitter at @CanadianFSWC 

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Friends of Simon Wiesenthal Center for Holocaust Studies (FSWC) is a top Jewish human rights foundation in Canada's organized Jewish community. It directly impacts over 100,000 people each year and 500,000+ peripherally. FSWC is committed to countering racism and antisemitism and to promoting the principles of tolerance, social justice and Canadian democratic values through advocacy and educational programs including workshops, Freedom Day, Spirit of Hope Benefit, Tools for Tolerance and the widely acclaimed Tour for Humanity. FSWC is affiliated with the Simon Wiesenthal Center, an international Jewish human rights organization headquartered in Los Angeles which has won two Academy Awards, has built two Museums of Tolerance (with a third being built in Jerusalem) and is an NGO at the United Nations, UNESCO, OAS, OSCE, the Council of Europe and the Latin American Parliament. Visit us at www.fswc.ca. 

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