January 27 is International Holocaust Remembrance Day, a day that honours the six million Jewish victims of the Holocaust and millions of other non-Jewish people including but not limited to, people with disabilities, LGBTQIA+ people, and Roma peoples who were victims of Nazism. The date marks the anniversary of the 1945 liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau, one of the main German Nazi concentration and extermination camps. International Holocaust Remembrance Day presents an opportunity for Niagara College students and employees to learn more about the history of antisemitism – the hatred of or prejudice against Jews – especially as we hear about the rise of antisemitism in contemporary society.
Antisemitism is one of the oldest forms of hatred, and discrimination (including violence and pogroms against Jews) took place before the Holocaust and at many points in human history. Today, antisemitism is a painful, harsh, daily reality for members of our community. Many Jews in Canada have family members who perished in, or were impacted by, the Holocaust, a source of intergenerational trauma and a reminder of the perils of antisemitism. Statistics Canada reports that in 2021, hate crimes against Jews increased by 47% in Canada. The Toronto Police department recently shared that in 2023 at least 37% of all reported hate-motivated offences were antisemitic. We must all work together to put an end to the rise in antisemitism, Holocaust denial and hate in all its manifestations.
We must recognize and confront prejudice and discrimination on a daily basis in order to create a campus environment where all members of our community experience a sense of belonging. Prioritizing equity, diversity, and inclusion while fostering a climate of safety and respect is a shared responsibility among all our community members.
January 27: Flags lowered for International Holocaust Remembrance Day
Flags at both campuses will be lowered to honour the memory of the six million Jewish victims of the Holocaust and millions of other non-Jewish people who were victims of Nazism.
Learning Resources
Education plays an integral role in addressing the rise of antisemitism and Holocaust denial, we’ve shared a list of a variety of learning resources available to students and employees below.
Resources on the Holocaust and antisemitism are available through the the Libraries and Learning Commons.
The Canadian Centre of Diversity and Inclusion provides employees with a variety of resources on the Holocaust and antisemitism through their Knowledge Repository. Visit the Centre for Organizational Excellence website to learn more about how to access these resources.
Support is available
We recognize that the rise in antisemitism significantly impacts members of our college community. Know that your college community supports you and that there are resources in place to assist.
Niagara College student supports are available through Health, Wellness & Accessibility Services.
Students can contact Health, Wellness & Accessibility Services in-person in AH125 (Welland Campus) or in W102 (Daniel J. Patterson Campus), by phone at 905-735-2211 ext. 7778 (Welland) 905-641-2252 ext. 4409 (Niagara-on-the-Lake) or email [email protected].
keep.meSAFE Student Support Advisors are available 24/7, in many languages. Access confidential support anytime, anywhere by:
• Downloading the free TELUS Health Student Support app (formerly known as the My SSP app) to chat or call
• Calling 1.844.451.9700 (or 001.416.380.6578 from outside North America)
• Visiting keepmesafe.org to chat
Staff and faculty are encouraged to access the Employee and Family Assistance Program.
