The first International Conference “Role of the Historical Memory of the Holocaust in the Modern Youth Education” took place in the end of November at the KJJC. The Conference was initiated by the Center of Training and organized with the support of the “Joint”. JCC KEDEM, Hillel Students’ organization, and the Jewish Library actively participated in the Conference organization.

KJJC PR-Department organized wide coverage of this important event. Reports were published in the main informational agencies of Moldova, on the broadcast stations, in magazines and newspapers, as well as shown on TV channels.

Over 300 people including famous historians, veterans of the World War II, Holocaust survivors, leaders of the Jewish organizations, pupils and students of Kishinev schools and Universities came to the KJJC. Professors and researchers from Israel, Ukraine, Romania and Moldova led the round-tables, lectures and seminars in the frames of the Conference. An official message from Mr. Victor Stepaniuk, Vice-Prime minister of the country, with support to the Conference organizers was read in the beginning of the event.

Besides scientists’ presentations and discussions, participants could see exhibition of literature and art dedicated to the Holocaust tragedy, listen the concert of chamber music presented by the violinists group “Fidler”.

“People, who survived in the Holocaust, pass away and take with them a part of the history”, said Mickey Katsiff, “Joint” representative in Moldova. “And how important it is to keep the connection between generations. Unfortunately, the modern youth do not know much about these tragic events. It is very important that so many young people gathered today here.”

“We must do everything that our youth could receive objective information about Holocaust and history in general based on real documents, facts and figures”, said Alexander Roman, Moldova Academy of Public Administration Rector.

“We are happy that we succeeded to gather such people as Anatoly Podolsky, Kiev Center of Holocaust Researches Director, Professor Lea Benjamin from Romania, Dr. Serghei Nazaria from Moldova, and Boris Maftsir, leading specialist of Yad Vashem Memorial. This year was proclaimed the Year of Youth in Moldova and we try to input in the education of the young people”, said Galina Karger, KJJC Center of Training Director summarizing the Conference.