Transcription
—Lisa Zajac Novera, Holocaust survivor—
“In the future, my legacy… when I am asked what my legacy is... Well, my legacy is to say ‘no’ to any kind of totalitarianism regime, whether right or left.”
—Stella Feiguien, Holocaust survivor—
“For future generations, may they always be aware that this happened.”
—Lisa Zajac Novera, Holocaust Survivor—
"Nations that have no memory, have no future. How many nations in history have disappeared? A number of nations have disappeared, because they did not remember, they have disappeared from the face of the earth.”
— Stella Feiguien, Holocaust Survivor—
“And that not a single word is a lie, everything we say… words are not enough.”
— Lisa Zajac Novera, Holocaust survivor—
“Nations that have memory and remember and communicate this to one another, will continue.”
• • •
Holocaust survivors who engrave their handprints regard the project Traces to Remember as more than a plaque, they see it as a legacy for present and future generations, a means through which they can share their story so that humanity learns from the lessons left by the Holocaust and thus another genocide never happens again.
• • •
In Argentina, the Project Traces to Remember was introduced to the Senate of the Republic Argentina on Tuesday, September 10, 2013. Directors of the Delegation of Argentine Israeli Associations (DAIA) and the Rabbinical Seminary, as well as Senate representatives gathered in the Blue Hall of the Senate to pay homage to Holocaust survivors and emphasize the educational nature of the Project.
• • •
—Alfredo Martinez, National Senator for the province of Santa Cruz, Argentina—
“Because this is about a project that we truly think is wonderful, in other words, leaving a trace, traces that will not be forgotten, leaving memories so that we actually have the possibility... if each of us, from the position we have, which is equally important, if each one of us, from our place of duty, work permanently for peace, I believe that is the path we have to achieve it.”
—Mr. Miguel Toimaher, Secretary of the Rabbinical Seminary—
“And I believe it is very important these days to inaugurate plaques like those of the Ambassadors of Activists for Peace. They can give us all an example of education, of what discrimination is and an example for our future generations. From the moment in which a survivor, a son, a grandson and a great-grandson place their handprints there –which will remain forever and be exhibited throughout all of Latin America without exception– there is no doubt that we are doing something very important in favor of life and peace.”
•••
— Rosa Meresman de Fishman, DAIA Board of Directors —
“We never forget the Shoah because it is something that hurts us, it is something that stays with us and it is something we have rooted in our hearts. And we want the youth to convey to the rest of the world, now and always, that we should not forget them.”
•••
In his speech, Dr. William Soto emphasized that after the Holocaust, major changes were made in the areas of human rights, justice and medicine. That is why the Global Embassy of Activists for Peace believes that if the Holocaust left so many lessons and changes regarding human rights, we must teach the Holocaust in schools, colleges and as case study in the universities of all countries.
—Dr. William Soto Santiago, Creator of the Project Traces to Remember—
“After the crimes committed by the Nazi regime, different international organizations were created with the purpose of protecting life, justice and human dignity, among them the International Court of Justice and the International Criminal Court.
A new focus also emerged as to the Codes of Medical Ethics, and the coining of the terms ‘war crimes’ and ‘crimes against humanity’, among others, according to the International Criminal Law and in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
This historical event also made it clear that the human being is capable of committing the worst of crimes, and that within human beings is the seed of good and evil.
And how does one correct evil? By preventing that seed of hate and discrimination from spreading and growing, and that is the responsibility of all of us as individuals, but especially of government authorities, political, social, religious, and public opinion leaders, universities, and professors, who have the ability to create and support educational projects that help achieve this goal.
At the Embassy of Activists for Peace, we believe that if the Holocaust left so many lessons and changes with regards to human rights, then it must be taught in elementary schools, high schools, and as a case study in the universities of all countries.”
The National Chamber of Deputies of the Province of El Chaco supported Traces to Remember through project number 3258/13, which states: “Declaring of legislative and national interest the project Traces to Remember, whose objective is to keep alive the testimony of Holocaust survivors.”
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[Unveiling of the plaques]
The event at the Senate concluded with the unveiling of the three plaques and the commitment of the survivors to continue telling their story as a legacy for the human family.