ON KNOWLEDGE AND EMPATHY

TOMAS JOSE V. MIGUEL

The Department of Education (DepEd) has partnered with the Embassy of the State of Israel to the Philippines to hold a series of photographic exhibitions in several schools in the country to commemorate the International Holocaust Remembrance Day, which is observed worldwide every Jan. 27. The Holocaust refers to the genocide of European Jews during World War II from 1941 to 1945, in which Nazi Germany systematically murdered some six million Jews across German-occupied Europe. The exhibition aims to honor the victims and survivors and pay tribute to their resilience and strength, according to DepEd officials.

They said that by teaching the history of the Holocaust, future generations will be equipped with the knowledge and empathy necessary to build a more just and inclusive world.

Through education, the agency can and will inspire compassion and understanding, thereby fostering a society where every individual is valued, appreciated, and respected.

Dubbed “Flashes of Memory: Photography Creating Perception during the Holocaust,” the exhibition will feature information about the Holocaust, photographs taken during the war and stories behind them, narratives of survivors, and anecdotes about prominent people recognized as “Righteous Among the Nations” who rescued and helped Jews during the war. It is an adaptation of "Children in the Holocaust: Stars Without a Heaven,” curated by Yehudit Inbar and exhibited at Yad Vashem in the State of Israel.

Embassy officials said it is important that we recognize and appreciate the efforts in teaching and educating future generations about the fact that no country stood against the NaZis and helped the Jews but there was one exception, which is the Philippines.

They mentioned that former President Manuel Quezon extended refuge to about 1,300 Jews, granting them haven and shelter in the Philippines in 1938.

According to Embassy officials, the former president saved not only those 1,300 Jews but he saved future generations and families. This is one of the most important foundations of the relations between our two countries – opening your doors to Jewish refugees trying to escape the Holocaust, and secondly it is also voting in the United Nations in 1947 in support of the establishment of the State of Israel as a homeland, a haven for the Jews for the long run.

-oOoThe author is a Teacher III at Lauc Pao Elementary School, Lubao West District