Those who do not learn history are doomed to repeat it.

This month, we had the privilege to learn more about the devastating and cruel truths of the Holocaust. We traveled to six countries – the Czech Republic, Poland, Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, and Germany – with 100 leading American philanthropists and scholars, and together, we tried to wrap our heads around the scope of the genocide carried out by Nazi Germany and its European collaborators.

We saw the horrific conditions suffered by the Jews in Auschwitz-Birkenau, which were built with a single purpose: to eradicate the Jewish and Gypsy peoples. We saw mass graves in Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, and Poland, where hundreds of thousands of Jewish families perished by firing squads because their gentile neighbors collaborated with or joined in when the German Killing Machine arrived. At the Rumbula Forest Memorial, we paid our respects to some of the 2.4 million Jews who were killed in the Hidden Holocaust by bullets – some, murdered by neighbors they had grown up alongside.

Far too many people view these places as simply historical sites, where you can learn something about the past, but nothing about the future. Many – including some within the Jewish community – can’t comprehend that the antisemitism that existed in Nazi Germany might happen again, especially in America.

Facing these horrors up close focused our attention on the relevance of the Holocaust to our present day. How can we ensure that Never Again isn’t just a slogan, but a mindset and an action plan?

Three lessons from our journey stand out.

First, events like the Holocaust don’t happen overnight. They result from a process of systematic racism, intimidation, and discrimination that lasts many years.

Antisemitism had long been present across Europe. Nazi Germany harnessed that hatred to humiliate, marginalize, and weaken the Jewish people, as it prepared to unleash the largest genocide in history. During the first six years of Hitler’s rule, more than 400 decree’s and regulations that Boycotted, Delegitimized and Sanctioned (BDS) all aspects of Jews’ public and private lives. Jews were dehumanized in the eyes of the public until gentiles believed genocide was a reasonable course of a final solution.

The parallels to recent events should not be lost on us. In the last two decades, America and, in particular, Europe have seen a steady rise in antisemitism from the radical Right, the radical Left and from radical Muslims. A growing alliance between radical leftists and radical Islamists has produced figures like Jeremy Corbyn, the head of the British Labour Party, who ignores and even espouses vile antisemitism.

This alliance has driven the rise of figures on the radical Right in Germany, Poland, Italy, Estonia and elsewhere, who are committed to denying the Holocaust, and trade in antisemitic stereotypes.

It seems the only thing shared by all the radical movements is their hatred of the Jewish people. While European governments publicly express strong support for the importance of protecting their Jewish communities, history tells us that nothing lasts forever.
We witnessed this trend up close. In many of our meetings, European officials blamed the Holocaust solely on Germany – not the collaborationist leaders of their countries. None of these countries seemed to take ownership of their actions during the Holocaust. This denial has become public policy. For instance, a law recently passed in Poland made it illegal to acknowledge the Polish people’s complicity in death camps, outlawing the phrase “Polish death camps.” At the same time, and some Germans – including the third largest party in the parliament – are now working to minimize the Holocaust, claiming it was a small spec of “bird poop” in their 1,000 years of glorious history.

This brings us to our second lesson: we must recognize and fight against antisemitism with all of our power whenever we encounter it.

When we don’t act, we legitimize antisemitism, allowing it to become mainstream. We become an accomplice to its growth and influence.

Before and during World War II, Jewish communities across Europe cried out for help. World powers were overwhelmingly silent. Jews trying to flee were turned away by countries across Europe and the Americas, with Britain blocking immigration to what is now Israel.

Unfortunately, some Jewish communities in Europe and elsewhere now downplay or even ignore the dangers the Jewish people face. We found this in some of our conversations with European-Jewish leaders, who expressed their unwavering confidence in their local government’s willingness and ability to protect them.

Jews in America today have the power to stand up, speak out, and fight back against the antisemites. We should use this power now – before it’s no longer available.

This brings us to our third lesson. We must support Israel, the homeland of the Jewish people and ultimate insurance policy for all Jews.

Israel did not exist during the time of the Holocaust. It has already saved millions of Jews fleeing antisemitism around the world. In its infancy, Israel accepted Holocaust survivors from displaced persons camps. It launched countless operations to save Jews facing existential threats across the Middle East, North Africa, Asia, and Europe. In the 90s, the Jewish homeland welcomed approximately 1.6 million Jews from the former Soviet Union and Ethiopia, who had endured harsh antisemitism and hatred. More recently, rising antisemitism in Venezuela brought over half of the country’s Jews to Israel.

Israel has changed the game when it comes to the security of the Jewish people. This point was driven home for us during the trip, by Maj. General Amir Eshel – the former commander of the Israel Air Force, who accompanied us to Auschwitz. In 2003, Eshel led a squadron of IAF F-15s in a flyover of Auschwitz, issuing an eternal promise from the cockpit that the IDF is “the shield of the Jewish people and its nation, Israel.”

Remembering the Holocaust is not enough. We must turn the tragedies of the past into lessons for the future. Nothing less than the continuation of the Jewish people is at stake. It’s in our hands to ensure that Never Again really means Never Again.

The writers are Israeli-American philanthropists and co-founders of the Adam and Gila Milstein Family Foundation. Gila is the president of Stand By Me and Adam is the national chairman of the Israeli-American Council.

Original Op-ed: Jerusalem Post

Both the US and Israel have withstood existential threats through courage and patriotism of their people.

Israel’s 70th birthday on May 14th has brought a surge of pride across America, as we #Celebrate70.

From the halls of Congress to hundreds of college campuses, to more than 16 Celebrate Israel Festivals in major cities from coast to coast, people across the country are sharing videos, images, words and melodies to rejoice in the miracle of the modern Jewish state and marvel at its unbelievable accomplishments.

The events this month have put on display the deep well of support that Israel enjoys in America, a sentiment that goes back throughout our country’s history. America’s second president, John Adams, once wrote, “The Jews are the most glorious Nation that ever inhabited this Earth” and “I really wish the Jews again in Judea an independent nation.” On May 14, 1948, a few hours after Israel announced its independence, president Harry Truman ignored strategic advice from the secretary of state because of his moral imperative to recognize the new Israeli government led by David Ben-Gurion.

The Jerusalem Embassy Act of 1995, which recognized Jerusalem as the capital of the State of Israel, called for the relocation of the United States Embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem. This year Jews around the world celebrated President Donald Trump’s official recognition of Jerusalem as the capital of Israel and the opening of the US Embassy there.

These decisions have been rooted in our common values and common experience. Both America and Israel were established by people in search of religious freedom and tolerance. Both were founded on the Western values of democracy, Judeo-Christian values, free speech and freedom of the press.

The American Dream is much like the Zionist Dream, rooted in the principle that everyone should have the right to self-determination and the opportunity to achieve success through hard work and determination.

Somehow, thousands of miles away and surrounded by enemies and with no natural resources, Israel has achieved just that.

Both the US and Israel have withstood existential threats through courage and patriotism of their people.

When I was born, Israel was less than four years old. My parents immigrated to Israel in 1948 from Latin America and joined a long line of Zionists who fought for the right of Jewish self-determination. My father fought in the 1948 War of Independence and in the 1956 war. When I was serving in the army in 1973, I fought in the Yom Kippur War that changed the history of the Jewish people – and strengthened Israel’s reputation as a country that would not back down.

America also fought a war for its independence, and it was not until Andrew Jackson’s decisive victory in the Battle of New Orleans during the War of 1812, that foreign nations recognized that America was an independent power with the right to exist. Now America is the strongest country in the world and Israel is a powerful nation standing strong against all odds.

The US and Israel are both deeply committed to helping the world. The US government works to spread democracy. American businesses bring life-changing inventions to countries who need it most and US-based charities aid people and support causes around the world. Israel follows America’s lead in helping make the world a better place. Israel established the first stable and successful democracy in the Middle East. After 70 years of growth, it has developed into the start-up nation – bringing innovations to the world – and is a light unto nations, providing aid to people in countries such as Nepal, Sierra Leone, Syria, Mexico and Haiti.

Cultural diversity is at the center of both of our thriving democracies. America is of course, the original melting pot, bringing together immigrants from virtually every other country on earth, and Israel does the same. Over millennia, the Jewish people spread to every corner of the planet – Ethiopia, Iraq, Iran, the USSR, Morocco, Brazil, the US and more – and the dispersion collectively became known as the Diaspora.

Israel is where we have come together again. Israeli Jews have taken their traditions from Austria and Zimbabwe, from Berlin and from Bangalore and brought them together in the Jewish homeland, creating a rich melting pot of cultures.

Israeli society takes the “melting pot” phenomenon a step further with its mandatory army conscription, which gives citizens of all backgrounds the opportunity to succeed and develop national pride. I witnessed it first-hand during my mandatory IDF service. People from different countries, who practice different religions, who have different skin colors, who were born to different family circumstances, all start at the same humbling place. And all – Mizrahi, Ashkenazi, Sephardi, Druze, Bedouin, Coptic, Arab Muslim, Assyrian and more – can be part of the Israeli army.

When we #Celebrate70, we don’t honor only Israel’s incredible accomplishments, but Israel’s shared values and strong alliance with America. From partnerships in business, innovation, technology and academia to celebrating history and culture, Israel and America are great allies. Our shared dreams, our shared values and our shared commitment mean that this year, Americans across the country are proud to say, “Happy Birthday Israel, and many more.”

The author is an Israeli-American philanthropist, national chairman of the Israeli-American Council, real estate entrepreneur and president of the Adam and Gila Milstein Family Foundation.

Original post on The Jerusalem Post

By attending the AIPAC conference, it gave me an insight into Israel of which I was never exposed. For the first time in my life, I became involved in politics. Now that I have experienced the Policy conference, I will now act differently in a way that will help strengthen the United States – Israel relationship. This conference showed me all of the wonderful things that Israel has to offer, and the power we can have when so many people come together to advocate for Israel.

My intentions are simplistic, yet will be very effective. I learned at a young age that each of us can make a difference in the world. One person’s involvement can have a domino effect on the involvement of other people. Next year I intend to become involved in campus pro – Israel organizations that will promote a better relationship between America and Israel. I would like to reach out to many of the congressmen and congresswomen who were at the conference and talk with them about the concerns involving the different policies and also ask general questions related to Israel and advocacy. I will also become an activist towards Israel while sharing what I have learned and being passionate about my love for Israel.

Becoming involved in campus pro – Israel organizations will help me to improve the relationship between Israel and the United States of America. I plan to become involved with groups such as Students Supporting Israel, Israel on Campus Coalition, and Zionist Alliance. Each of these groups has at least one thing in common. They all support and love Israel.

I will reach out to many of the Congressmen or congresswoman who were at the Policy Conference. I hope that when I reach out to the congressmen or congresswomen, they will take what I say into consideration and be able to make a difference in the world. One of my personal favorite speakers was Ron Dermer. He spoke about the situation between Iran and Syria and how it is very volatile right now. A number of their positions is being targeted. The red lines will continue to be enforced. Nobody knows where the red lines are because it gives a certain amount of flexibility. We don’t want Iran to know where the red line is because we want them to be in a constant state of fear.

Written by a student from Southern NCSY

This was my first time being at the AIPAC Policy Conference, and to me, it was one of the most significant experiences in my life. The reason being is my family history, and how I grew up. My parents and older sister are from the former Soviet Union, specifically Minsk in Belarus. They left to Israel in 1989, shortly after my sister was born. They were the first ones in our family to go to Israel. In 1996 I was born, making me the first child born in Israel in my family. Sadly they left a few months before the turn of the century to come to the United States. But since then I have always gone back to visit my family. Growing up, my parents raised my sister and me in a very Zionist household. Along with our beliefs on Israel, my father also installed the appreciation of our political freedom in the United States, and from there spawned my appreciation of American Politics. My current career goal is to eventually become a United States Senator. For those reasons, I wanted to come to the AIPAC policy conference.

When I first arrived, I was in awe of how beautiful the area that Washington D.C. is. This being my first time seeing the Washington Monument, a sight that represents freedom in our country, something no one in my family had been able to experience for thousands of years. It inspired me to take full advantage of the conference. The first morning we left to explore the National Mall, just so I can see it in person for the first time. Afterward, we went to go explore the conference. We sat through all the speakers and listened to what they had to say. In the evenings we enjoyed networking with others at each of the reception events. I even had the pleasure of running into an old family friend that I haven’t been able to see in the past 5 years. Even with all the great things I had the pleasure of experiencing, there would be a few more things I would have liked to experience.

Being a business student, specifically in finance, I would have liked to see more about how organizations are providing students a chance to work with Israeli companies or Jewish ones here in the states. I think it would be more beneficial to target the students in State schools and community colleges, as it would help them see Israel in a better light. It would also undermine the BDS movement as it would take minority groups a new connection to Israel and swaying their opinion on being a part of the Anti-Israel movement. I would have also liked to see a chance for college students to speak to more industry leaders on social issues and how to inspire more people to be Pro-Israel through social media. But without all these changes, I still was excited and enjoyed my time at AIPAC. I can’t thank you enough for giving me this chance.

Written by an AEPi Brother