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I am pleased to share my latest post to The SHRM Blog on the importance of Holocaust
Remembrance Day.
The United States Congress created the Days of Remembrance as
our nation's annual commemoration of the Holocaust. This year,
Holocaust Remembrance Day (Yom HaShoah) is today, Thursday April
12, 2018.
During the Holocaust, more than 11 million human beings were
systemically murdered. That includes 6 million Jews, 2/3 of the
European Jewish community at that time. That percentage still
boggles my mind. In my family, the percentage was much higher.
But the numbers would have been even worse were it not for the
countless "righteous gentiles." The term "righteous
gentiles" is used to refer to those who are not Jewish and who
risked their lives to save Jews during the Holocaust. They are
specifically honored in Israel and throughout the world.
On a personal note, I thank the Polish Church that hid my great
aunt at their peril. Her daughter later adopted children from that
same Church. .
And, of course, there were the millions of American and other
service men and women who lost their lives in fighting Hitler's
machine. They, too, cannot be forgotten.
I share this link to one story of
their bravery. You can find so many more by using Google.
Unfortunately, this year Yom HaShoah feels more significant than
ever, at least to me. Anti-Semitic acts and attitudes are,
according to numerous reports, at post-Holocaust highs
worldwide.
So what does this have to do with Human Resources? Of course,
one connection to Holocaust Remembrance Day is the
"human" in human resources. But it is more than just
that.
This is not a day or week in which we celebrate the achievement
or contribution of any group or people. In remembering the Shoah in
our workplaces, we are reminded of how important it is that we
brook no hate. It is also a time to recognize those employees whose
lives were affected and shaped by this horrific period in
history.
One way to do so is simply to post on your Intranet a
remembrance statement. You can find words and images all over the
Internet. You still have time to do something today.
This is also a great topic for a diversity and inclusion program
. The diversity in experience but the universal message that
includes all: we cannot tolerate intolerance against any faith,
race, ethnicity, etc.
Include in your anti-harassment training examples of
Anti-Semetic comments or actions. Of course, this must be in the
context of religion harassment more broadly.
And, of course, every day, we must do our best to make sure that
hate has no place in our workplaces. A strong policy is not enough.
When it comes to hate-based harassment, if you are in human
resources or other leader, there is no such thing as a
"passive bystander." To ignore is to be complicit.
As Jews, we often say "Never Again." And, when we say
that, we mean to anyone–at any time–anywhere.
Shalom (Peace) to all.
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