Adalbert Berkovits, photographed in 1942 in Simleu-Silvaniei, Romania. Two years later, he was killed at Auschwitz. US Holocaust Memorial Museum, courtesy of Elly Berkovits Gross
Elie Wiesel, the Museum’s founding chairman, was deported to Auschwitz with his family in May 1944. He was selected for forced labor and survived. He later said, “I thought in 1945 antisemitism died in Auschwitz, but I was wrong. Its victims perished, antisemitism did not.”
The United Nations has designated January 27, the anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau, as a time to remember the six million Jewish victims of the Holocaust and the millions of other victims of Nazi persecution. As we mark the 80th anniversary of that liberation, we are witnessing a global surge in antisemitism. Join us at the Museum to remember the victims, honor the survivors, and reaffirm the lessons of the Holocaust. Visit on January 27 to:
- Read names in the Hall of Remembrance from 10 a.m.–4:30 p.m. (use your own list or one provided for you). You may also listen to others read names or light a memorial candle.
- Receive a special commemorative pin that will be distributed to all visitors.
- From 10 a.m.–2:30 p.m., watch a livestream of the commemoration ceremony at the Auschwitz-Birkenau Memorial and Museum.
- From 1–2:45 p.m., speak with Holocaust survivors who will be at the Museum to engage with visitors about their experiences.
- From 3–4:30 p.m., watch a special episode of the Museum’s award-winning Stay Connected Live series in the Helena Rubinstein Auditorium.
Find more information about visiting the Museum at ushmm.org/visit.
