Remarks by Ambassador John J. Sullivan
International Holocaust Remembrance Day
Jewish Museum and Tolerance Center
January 27, 2020
Rabbi Lazar, Rabbi Boroda, honored guests. As you probably know, I arrived in Moscow less than two weeks ago, and this is one of the first public events in which I have had the opportunity to participate.
Thank you for inviting me to join with you at this solemn event for International Holocaust Remembrance Day. As others have recalled, I am mindful that today marks the 75th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau, a horrific concentration camp where over a million people perished.
In observing International Holocaust Remembrance Day, we join people all over the world in honoring the victims of this unparalleled crime against humanity. We mourn the six million Jews and millions of Slavs, Roma, Jehovah’s Witnesses, LGBTI individuals, and persons with disabilities who were so cruelly murdered by the Nazi regime.
I stand before you today to underscore the United States’ unwavering commitment to preserving the memory of the Holocaust and doing everything possible to prevent anything like it from happening ever again.
Russians, Americans, and all nations, have a moral obligation not only to recognize the atrocities committed during the Holocaust, but also to learn from them. We have a moral obligation to confront hatred, prejudice, and discrimination wherever we see them. We have a moral obligation to combat anti-Semitism, and to teach our children the values of tolerance, acceptance, and love.
The strength and bravery of those who survived the Holocaust has always inspired me, and it is critical that we preserve their voices for future generations.
I am encouraged by the incredible work that the Jewish Museum and Tolerance Center has done here in Russia toward that goal. The beautiful new exhibit that opens today shows how, even under the most horrific circumstances, people never lose their capacity to hope, love, and forgive.
Thank you again for the opportunity to speak before you today. I look forward to working with the Federation of Jewish Communities of Russia and other Jewish leaders, the Russian government, and representatives of other faith communities in promoting tolerance and interfaith cooperation during my time as Ambassador here.
Siku ya Ukumbusho wa Holocaust ya Kimataifa: Jumba la Makumbusho la Kiyahudi na Kituo cha Uvumilivu Januari 27, 2020 Rabbi Lazar, Rabbi Boroda, wageni wa heshima """Kama unavyojua, niliwasili Moscow chini ya wiki mbili zilizopita, na hii ni moja ya matukio ya kwanza ya umma ambayo nimekuwa na fursa ya kushiriki." """Nashukuru kwa kunialika kushirikiana nanyi katika tukio hili la heshima kwa ajili ya Siku ya Kimataifa ya Ukumbusho wa Maangamizi Makubwa ya Wayahudi." "Mimi na ndugu zangu wachache tulikuwa na wasiwasi kuhusu tukio la siku ya ukombozi wa kambi ya Auschwitz-Birkenau, ""kambi ya mateso"" ambayo iliua watu zaidi ya milioni moja." Katika kuadhimisha Siku ya Kimataifa ya Ukumbusho wa Maangamizi Makubwa ya Wayahudi, tunashirikiana na watu duniani kote kuheshimu waathirika wa uhalifu huu usio na kifani dhidi ya ubinadamu. "Tunaomboleza kwa ajili ya Wayahudi milioni sita na mamilioni ya Waslavonia, Waromani, Mashahidi wa Yehova, watu wa jamii ya LGBTI, na watu wenye ulemavu ambao waliuawa kwa ukatili na utawala wa Nazi.""" """Ninasimama mbele yenu leo ili kukazia ahadi ya Marekani ya kudumisha kumbukumbu ya maangamizi ya Wayahudi na kufanya kila kitu kinachowezekana kuzuia kitu kama hicho kisitokee tena." """Waruusi, Wamarekani na mataifa yote yana wajibu wa kimaadili, sio tu kutambua ukatili uliofanywa wakati wa Holocaust, lakini pia kujifunza kutoka kwao." Tuna wajibu wa kiadili wa kukabiliana na chuki, ubaguzi, na ubaguzi popote tunapowaona. Tuna wajibu wa kimaadili kupambana na upinzani wa Kiyahudi, na kuwafundisha watoto wetu maadili ya uvumilivu, kukubali, na upendo. """Nimekuwa nikichochewa na nguvu na ujasiri wa wale waliopona Holocaust, na ni muhimu kwamba tuhifadhi sauti zao kwa vizazi vijavyo." "Ninafurahi sana kwa kazi kubwa ambayo Jumba la Makumbusho la Kiyahudi na Kituo cha Uvumilivu vimefanya hapa Urusi kuelekea lengo hilo. """ Maonyesho hayo ya ajabu yanaonyesha jinsi hata katika hali mbaya zaidi watu wanavyoweza kuwa na tumaini, upendo na msamaha. Asanteni tena kwa fursa ya kuzungumza nanyi leo. """Ninatarajia kufanya kazi na Shirikisho la Jumuiya za Kiyahudi za Urusi na viongozi wengine wa Kiyahudi, serikali ya Urusi na wawakilishi wa jamii zingine za imani katika kukuza uvumilivu na ushirikiano wa dini wakati wa muda wangu hapa kama Balozi,"" alisema."