Capital District Jewish Holocaust Memorial

10/06/2026

A Message from Capital District Jewish Holocaust Memorial, Inc. (CDJHM)

Today, on Israel’s National Day of Remembrance for the October 7 Disaster, we pause to remember the innocent lives stolen, those taken hostage, the families shattered, and the communities forever changed by the horrific attacks of October 7, 2023.

For Capital District Jewish Holocaust Memorial, remembrance is not only about preserving the past. It is also about recognizing the consequences of hatred in our own time.

The Holocaust stands as history’s most devastating warning of what can happen when antisemitism, dehumanization, intolerance, and indifference are allowed to grow unchecked. October 7 was not the Holocaust, but the deliberate murder, torture, kidnapping, and terror directed at Jews that day was a searing reminder that the hatred which made the Holocaust possible did not disappear with the end of World War II.

That connection speaks directly to CDJHM’s mission.

We exist to memorialize the victims of the Holocaust, to educate future generations about its history, and to confront the dangers of antisemitism, racism, hatred, and all forms of intolerance. We believe remembrance carries with it a responsibility: to recognize hatred, to challenge it before it becomes normalized, and to inspire individuals to find the moral courage to act rather than remain silent.

The wounds of October 7 remain deeply present in Israel, in Jewish communities throughout the world, and here in New York and across our country. We hold closely in our hearts the survivors, the families of those murdered and taken hostage, and all who continue to live with the pain and trauma of that day.

As we remember the babies, children, women, and men whose lives were taken, we recommit ourselves to the work of educating, honoring, inspiring, and connecting.

We educate so history is understood.

We honor so those who were lost are never reduced to statistics.

We inspire moral courage so hatred and indifference are confronted.

And we connect the lessons of the Holocaust to the responsibility each generation carries to stand against antisemitism and hate wherever they appear.

October 7 reminds us, painfully and urgently, why this work matters.

May the memories of those murdered on October 7 be a blessing. May we continue to remember them, stand with those who mourn them, and honor them through our determination to build a future grounded in knowledge, courage, responsibility, and hope.

08/03/2026

Eighty-two years ago, on the night of August 2–3, 1944, the N***s murdered approximately 4,300 Roma and Sinti children, women, and men—the last prisoners held in the Zigeunerfamilienlager (the "Gypsy Family Camp") at Auschwitz II–Birkenau. In a single night, they were forced into the gas chambers, bringing a horrific end to the camp that had been established to imprison Roma and Sinti families.
Since 2011, August 2 has been observed in Poland as the Day of Remembrance for the Genocide of the Roma and Sinti, and since 2015 it has been recognized across Europe as a day to honor the victims of this often-overlooked chapter of the Holocaust.
As we remember those who were murdered, we also reaffirm our commitment to Holocaust education. Capital District Jewish Holocaust Memorial, Inc.'s mission is to educate, honor, connect, and inspire by teaching the enduring lessons of the Holocaust so that this tragedy is never repeated. Remembering every victim—and every community targeted by N**i hatred—is essential to preserving historical truth and human dignity.
This solemn anniversary also serves as a warning. The escalation of hate, prejudice, racism, antisemitism, and the targeting of minority communities in our own time demands our attention and our action. History teaches that genocide does not begin with mass murder; it begins with words, stereotypes, discrimination, and the dehumanization of others. We must take heed of these warning signs wherever they appear.
Today, we honor the memory of the 4,300 Roma and Sinti victims murdered on that tragic night, and we recommit ourselves to building a world where hatred is confronted with education, remembrance, and the courage to stand up for one another.
May their memories be a blessing, and may we never forget.

07/24/2026

Public officials have an extraordinary responsibility. Their words can unite communities, reduce tensions, and reinforce our shared values—or they can deepen divisions and embolden hate. Words matter.

The Holocaust did not begin with gas chambers. It began with the normalization of hate, dehumanizing rhetoric, and the gradual acceptance of discrimination against Jewish people and other targeted groups. That hatred evolved into exclusion, persecution, and ultimately genocide. History reminds us that when hateful rhetoric goes unchecked, the consequences can be devastating.

Capital District Jewish Holocaust Memorial's mission is to educate, honor, connect and inspire by teaching the enduring lessons of the Holocaust so that this tragedy is never repeated. We educate our community because remembrance alone is not enough; we must recognize the warning signs of hatred and confront them before they escalate.

New York City is home to one of the largest Jewish communities in the world. At a time when antisemitism is rising, elected leaders have a duty to help bring people together, protect vulnerable communities, and reject rhetoric that fuels hostility and division.

We call on Mayor Mamdani to use the power of his office to lower the temperature, condemn antisemitism unequivocally, and ensure that Jewish New Yorkers—and all minority communities—feel safe, valued, and protected. Political disagreement is a cornerstone of democracy, but it must never come at the expense of our shared humanity.

The lessons of history are clear: hate begins with words. Leadership begins with choosing them wisely.

07/03/2026

As America marks its 250th birthday, Capital District Jewish Holocaust Memorial (CDJHM) invites you to celebrate the promise of liberty, democracy, and the belief that every person is created equal. This birthday is not only about looking back. It is also about asking what kind of future you want to help build for the next generation.

From the earliest days of our country, Jewish Americans have been part of the American story. They helped show why religious freedom matters. In 1790, George Washington wrote to the Jewish community in Newport, Rhode Island. He said that America would give “to bigotry no sanction, to persecution no assistance.” In simpler words, he promised that this new country should not support hate or help those who persecute others.

Today, that promise still needs your help.

Antisemitism is rising. It is fed by ignorance, lies, and hate. At the same time, fewer Holocaust survivors are still with us to tell their own stories. That means the responsibility now belongs to you. You can help keep their memories alive. You can help make sure students learn what happened. You can help make sure the lessons of the Holocaust are not forgotten.

The Holocaust did not begin with mass murder. It began with prejudice. It began with lies. It began when people looked away. When you remember this history, you help stop hate before it grows.

America’s 250th birthday reminds us all that freedom is never guaranteed. Freedom must be protected by people who know history, reject hate, and stand up for the dignity of every human being.

Your generosity can help make that possible. Your donation to the Capital District Jewish Holocaust Memorial will help educate students, preserve the memory of the Holocaust, fight Holocaust denial and distortion, and help future generations recognize and resist antisemitism in all its forms.

You can support CDJHM’s mission by making a donation at:

https://www.cdjhm.org/contribute/

With your help, the lessons of history will not be forgotten. With your support, the values on which America was founded can remain strong for the next 250 years.

As you celebrate America’s past, you can also invest in its future—a future where memory is stronger than denial, education is stronger than ignorance, courage is stronger than silence, and hope is stronger than hate.

This is your generation’s responsibility. With your support, it can also be your legacy.

Together, you help us Educate. Honor. Connect. Inspire.

Donate to a Jewish Holocaust Memorial in NY to support Holocaust remembrance, honor its victims, and fund education efforts that help future generations better understand its history.

05/21/2026

Jewish American Heritage Month provides an opportunity for Capitol District Jewish Holocaust Memorial (CDJHM) to recognize and celebrate the enduring contributions Jewish Americans have made to our nation and especially to New York State. From public service and education to science, business, labor, the arts, and civil rights, Jewish New Yorkers have helped shape the cultural, economic, and civic life of our communities for generations.

New York became home to many Holocaust survivors who transformed personal tragedy into extraordinary public service and cultural contribution. Among the most influential was Elie Wiesel, who lived and taught in New York and dedicated his life to Holocaust remembrance, human rights, and combating hatred worldwide. Many survivors also contributed quietly but profoundly to the city’s civic and cultural life — founding businesses, supporting hospitals and universities, strengthening Jewish communal institutions, and helping make New York a global center for tolerance, immigration, and remembrance. Their lives helped turn New York into not only a refuge, but also a place dedicated to memory, education, and human dignity.

Thus, Holocaust education is essential to preserving the truth of history, honoring the memory of the six million Jews murdered during the Holocaust, and teaching future generations about the dangers of hatred, prejudice, and indifference. As survivors become fewer in number, the responsibility to educate and bear witness becomes even more urgent.

Jewish American Heritage Month also reminds us that antisemitism remains a serious and growing threat. Acts of hate and intolerance against Jewish individuals and institutions continue to occur across the country and here in New York. We must confront antisemitism wherever it appears and work together to build communities grounded in dignity, understanding, and mutual respect.

We are grateful to New York State's elected leaders, including Governor Kathy Hochul, who have made statements in support of Jewish American Heritage Month in 2026. In her statement Governor Hochul reaffirmed her commitment to fighting antisemitism, saying, "This Jewish American Heritage Month, we recommit to standing up to antisemitism and celebrating the great achievements of our Jewish brothers and sisters." In December 2025 Governor Hochul signed a law to create a state-sponsored, CDJHM-inspired Holocaust Memorial at the State Capitol in Albany.

Capital District Jewish Holocaust Memorial is committed to promoting Holocaust education, preserving memory, and standing against antisemitism and all forms of hatred. By learning from the past and recognizing the contributions of Jewish Americans, we strengthen our shared commitment to democracy, human rights, and justice for all.

05/12/2026

Capital District Jewish Holocaust Memorial strongly and unequivocally condemns the defacing of Stolpersteine in Italy and Sweden. These cowardly acts are not vandalism alone — they are deliberate acts of antisemitism and hate directed against the memory of innocent Jewish men, women, and children who were persecuted, deported, and murdered during the Holocaust.

The Stolpersteine, or “stumbling stones,” serve as powerful and deeply personal memorials placed outside the homes from which victims were torn away. The individuals commemorated in Turin and Oslo were deported to Auschwitz and other N**i death camps simply because they were Jewish. These markers ensure that the victims are not reduced to statistics, but remembered as human beings with names, families, homes, and lives stolen by N**i brutality.

Attempts to desecrate these memorials are attacks not only on Jewish memory, but on historical truth itself. At a time when antisemitism is rising globally and Holocaust distortion and denial continue to spread, memorialization and education are more important than ever. Preserving the memory of the Holocaust is essential to combating hatred, ignorance, and indifference.

Capital District Jewish Holocaust Memorial stands in solidarity with all those committed to preserving Holocaust memory. We reaffirm our commitment to Holocaust education, remembrance, and the responsibility to speak out against antisemitism in all its forms. Silence and indifference can never be an option.

We must continue to teach future generations where hatred and dehumanization can lead. To honor the victims is to defend truth, protect memory, and ensure that “Never Again” is not merely a phrase, but a continuing moral obligation.

04/13/2026

On this Yom HaShoah, we, the board of Capital District Jewish Holocaust Memorial, continue to fulfill the sacred duty of Zikaron—remembrance.

We stand in solemn tribute to the six million Jewish children, women, and men who were murdered during the Shoah, and the millions of others whose lives were extinguished by N**i tyranny. Here, in the heart of our community, we honor the survivors who rebuilt their lives in our neighborhoods, carrying the weight of history with quiet dignity and profound resilience.

To remember is an active choice. By speaking their names and sharing their stories, we ensure that the flames of those lost are never truly extinguished. By educating others we hope the tragic lessons of the Holocaust will never be repeated. We reaffirm our commitment to confront antisemitism and hatred in all its forms, ensuring that "Never Again" is not just a phrase, but a lived promise.

May the memory of the victims be a blessing, may soon to be built New York State Holocaust Memorial serve as a permanent testament to the endurance of the Jewish people and the light of truth, and may we see an end to hate and prejudice for good.

03/19/2026

Capital District Jewish Holocaust Memorial is pleased to introduce our new and updated website.
We hope you will take a few minutes to check it out. Thank you.
https://www.cdjhm.org/?fbclid=IwdGRjcAQrHJdjbGNrBCsckWV4dG4DYWVtAjExAHNydGMGYXBwX2lkDDM1MDY4NTUzMTcyOAABHrHiTbt9gNteD2XBZM4Pm2fTFBewQjTJ9-gQNgZXjPUThdKvg0-ausvd3npJ_aem_2XnX33j-Qm3zdk2KBThAZg

Visit the Holocaust Memorial in New York, honoring six million Jews and educating future generations through programs based on Echoes & Reflections.

03/12/2026

The Capital District Jewish Holocaust Memorial expresses deep concern and sorrow over the alarming rise in antisemitic attacks targeting Jewish institutions around the world. The recent attack on Temple Israel in West Bloomfield, Michigan, is one of at least five such incidents reported globally in the past week, underscoring a deeply troubling trend.

Jewish communities everywhere are feeling the impact of these acts of hatred. For many, this moment brings not only anger and sadness, but also fear. When houses of worship and community institutions become targets, it sends a chilling message to Jewish families, students, and congregants who simply wish to practice their faith and live in peace.

The Capital District Jewish Holocaust Memorial calls on all people of conscience to stand up and speak out clearly against antisemitism and violence. Silence allows hatred to grow.

We ask our friends, neighbors, community leaders, and institutions to do something simple but powerful: reach out to the Jewish people in your communities. Let them know that you care. Let them know that they are not alone. Let them know that hatred and violence have no place in our society.

Moments like these remind us why Holocaust education and remembrance remain so essential. As the number of living Holocaust survivors diminishes, our responsibility to teach the consequences of hatred and indifference becomes even greater. Education helps build communities of upstanders—people who refuse to remain silent in the face of injustice.

Together, we must reaffirm our shared commitment to dignity, tolerance, and the protection of all communities from hatred.

Capital District Jewish Holocaust Memorial (CDJHM)

Educate. Honor. Connect. Inspire.

02/25/2026

CAPITAL DISTRICT JEWISH HOLOCAUST MEMORIAL RECEIVES FEDERAL FUNDING FOR ITS TRAVELING EDUCATION PROGRAM

ALBANY, NY - Capital District Jewish Holocaust Memorial, Inc. (CDJHM) today announced that it will receive $600,000 in federal funding to support and expand its Traveling Holocaust Education Program. The funding, originally proposed by U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand and signed into law in February, will enable CDJHM to accelerate the rollout of its Traveling Memorial and related educational initiatives across New York State.

Once received this critical investment will empower CDJHM to be able to fast-track pop-up educational exhibits designed for schools, museums, and community centers, bringing Holocaust education directly to communities where access may otherwise be limited. The Traveling Memorial program focuses on educating students and the public about the Holocaust, the dangers of antisemitism, and the consequences of hatred left unchecked.

"We are deeply grateful to U.S. Senator Charles Schumer, U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, and U.S. Congressman Paul Tonko for securing this vital funding for Holocaust education,” said Dan Dembling, CDJHM President. “Senator Gillibrand recognized the unique and proactive nature of our education programs and the value they bring to communities throughout New York State. This support will allow us to make Holocaust education more accessible and impactful, ensuring that more people understand the devastating consequences of hatred. As firsthand stories of the Holocaust continue to fade, the urgency to remember, to educate, and to work together toward tikkun olam - healing the world - has never been greater.”

Senator Schumer said, “I am pleased to support Senator Gillibrand’s initiative to fund the Capital District Jewish Holocaust Memorial’s traveling educational programming. This awful chapter of human history must never be forgotten, and efforts like this one will help educate future generations about the Holocaust so that it will never be repeated.”

“The Capital District Jewish Holocaust Memorial honors the memory of those lost in the Holocaust by educating the next generation about the perils of repeating the past,” said Senator Gillibrand. “Antisemitism is unacceptable anywhere it occurs. I was proud to secure federal funding for CDJHM’s educational memorials, and I will continue working to bring home federal dollars to help combat rising antisemitism in our country.”

Congressman Tonko said, “I’m thrilled to celebrate this important infusion of federal funding — a testament to the importance of accessible Holocaust education and to the vital role played by Capital District Jewish Holocaust Memorial in delivering these essential learning experiences to people and communities who might otherwise lack access to them. This award will allow CDJHM to further expand its Traveling Holocaust Education Program across New York State, providing learners with an opportunity to connect with this important history and to understand how antisemitism and other forms of hate can lead to deadly violence. Now more than ever, it is essential that we equip ourselves and our children with the tools and inspiration to speak out and care for our neighbors. This funding will help CDJHM do just that, and I’m eager to see how this organization will utilize these resources to help build a better world.”

CDJHM’s Traveling Memorials are specially designed to deliver immersive learning experiences in communities where Holocaust education may be difficult to access. The exhibits are enhanced with interactive features and digital learning modules accessed through QR codes embedded throughout the display, allowing learners to engage deeply with the material wherever they live in New York State. Understanding how antisemitism and other forms of hate can escalate into violence—and ultimately genocide—is a critical lesson for learners of all ages.

Founded in 2018, CDJHM is a 501(c)3 registered nonprofit organization dedicated to memorializing the six million Jews and other innocent victims of the Holocaust while educating the public about the consequences of hatred, brutality, and apathy. That vision reached a major milestone in December 2025, when New York State enacted legislation to create a permanent New York State Holocaust Memorial at the Empire State Plaza in Albany.

Through its memorial and innovative education programs, CDJHM honors the victims and survivors of the Holocaust, recognizes the rescuers and liberators who stood up to the N**i regime, and connects present and future generations to the lessons of history. By fostering awareness, empathy, and moral courage, CDJHM seeks to inspire individuals to stand up, speak out, and work toward a more just and tolerant world.

For more information about the Capital District Jewish Holocaust Memorial, visit www.cdjhm.org.