The Holocaust is a permanent scaron the face of humanity and the world. Millions of innocent people were killed in cold blood while survivors have wounds -- both mental and physical -- that will never heal. No matter how much we as a society try to wrap our minds around it, the Holocaust will forever be one of those far too surreal events with which we will never come to terms.

In honor of International Holocaust Remembrance Day, which takes place on the anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau, January 27, 1945, young adults around the world are speaking up about why this day is so important to them. We hope that collectively, they will ignite a conversation about what it means to be Jewish today, what it means to fight against hatred and racism, and what it really means to "never forget."

1. Practice Tolerance and Create Justice

"This past May, I was fortunate enough to attend The March of the Living, a journey that starts with a week in Poland and then concludes with a week in Israel. The trip is designed to bring Jewish people from all over the world together to commemorate the Holocaust and all of the lives that were lost. Before going on this trip, I had only learned about the Holocaust from books and lessons taught in class. I was lucky to have attended a school where Holocaust education was prioritized, and I always knew that my next step in learning about it would be to actually visit the concentration camps in Poland, in person -- and going on The March of the Living allowed me to do so. Once we entered the gates of Birkenau, it felt like the gates of hell unlatched. For a second, we all got to feel what it would have been like if we were there just 70 years earlier; it was like a light was switched off in our souls. Because of this trip, I will never act as a bystander or take life for granted. I am extremely thankful that I was able to attend this trip and take part in such an important experience. On that day, I vowed to make sure that not one victim of the Holocaust died in vain, to never forget, and to always love, practice tolerance, and create justice. Never again." -- Julia Ellis

2. Be Resilient

"Sometimes it's hard to fathom that the Holocaust was an event that actually happened. How could the world stand by as six million Jews and five million others were murdered in the most grotesque of ways possible? International Holocaust Remembrance Day comes with the reminder to never forget, never again. Never forget our brothers and sisters who perished in the gas chambers, those who watched their families taken and killed. And most importantly, NEVER again. Anti-Semitism is not dead and we must not let these events happen again. One way that we can try and prevent it is to support and protect Israel. As a group, Jews have been in exile since the beginning of time. Israel is the proof that we are no longer in exile nor will we allow ourselves to be ever again. My grandfather was 17-years-old when he escaped Hungary after having lost his entire family to the gas chambers in Auschwitz. He was an orphan in Paris for years and then moved to Israel to fight in the War of Independence. It is because of our resilience that we are still here. Every time I turn on the news, it seems as if the whole world is against Israel. Take International Holocaust Remembrance Day as the reminder that without Israel, these events are more likely to happen again. Without Israel, we are still a people in exile." -- Natalie Stegman

3. Stand Up and Speak Out

"The Holocaust teaches us how important it is for us to stand up and speak out when we see injustice. As this last generation of survivors is dying, we must tell their stories of courage, resistance, and renewal so that their voices will live on as lessons for future generations." -- Alexandra Myers

4. Spread Awareness

"To me, Holocaust Remembrance Day is a way to continue to spread awareness, to remember and honor the millions we lost, to reflect on the horrific events that occurred, and to recognize and be thankful for the major strides we have made since. It is important to acknowledge International Holocaust Remembrance Day and the pain and sorrow associated with it, but it is equally essential to fully appreciate the extreme bravery and perseverance of the Jewish people." -- Eliett Rakower

5. Fight anti-Semitism

"Growing up in Texas, I faced a lot of anti-Semitism. In Kindergarten, one of my classmates asked me if I was a "Channukian." A few years later, in third grade, I was asked where my Jewish horns were. In sixth grade, someone asked me why I was Jewish when Israel was so violent to Palestinians. As a senior in high school, a little girl told me that she didn't like or trust Jews because they were responsible for Jesus' death. International Holocaust Remembrance Day is not just about remembering what happened in the past. It's also a reminder for Jewish people around the world to stand up for ourselves, for our religion, and for our people. This day is about showing everyone that no matter how hard they try to intimidate the Jewish people, we are strong, we will fight, and we will remember." -- Jessica Lewis

6. Educate the Youth

"We are the last generation to have the privilege of learning directly from those who survived the Holocaust. Now more than ever, it is our responsibility to educate those who are younger and pass on the first-hand accounts of our ancestors. It is our responsibility to understand that we cannot misattribute blame to others for our own misfortunes. It is our responsibility to realize that every individual contributes to the circumstances and states of our nations. It is our responsibility to know that there is no inferior race and to treat all people with the respect our ancestors should have received. International Holocaust Remembrance Day is not only a day to reflect and remember the six million Jews who were murdered and the wrongdoings of the Holocaust, but also to remind us to take action. So how will you honor those who lost their lives? What will you do?" -- Anonymous

7. Continue to Learn

"In sixth grade, I read the 'Diary of Anne Frank' in one of my classes. In eighth grade, I went to the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum in Washington, D.C. In tenth grade, I had the privilege of being able to listen to Holocaust survivor's stories. In my sophomore year of college, I traveled to Israel and visited Yad Vashem. In my junior year of college, I visited the Anne Frank Museum in Amsterdam, as well as the Dachau concentration camp in Germany. Collectively, these experiences formed what International Holocaust Remembrance Day means to me -- that although it's heartbreaking to hear or talk about, it's absolutely crucial that we never stop sharing our ancestor's stories. The Holocaust was a horrendous part of world history, but it would be even more appalling to forget the millions of innocent lives that were taken. Throughout my life, I plan to continue to educate myself about the Holocaust and I will encourage family and friends to do the same." -- Danielle Mandir

8. Listen to Survivors

"I often think about how our generation is the last to be able to meet and hear firsthand the stories of Holocaust survivors. Our children won’t have the chance to know these people in real life. This gives us, as young adults, a greater responsibility to educate others about the atrocities that occurred. As a Jewish millennial, I feel the full weight of this responsibility. International Holocaust Remembrance Day is a time to reflect on what the Jewish people and other marginalized groups have been through, but more than that, it should be a reminder to educate others to ensure that history does not repeat itself." -- Leah Wittenberg

9. Embrace Our Faith

"Two years ago, I had the opportunity to visit Poland and see some of the concentration camps where unfathomable things happened to our ancestors. I will be forever changed from that journey and now look at International Holocaust Remembrance Day completely differently. To me, it is the day to remember, mourn, reflect and embrace what Judaism has become today. We survived when they tried to exterminate us. To me, that is something to take pride in. We need to remember to never forget." -- Melissa Wasser

10. Appreciate Our Ancestors

"It is up to future generations to keep commemorating this genocide, so the Jewish people do not forget their history. We must uphold awareness in order to appreciate those who fought and sacrificed their lives for the Jewish heritage." -- Dana Glatzer

11. Be Proud of Who You Are

"Throughout my life, the idea of never forgetting what happened to my ancestors during the Holocaust has been instilled in my brain. I grew up attending a Jewish day school, learning about the traditions and history of my people, observing Yom HaZikaron or International Holocaust Remembrance Day every year. To me, this is more than just a day to remember the horrors that happened during the Holocaust, but a day to remember that I should always be proud to show who I am and to treasure my Jewish identity. I went on a trip to Poland last year, and I got a glimpse into what the ghettos and concentration camps really looked like. After seeing, in person, how real and truly horrifying they truly were, I have a completely new outlook on life. I have always known and heard stories from survivors and tried to imagine what they were explaining, but after seeing these places in the flesh, I still have a hard time putting my thoughts into words. Seeing what was created and how large-scale the hatred for people just like me was throughout Poland, I was horrified. This day, and every other day, we must never forget. We must never forget about the soil of Europe being tainted by the monsters who tried to eradicate us. We must never forget the brave souls who fought against them. We must never forget." -- Elana Israeli

12. Remain Strong and Keep Fighting

"Even though I grew up in a primarily Jewish town, I used to joke that I was Jew-ish because I never had a Bat Mitzvah or went to Hebrew School. It wasn't until I became friends a large group of Jewish people in college and went on Birthright that I finally felt a connection to my heritage. Those experiences shaped my understanding of what it means to be Jewish and helped me feel a sense or pride that I hadn't felt before. International Holocaust Remembrance Day is a reminder that we must keep our traditions, no matter what they may be, alive. We, as a people, need to remain strong and diligent, and we need to keep fighting." -- Samantha Rosen

13. Honor Their Fight

"I am a granddaughter of four Holocaust survivors, so I feel a sense of obligation to always educate others of the atrocities that my ancestors went through. They fought for not only their survival but also for their right to be Jewish. I believe that it is our job as young adults to honor their fight and keep Judaism alive." -- Lindsay Weisleder

14. Keep Our Eyes Open

"Six months ago, I spent my solo trip to Europe visiting World War II museums, Holocaust memorials, and labor camps in Prague, Berlin, Hamburg and Amsterdam. Three weeks ago, during my Birthright trip, I had the chance to visit Yad Vashem. Thirty minutes ago, I heard Holocaust survivor Magda Mozes Herzberger speak about her experience in three different camps, and her will to keep her story alive. I have recently learned more about my family's Jewish history, as well as the world's history in regards to the Holocaust. I believe that everyone always has more to learn, no matter how much time it takes. At the beginning of what can only be a huge shift in politics and society, continuing to learn and educate one's self is more important than ever. It is one thing to read about the atrocities that occurred a lifetime ago, but we need to take the extra step and apply it to the present and the future. The actions of the past may be unthinkable, but we need to make sure they are unrepeatable. We need to keep our eyes open as we walk into the future, and we need to keep our mouths open so that we can speak up to share what we have learned and make sure that any inkling of repetition is challenged." -- Teal Waxelbaum

15. Make Sure History Never Repeats Itself

"I visited a concentration camp a few years ago. It was eerie to be in the place where 70 or so years ago, so many of my people were suffering. It was a stark reminder that we must never forget and fight to make sure that history never repeats itself." -- Brooke Landstein

16. Learn From the Past

"International Holocaust Remembrance Day is a day for reflection and introspection. It is an opportunity for me to reconnect with people like my great-grandparents, who were lucky enough to escape to the United States at the start of the war, as well as remember those who were not as fortunate. Although the world has made great strides, anti-Semitism still exists. At 8 years old, my best friend informed me that we couldn’t be friends anymore because her father said I was going to hell for being Jewish. At 16, while traveling away from my family for the first time, a peer on my trip told me that the Holocaust never happened. At 23, my boyfriend’s aunt sent him a four-page handwritten letter explaining why I should convert to another religion. At 25, another boyfriend broke up with me because he couldn't reconcile the fact that I was Jewish. International Holocaust Remembrance Day serves as a reminder of the tragedy and persecution faced by recent ancestors as well as a channel for furthering the conversation and working towards even more progress. It is a day to mourn the past, but also learn from it and take action to prevent hatred from turning to genocide ever again." -- Lauren Needell

17. Share Survivors' Stories

"To me, it is a day to cherish the people who survived the Holocaust, as well as remember the six million Jews who died. It is also a reminder that we must continue to educate ourselves by sharing our ancestors’ stories and visiting Holocaust memorials, because one day, the survivors of the Holocaust will no longer be with us to share their stories. That is how generations to come will never forget." -- Amanda Litman

18. Visit the Concentration Camps

"Recently, my family and I went on a trip to Europe. Our last stop was Prague, and while in Prague, my mom wanted to take an afternoon to visit Terezín, a concentration camp just an hour outside of the city. I wasn’t pleased with the idea, because who wants to end their vacation in Europe in a place where so many people were murdered? But since there's really no arguing with a Jewish mother, on we went. As we walked around the camp, our tour guide told us that this was one of the more 'mild' concentration camps. How a place like this could have ever been considered 'mild' was beyond me. Standing in a room smaller than my San Fransisco apartment where dozens of people were forced to live together, burned, and murdered in cold blood shook me to my core. Reading and learning about the Holocaust are one thing, but seeing where the events took place gave me a whole new perspective on it. It is an event we can never forget happened, and that we can never let happen again." -- Anonymous

19. Fight Against Holocaust Deniers

"This past weekend, I watched the movie 'Denial.' It's the story of a college professor who is accused of libel after including a World War II historian in her book about Holocaust deniers. In order to win this legal battle, the professor and her team of lawyers need to prove that the Holocaust did, in fact, occur. This movie really got me thinking: in 2017, could there still possibly be people who deny that millions of people were killed in a matter of years, in some of the most atrocious ways possible? The impossibility of this drives me to actively embrace and be proud of my Jewish heritage. International Holocaust Remembrance Day motivates me to educate others so that there will be no future 'debate' about whether or not the Holocaust happened." -- Dani Wirtshafter

20. Create Impactful Conversations

"International Holocaust Remembrance Day inspires impactful conversations that don’t just stop when the day is over. This day serves as a reminder to 'never forget' and deeply urges us to think and learn about how important of a role Judaism has played in our history and will forever shape and impact our society." -- Rachel M.

21. Archive and Share Survivors' Stories

"The most important part of International Holocaust Remembrance Day isn’t just honoring the lives that were tragically lost or dramatically changed forever, but also sharing what happened during that time in order to educate others and to make sure this never happens again. I recently had the privilege of visiting Yad Vashem in Jerusalem, and it made me realize just how much responsibility Jewish millennials have when it comes to remembering the Holocaust. Near the end of the tour, our guide asked us to raise our hands if we have ever directly heard a Holocaust survivor speak and share their story; the majority of us raised them. Next, she asked us how many of us thought our children would get the same chance to hear such a story. No one raised their hands. The realization struck me that we are the last generation to have this amazing opportunity. The effort to document, archive and share the personal stories of survivors has been incredible. It is increasingly crucial to do this as anti-Semitism and Holocaust denial has been on the rise again. I hope to be able to visit more Holocaust museums, memorials, and even concentration camps in order to educate myself further. We can't forget what happened, and must ensure it doesn't happen again." -- Kristopher Harris

22. Remember That We Are Still Here

"Several years ago, I was able to visit Dachau, a concentration camp in Germany, right outside of Munich. This was extremely meaningful to me because several members of my family were fortunate enough to escape Germany during the Holocaust, but had they not escaped, they could have ended up somewhere like Dachau. International Holocaust Remembrance Day is not only a day to remember the horrific events that took place, but to be thankful that over 70 years later, we are still here. They tried to eliminate the Jewish population, but we did not let them. International Holocaust Remembrance Day is a reminder of this and can be seen as motivation that we are still here and we will not let anyone destroy our people." -- Ilyssa Frank

23. Respect the Lives That Were Lost

"About three months ago, I asked my 86-year-old grandmother what she experienced during the war. She told me that her mother and brothers died in a gas chamber, she marched hundreds of miles in a death march, and that she miraculously survived three camps. I have grown up in the United States, and I am proud of my Jewish faith, my culture, and my history. For me, International Holocaust Remembrance Day is a time to remember those whose lives were cut short by the atrocities. But, I feel we must also rejoice that, despite all that we have gone through, 'Am Yisrael Chai' -- the nation of Israel lives." -- Tal Schauder

24. Do What You Know Is Right

"Having the opportunity to visit some of the concentration camps two years ago was an experience I will never forget. I felt numb being there; it didn’t make sense that tragic events occurred in the very places I stood. Something that really stuck with me was that these camps were visible to the outside world; a road ran right past a camp and people did not speak out. It blew my mind and out of everything I learned and saw, that will always stick out to me. How did people act like this was normal, why did everyone turn a blind eye that could see the horrible acts occurring? People were dying in gas chambers, being starved, and much worse, but life went on. Now, in 2017, International Holocaust Remembrance Day shows me the progress that we have made, but it also reminds me to not turn a blind eye to things I see every day. There are still scary and horrible things occurring in the world, but now we see people coming together to speak their minds and bring light to what is happening. I think this day should constantly remind people to do what is right even if everyone around you thinks it is wrong." -- Hannah Friedland

25. Forgive, But Not Forget

"To me, Holocaust Remembrance Day is a day to forgive, but not to forget. Those who perished in the Holocaust will never be forgotten, and their stories will live on from generation to generation. It is crucial that their stories be passed down and shared amongst generations in order to keep their spirits and memories alive." -- Anonymous

26. Connect With Your Heritage

"My grandfather, a World War II veteran, passed away this November. During the war, he bravely battled against the travesties facing our world at the time. He bestowed upon me a great pride for my Eastern European and Jewish heritage; he also made sure that I remembered Medzhybizh, the birthplace of Hasidism and the town that my family was from. He was so proud to have fought for his country and his Jewish faith. I will never forget watching my Poppy cry when he was remembering the Holocaust, or that finding out that Medzhybizh is inscribed on a glass wall in the United States Holocaust Museum. That small, little, forgotten town is not well known, but it is such an important part of who I am. In that moment, I had never felt so connected to my past. Remembering that history and those incredible hardships will help ensure that this tragedy never happens again." -- Lauren G.

27. Do Not Neglect Our History

"There is nothing more important than continuing to spread awareness about the atrocity of the Holocaust. Once we begin to neglect the importance of our history, we are victim to allowing the same thing to happen in our future." -- Josh Podrid

28. Pay Homage to a Lost World

"My family burned at Auschwitz. My grandmother was born on a refugee column in the Ukraine, pursued by the murderers of our people, and my grandfather narrowly escaped the camps and survived. Both of their families were completely annihilated. International Holocaust Remembrance Day is about remembering my family, what my grandfather and grandmother suffered, and paying homage to a world that will, unfortunately, never exist again." -- Joshua Jacobs

29. Understand the Victims

"I’ll never forget my visit to Yad Vashem in December of 2003 while on Birthright. I was in the museum and turned a corner, and I was suddenly face-to-face with a photograph of a young girl who resembled me. Same deep-set eyes, dark hair, and a smile just like my own. I stared at the photograph and chewed my lip for a moment. The Shoah has always been real to me, with family members and relatives and friends who spoke of it often and hearing from survivors firsthand. It causes me to remember how much of a catastrophe it really was. Yet, seeing that photograph made me hurt in a way that I cannot put into words. Knowing that another girl, just like me, had her entire life in front of her but was taken away way too soon due to pure hatred and evil, made me remember how much of a cataclysm the Shoah was. Whole families, whole cities, towns, and countrysides. An entire world. All gone. May we always remember." -- Mimi Premo

30. Don't Be Controlled By Hate

"I grew up with the number six million everywhere never really understanding what it meant. It wasn't until eleventh grade that I really grasped what everyone was talking about. That it wasn't simply a number, but each digit had a face, name, and family. My branch of the family was lucky -- they got away just in time. Many families were not as lucky. The Holocaust was a product of hatred, and that hatred tore families apart. To me, International Holocaust Remembrance Day is not only about remembering who we lost, not only as individuals or families, but as a people, and also a reminder that we can't let ourselves be controlled by hate. This should never happen again, to anyone, and it is up to us to guarantee it doesn't. To those who have been lost, in this Holocaust and others, may their memories be a blessing." -- Kfir Wiener

31. Keep Things In Perspective

"On International Holocaust Remembrance Day, we commemorate the lives of those who perished in history's largest genocide. To Jews, this day is especially purposeful, because we reflect, perhaps more than any other day, on the attempted extermination of the Jewish people, and we remind ourselves of not only our collective survival, but also of the resilience and strength of the Jewish community. We also remind ourselves that we will always do our best to prevent human genocide from occurring ever again. This day resonates with me on a more personal level, as well. Both of my grandparents on my father's side are Holocaust survivors, the only of my ancestors who were not slaughtered by Hitler. Each escaped the trains that were delivering them to their death camps, and each had a treacherous path to ultimate survival, including stories they will never share. One in particular that my grandfather did reveal was when he was a teenager, working away from home at a bakery several towns away to support his family, and he could only afford to travel home every other weekend. One day he arrived home to find his parents and siblings gone, taken by the Nazis, and the entire town desolate. These were realities that today are unimaginable. To me, I take a moment and remind myself almost every day how fortunate I am to have many freedoms, to be fed, to have shelter, and to have the privilege of my biggest worry of the day to be 'what will I get for lunch today?' Any challenges in life can be overcome, and any goals in life can be achieved, so long as our circumstances are more favorable than those for whom we are remembering. And most importantly, this day reminds me to always be a good person. Some of the nicest human beings I have ever met were Holocaust survivors. If they can have experienced such horrors and still carry their lives without a shred of malice, then we should all strive to carry ourselves as decent human beings." -- Jon Cukierwar

32. Spread Awareness and Remember the Victims

"Yom Hashoah Ve-Hagevurah -- literally the 'Day of (Remembrance of) the Holocaust and the Heroism.' This day is so significant because it is a way to continue to spread awareness, to remember the victims of this catastrophe, and ensure that such a tragedy never happens again." -- Anonymous

33. Fight Against Evil

"Last month, I had the privilege to visit the Anne Frank Museum in Amsterdam. I have heard Anne’s story countless times growing up, but to hear it alongside people from all over the world was an experience unlike any other. With anti-Semitism on the rise today and with the next generation to likely not live alongside Holocaust survivors, it is so important to vow to never forget, now more than ever. My experience taught me the importance of being proud of my culture, and to vow to never stand idle as long as there is evil present in this world." -- Mallory Block

34. Educate Future Generations

"International Holocaust Remembrance Day is a day to remember how more than six million Jews were murdered, but it is also a day to remember many other things. We must remember how hatred ruled over nearly an entire continent, how a lack of action allowed millions of innocent lives to suffer, how neighbors and friends turned on each other, how entire nations were brainwashed, and how our Jewish ancestors lost everything -- their homes, their clothes, their belongings, their families, and their lives. Remembering the Holocaust sometimes scares me, but the thought of future generations not remembering the Holocaust is terrifying. We must remember because those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it." -- Julia Honovich

35. Cherish Your Family

"It’s a miracle that my grandfather and his brother survived both Auschwitz and Bergen-Belsen. That being said, the rest of our family was gassed. My grandfather is traumatized by Europe to the point that he refused to teach us Hungarian or Yiddish. I don’t blame him; I blame the murderers -- entire languages, cultures, customs, and communities were wiped out. Never again." -- Ethan Borst

36. Visit Yad Vashem

"Three years ago, I had the opportunity to go on Birthright and went to Yad Vashem, the World Holocaust Remembrance Center. My group was fortunate enough to listen to a Holocaust survivor speak about his experience; his story is something that I will never forget and will continue to tell others about for the rest of my life. You hear the stories and you see the pictures, and yet it's still so unbelievable. It's honestly so hard to wrap my head around how cruel people can be to one another. We must never forget the tragic events of the Holocaust." -- Anonymous

37. Fight Movements of Hatred

"When remembering the Holocaust, it is, of course, important to remember those who lost their lives and who have struggled through the atrocity. It is also important to study why a movement so cynical was able to happen on such a large scale. We must take an active role in fighting movements of hatred for the Holocaust can happen to any group." -- Jacob Singer

38. Recognize the Privileges You Enjoy

"History is not merely his story or her story -- it’s our story. Whether I was born loving history or grew to love it with time, I’m not exactly sure, but my love for history is undeniable. As such, awareness of the past has always been significant to me. The words 'never forget' have been with me since long before I can remember, coming from my mother, educators, and almost all prominent adult figures in my life. While I had prided myself in my knowledge and activism in regards to the Holocaust, the words 'never forget' had become void of true meaning in my life, empty vessels that inspired distant feelings of both strength and sadness. Last spring, this changed when I traveled to Poland with 100 Jewish teenagers, four educators, and my mom to see Poland. I walked the paths that my ancestors, people just like me, had walked on to their deaths for the very same thing that served as my greatest source of pride. My Jewish star felt cold on my chest against my beating heart. My hands glided across the very beds on which my people slept, starved and abused. The words of my tour guide, a Holocaust survivor, rang in my ears and the cruelty and darkness of Majdanek and the entire Holocaust came to life before my eyes.

'Never forget' became more than a hollow phrase -- they became a commandment, a mission. International Holocaust Remembrance Day, to me, is but a day of the 365 in a year that I am obliged to recognize my status as a Jew and the countless privileges that I enjoy and those before me could not. May the memory of all eleven million who perished in the Holocaust be a blessing." -- Daniela Hanono

39. Do Not Sit Quietly On the Sidelines

"Being Jewish is part of my DNA. However, people are always shocked to find out that I am Jewish. This reaction stems from people's confusion over how I am Jewish, even though I do not look like their pre-conceived notion of what a typical Jewish girl looks like. I honestly find it ridiculous that there is even a pre-conceived idea of what a Jewish person is supposed to look like when Jews come from all around the world; they have a variety of looks and all celebrate Judaism differently. Moreover, I am constantly told that I do not act like a "JAP" -- but why is there even a stigma surrounding this in the first place? As a result, I am constantly having to defend myself to my people, based on not only what I look and act like but because of my religion and culture. No other religion has to be forced to apologize time and time again that they do not live up to these beliefs that others hold about them. No other group is consistently being attacked verbally, physically, or by law from their founding to modern day. Take a look at the United Nations and how anti-Israel they are. Instead of passing legislation to stop the horrific genocides that are occurring in Aleppo, Nigeria, Syria and Iran, they are more concerned about a country that's the size of New Jersey. Why was the media and politicians' attention centered around Israel and trying to strip it of its rights than the fact that 20 women committed suicide in Aleppo so that they wouldn't be raped? Or that two different female suicide bombers in Nigeria carried babies to avoid detection? Why is no one discussing anti-Israel professor Rashid Khalidi from Columbia University going on WBEZ radio and spouting off anti-Semitic comments that may very well discriminate against students he may teach. The hypocrisy of the situation is mind-boggling, and at worst, very upsetting to the point of becoming distraught.

I, for one, am proud of who I am. I am proud to say that my ancestors were persecuted, starved, and killed, and yet they fought like hell and made their way to Israel; they put their lives on the line, yet again, to make a state for themselves. No other group in history was so violently wiped out, and then within a matter of days, forced to take up arms and defend their now-proclaimed home, that they bought legitimately with their personal money, resulting in even more casualties. Money that Golda Meir came to the United States and helped fundraise for so as to purchase the land so that her and Ben Gurion could say that we, the Jews, did everything by the books and never dishonestly. The Holocaust, to me, is never and will never be over if we are still fighting 60 years later to not be persecuted in the United Nation; to not have the Holocaust deniers, such as the President of Iran, saying it never happened; nor to have United States administration under Obama that broke away from U.S. diplomacy and abstained on anti-Israel legislation. When I was in Budapest last week, the Hungarian government had constructed a statue for years ago, which attempted to re-write history and Hungary's involvement in World War II. The Holocaust is still alive and well if countries are erecting monuments to make themselves look better in the face of their atrocious historical actions.

I am a proud Jew that will continue to sign any legislation I can to stop this anti-Israel and anti-Semitic hate. I am a proud Jew that will try to educate anyone that believes the Holocaust did not happen. I am a proud Jew that will donate to the one place I can always go if something bad happens to me in the U.S., solely based on my religion. Lastly, I am a proud Jew that will not shy away from who I am nor will I sit quietly to the side while people try to discriminate against me based on ill-conceived ideas of who I am and how I shall act." -- Sydney Berger

40. Use Your Voice

"I have recently struggled to find my voice. I have been confused and disheartened and felt paralyzed to help the world around me. But today, on International Holocaust Remembrance Day, I am reminded why not only having a voice, but using that voice is so important. I have seen the concentration camps. I, unlike those we lost in the Holocaust, walked into the gas chambers and walked back out alive. I held the hand of a Holocaust survivor as we walked into Auschwitz, and I listened as she told us her story. I stood in the camps and looked out at the beautiful city that stood only miles away from where genocide occurred, and yet those people never spoke. I will never forget. Yet I fear that so many others will, or that they already have. It is fear that has kept me silent, and it is fear that reminds me that I can't be silent. In a time where I am surrounded by hate, I must remember that at its core that hate stems from fear. Fear of others, of that which we don't know or don't understand. I will never understand how a world could stand by while the Holocaust happened, nor can I understand how people can forget such a tragedy. That is why it is so important for me to speak, not only as a Jew, but as a woman, and as a person." -- Peri Novick

These responses have been edited for clarity.

Want to contribute to this story? E-mail Samantha Rosen at samantha.rosen@theodysseyonline.com to let your voice be heard.