Wrapping Up A Successful Conference: If Not Now, When?

Responsibility and Memory After the Holocaust OTTAWA Over 200 delegates including Canadian parliamentarians, senior Holocaust scholars, survivors and other public figures contributed to the great success of If Not Now, When? Responsibility and Memory After the Holocaust, a sold-out conference hosted by Carleton Universitys Zelikovitz Centre for Jewish Studies April 24 and 25, 2013. Notable speakers and guests included the Honourable Jason Kenney, Minister of Citizenship, Immigration, and Multiculturalism, Dr. Andrew Bennett, Canadas first Ambassador of Religious Freedom, the Honourable Irwin Cotler, MP Mount Royal, and Professor Irving Abella who, among others, gave their valuable time to participate in the first public conference since Canada assumed chairmanship of the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA). It is the unique testimony of survivors David Shentow, Dr. Truda Rosenberg, Elly Bollegraaf, and Vera Gara that will reside in everyones memories long after the conference is forgotten. This event also brought together major Jewish organizations from across the country: Friends of Simon Wiesenthal Center for Holocaust Studies and president / CEO Avi Benlolo, Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs (CIJA) and CEO Shimon Fogel, Bnai Brith Canada and CEO Frank Dimant. At the presidents dinner with Carleton Universitys Roseann OReilly Runte, 125 distinguished individuals from across Canada joined the Zelikovitz Centre in honouring the Azrieli family and Foundation. As Mark Adler (MP York Centre) stressed, never again should not be just a slogan, but instead a call to action. The conference, through the dialogue it inspired, has brought to light significant ideas, messages and calls to action, paving the way for those calls to be answered. For example, the Azrieli Foundation called for a new social media approach to Holocaust education and the Honourable Irwin Cotlers called for renewed action. The Max and Tessie Zelikovitz Centre at Carleton University is Canada's "capital" research institute for Jewish Studies. With access to Ottawa at its front steps, the Centre connects with Parliamentarians, public servants, diplomats, NGOs, international organizations and the national media, as well as other academics and the broader community, on the basis of the innovative and cutting-edge research conducted by more than two dozen Zelikovitz researchers.

-30Contact: Dr. Deidre Butler Conference Chair and Associate Professor, Religion - Jewish Studies Associate Director Max and Tessie Zelikovitz Centre for Jewish Studies 613-520-2600 ex. 8106 Holocaustconference@carleton.ca Ilana Belfer Conference Press Manager 613-983-2570
ilana_belfer@carleton.ca