Education

Holocaust Remembrance Day: Remembering those lost and those who survived

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Today, we remember the 11 million lives taken during the Holocaust — a catastrophe that thoroughly transformed our world. As we take time to honor lives lost, we look towards people like Viktor Frankl, who gave this talk “Why to believe in others.”

A Holocaust survivor and renowned author, in this rare clip, Frankl discusses the importance of searching for the meaningful, not the material. His firsthand experience with suffering has not disheartened him; instead, he discusses the importance of optimism and positivity. Viktor Frankl delivered this talk in 1972, but his message is just as applicable now –- and today of all days — as it was some 40 years ago.

Below, some more talks to watch to help us remember the Holocaust, and learn to move forward and prevent acts of genocide in the future.

Bernie Dunlap: The life-long learner Bernie Dunlap: The life-long learner
Ben Dunlap: The life-long learner
When Ben Dunlap tells the story of his life, it is as though it was all preparation for his encounter with Hungarian Holocaust survivor Sandor Teszler. In this touching talk from TED2007, he shares the invaluable lessons learned from their sweet friendship.
Sarah Kaminsky: My father the forger Sarah Kaminsky: My father the forger
Sarah Kaminsky: My father the forger
At TEDxParis 2011, Sarah Kaminsky shares the story of her father’s life — a story she herself did not hear until she was an adult, when she learned of his role in World War II as a master forger, as he sacrificed his time and risked his life to save countless others.
Moshe Safdie: Building uniqueness Moshe Safdie: Building uniqueness
Moshe Safdie on building uniqueness
Architect Moshe Safdie designed Yad Vashem, Jerusalem’s Holocaust Remembrance Museum. In this talk from TED2002, he explains the motivations behind its design — the emotions he wished to evoke, and how he honored victims through its building.
Samantha Power: A complicated hero in the war on dictatorship Samantha Power: A complicated hero in the war on dictatorship
Samantha Power on a complicated hero
In this talk from TED2008, Samantha Power opens a discourse for understanding how genocides like the Holocaust are able to continue for years, despite public knowledge. Power emphasizes the need for a truly global movement in order to prevent crimes of such great magnitude.