A Brief History of our Society:

The Victoria Holocaust Remembrance and Education Society was started eight years ago, almost single-handedly, by Holocaust survivor Peter Gary. For a long time Peter had been going from classroom to classroom up and down Vancouver Island,BC to talk to teenagers about his experiences. Because he was, and is, so honest and engaging and unhostile, the impressions he made were very powerful. Wherever he went, students and teachers would want to learn more. They would want to know what organization supported him, and how could they get more information from that organization.

Of course, Peter was doing this on his own, and without receiving any fees or honorariums. Finally, with the help of Dr. Bill Nichols, a Christian who has written widely on anti-Semitism, and Madelyn Berger, Peter started a small organization. Immediately, they decided to reach out to more students, and within a year they had organized the Victoria Holocaust Symposium.

This all-day symposium is open to all high school students on Vancouver Island. Since its inception it has been attended by about 1000 students and teachers each year. The Victoria Holocaust Remembrance and Education Society is now run by a committee of people, with wide support from the community.

The Society has received active and consistent support from the Catholic, Anglican, and United Churches, especially surrounding the commemoration of Kristallnacht. People are coming to realize that the Holocaust was not just a terrible event in Jewish history. It was the result of the collapse of Christian values, and as such, is a disaster that Christians as well as Jews must come to painful grips with.

However, we pride ourselves that our Society is really one of hope and rebuilding. All of us are committed to pursuing peace and a better world through education and the promotion of multi-cultural ideals.

We invite you to visit The Hopesite -
Learn about the Holocaust, reflect on what it means for today, and rekindle hope for a better future.

Teaching resources about the Holocaust

[ The HopeSite HomePage ]
[Remember | Reflect | Rekindle]

Text written by S. Berer.
Web site by KnowledgeQuest Associate
for the Victoria Holocaust Remembrance and Education Society