10 January 3 • 2019 jn views guest column Schindler’s List’ More Relevant Than Ever I n 1993, Schindler’ s List was released in theaters and, for the first time, the horror and scale of the Holocaust, or Shoah in Hebrew, was brought to life in a major motion picture. Steven Spielberg’ s opus explored German industrialist Oskar Schindler’ s crisis of conscience that inspired him to take action and save the lives of Jews by employing them and protecting them as vital, specialized workers. His actions spared 1,200 people from certain death. The magnitude of the vision presented in Schindler’ s List and its global impact marked a turning point to those of us in the field of Holocaust education and remembrance. Schindler’ s List opened the floodgates for survivors and other witness to come forward to share their stories with the world, for the world was now ready to listen. The film also had an impact on the filmmaker himself before, during and after the production. Spielberg was moved by his experiences directing the film to take action and launch what is today known as USC Shoah Foundation. In establishing this organization, Spielberg made two promises to survivors of the Shoah — one, that he would preserve their stories in perpetuity, and two, that their stories would be shared for educational purposes around the globe. Now the world is at a critical crossroads similar to what the generation in the film faced: Globally, authoritarian governments are in ascendance with fascist parties gaining traction in many European nations. Further, a stark rise in violence targeting Jewish communities has reflected rising anti-Semitism as not seen since the Second World War. Domestically, there has been a 57 percent spike in anti-Semitic incidents as reported by the ADL — the largest year-over-year jump, ever. Today’ s headlines are flooded with news reports of swastika graffiti, public Nazi salutes and many other incidents, including violent attacks and mass murders. This rise of anti-Semitism coupled with a waning consciousness of the Holocaust and other genocides among millennials and younger Americans has created a new urgency. As Schindler’ s List approaches the quarter-century mark, USC Shoah Foundation is redoubling its efforts to ensure that as many young people as possible see this important film and are challenged to think critically about the consequences of their actions upon other human beings, and also the consequences of inaction. In the 25 years that have transpired since the film’ s original release, USC Shoah Foundation’ s work to fulfill the two promises made to the witnesses has grown in size and scope: USC Shoah Foundation currently houses more than 115,000 hours of testimony from more than 55,000 eyewitnesses, and has expanded its efforts beyond collecting and sharing the stories of the survivors of the Holocaust to include testimony from more than 100 years of history, from the genocide in Armenia to most recently the genocide of Rohingya in Myanmar. On Dec. 7, Schindler’ s List was re-released in theaters, giving a new generation the opportunity to have those important conversations. Schindler’ s List delivers a universal message: The actions of one person can make a difference in the lives of others. Even in the face of the worst of humanity, we all have within us the power to take action — and to be stronger than hate. Our hope is that this is a message the next generation is ready to hear, because our survival depends on our evolution into a more cohesive and inclusive world. Stephen D. Smith is executive director of the USC Shoah Foundation and UNESCO chair in Genocide Education. This op-ed first ran in the Detroit News. Reprinted with permission. Stephen D. Smith Get the Jewish News delivered to your door every week! Subscribe to our digital bundles to receive daily premium content! Email subscriptions@renmedia.us Or visit thejewishnews.com/subscribe It Doesn’ t Have to Cost A Fortune . . . Only Look Like It! Complete kitchen and bathroom remodeling along with furniture design and installation including quartz, granite, wood and many other materials. 248.851.6989 Lois Haron, Allied Member ASID 248.851.6989 Lois Haron, Allied Member ASID Designs IN DECORATOR WOOD & LAMINATES, LTD.