Days of Remembrance of Victims of the Holocaust, 2025
4/23/2025
Action Summary
- Commemoration Purpose: Observance of the Days of Remembrance of Victims of the Holocaust, honoring the memory of the six million Jewish victims along with Roma, Sinti, persons with disabilities, Soviet prisoners of war, Jehovah’s Witnesses, individuals targeted for their sexual orientation, and other innocent victims.
- Historical Context: Remembrance of the 80th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz and a commitment to memorializing the lives lost and the enduring legacy of Holocaust survivors.
- Anti-Semitism Concerns: Acknowledgment of the recent surge in anti-Semitism following the October 7, 2023 attack on Israel, with particular emphasis on the rising threats against Jewish Americans in public spaces.
- Executive Action: Implementation of an Executive Order directing the Federal Government to employ all available legal tools to combat anti-Semitic harassment in schools and on college campuses, including measures against resident aliens and addressing discrimination in certain academic institutions.
- Call to Observance: Request for the American people to observe the period from April 20 through April 27, 2025, with study, prayers, and commemoration, reinforcing the commitment to “never forget” and ensuring that such atrocities are never repeated.
Risks & Considerations
- The proclamation emphasizes the importance of combating anti-Semitism, particularly in educational settings. This could lead to increased scrutiny and potential legal actions against universities perceived as not adequately addressing anti-Semitic incidents.
- Vanderbilt University may need to review and potentially strengthen its policies and procedures related to anti-Semitism and discrimination to ensure compliance with federal directives and to avoid potential legal challenges.
- The focus on removing resident aliens who violate laws related to anti-Semitism could impact international students and staff, necessitating careful monitoring and support to ensure compliance with immigration and anti-discrimination laws.
- There is a risk of reputational damage if the university is perceived as not taking sufficient action against anti-Semitism, which could affect student recruitment and retention, particularly among Jewish communities.
Impacted Programs
- Vanderbilt’s Office of Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion may need to enhance its efforts in promoting awareness and education about anti-Semitism and ensuring a safe and inclusive environment for all students.
- The International Student and Scholar Services might need to provide additional guidance and support to international students and staff regarding compliance with new federal policies related to anti-Semitism.
- Vanderbilt’s Legal and Compliance Office could see an increased workload in reviewing and updating policies to align with federal directives and in handling any related legal matters.
- The Jewish Studies Program may experience increased interest and demand for courses and events related to Holocaust education and the history of anti-Semitism.
Financial Impact
- Potential legal costs could arise from defending against claims of insufficient action against anti-Semitism or from compliance with new federal directives.
- There may be opportunities for federal funding or grants aimed at promoting diversity and combating discrimination, which Vanderbilt could leverage to support related initiatives and programs.
- Failure to adequately address anti-Semitism could result in decreased donations or support from alumni and community members who prioritize diversity and inclusion.
- Investments in training, policy development, and community engagement may be necessary to ensure compliance and to foster a supportive campus environment.
Relevance Score: 4 (The proclamation presents a need for potential major changes or transformations of policies and programs to address anti-Semitism effectively.)
Key Actions
- Vanderbilt University’s Office of Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion should enhance its efforts to combat anti-Semitism on campus by developing comprehensive programs and workshops that educate students and staff about the history and impact of the Holocaust and the importance of combating discrimination in all forms.
- The Department of Jewish Studies could expand its curriculum to include more courses on Holocaust studies and contemporary anti-Semitism, providing students with a deeper understanding of these issues and preparing them to engage in informed discussions and advocacy.
- Vanderbilt’s Office of Federal Relations should monitor federal policies and executive orders related to anti-Semitism and discrimination in higher education to ensure compliance and to identify opportunities for advocacy and collaboration with federal agencies.
- The Vanderbilt Project on Unity & American Democracy can host public forums and discussions on the rise of anti-Semitism and the role of universities in promoting tolerance and understanding, positioning Vanderbilt as a leader in addressing these critical societal issues.
Opportunities
- The executive order provides an opportunity for Vanderbilt University to strengthen partnerships with Jewish organizations and communities, fostering a more inclusive and supportive environment for Jewish students and faculty.
- By actively participating in national conversations on anti-Semitism and discrimination, Vanderbilt can enhance its reputation as a thought leader in promoting diversity and inclusion in higher education.
- The emphasis on combating anti-Semitism aligns with Vanderbilt’s commitment to social justice and equality, offering opportunities to secure funding and support for initiatives that address these issues on campus and beyond.
Relevance Score: 4 (The order necessitates major process changes to address anti-Semitism and discrimination, impacting Vanderbilt’s policies and programs.)
Timeline for Implementation
- Observation Period: The directive calls for observance of the Days of Remembrance of Victims of the Holocaust from April 20 through April 27, 2025.
- Proclamation Date: April 23, 2025 – the date on which the proclamation was issued.
The shortest timeline is the observance period itself, which spans less than 30 days in duration.
Relevance Score: 5
Impacted Government Organizations
- Department of Education: Tasked with overseeing K-12 schools and college campuses where the Executive Order mandates combatting anti-Semitic harassment.
- Department of Justice (DOJ): Charged with investigating and prosecuting cases of anti-Semitic discrimination as indicated by the directive to use all available legal tools.
- Department of Homeland Security (DHS): Likely involved in the enforcement measures related to the removal of resident aliens who violate laws, as referenced in the Order.
Relevance Score: 2 (A small number of Federal Agencies are directly impacted by the directive.)
Responsible Officials
- Attorney General – Oversees the legal enforcement of anti-discrimination measures, including investigations into anti-Semitic harassment as directed by the Executive Order.
- Secretary of Education – Responsible for ensuring that schools and colleges implement policies to counteract anti-Semitic harassment and discrimination.
- Secretary of Homeland Security – Charged with executing actions related to immigration enforcement measures, including the removal of resident aliens who violate applicable laws.
Relevance Score: 4 (Directives target the heads of key federal agencies, requiring high-level implementation efforts.)