The Samurai Center for Human Rights & Holocaust Studies

The Holocaust, also known as Shoah is one of the worst tragedies in recent history -- where 2 out of every 3 European Jews were killed. Along with Jews, others were also targeted such as people with disabilities, gypsies, blacks and Russians.  

 

In historical hindsight, non-Jewish peoples should have done more to support the Jews being persecuted. Today, as anti-semitism and Jew hatred are escalating around the world, and as Jews are the most persecuted people across the globe, the Sempo Center is standing in solidarity with the Jewish community to fight against bigotry and hatred as well as discrimination of all kinds. 

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According to newly released data by Statistics Canada, hate crimes targeting the Jewish community increased by a shocking 63 per cent in 2017, rising from 221 antisemitic incidents in 2016 to 360 incidents in 2017. Antisemitic hate crimes accounted for 18 per cent of all hate crimes in Canada, making the Jewish community the most targeted by hate crimes.   Similarly, the FBI has released figures that 60% of hate crimes in the US are directed at the Jewish community -- more than all other communities combined. 

 

We are named after Sempo Sugihara Chiune -- the Samurai who rescued 6000 Jewish families that resulted in saving between 40,000 and 100,000 Jewish lives. He set an example for all non-Jews to follow in combating Jew hatred and bigotry.

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Our message to the Jewish community is that you are not alone. We are with you.