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International Holocaust Remembrance Day 2025

International Holocaust Remembrance Day in 2025 will mark the 80th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau. This day serves as a reminder of the terrible events that took place during the Holocaust. This year’s theme, “For a Better Future,” encourages us to reflect and take action. We honor the memory of Holocaust victims and face ongoing challenges to human rights and dignity. As antisemitism, anti-Muslim sentiments, and other forms of hatred rise globally, this solemn day underscores the urgent need to understand trauma, including intergenerational trauma, and to learn from history to create a world rooted in empathy and resilience.


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International Holocaust Remembrance Day 2025

The United Nations created International Holocaust Remembrance Day to honor Holocaust victims and promote education about it. It marks the 80th anniversary of the liberation of the Auschwitz-Birkenau Death Camp. This camp was one of many built by the Nazis to kill Jewish people. This year it also commemorates 30 years since the genocide in Bosnia.

As I write these words, I remember the history of the Holocaust. I am the child of survivors. I have also interviewed families of survivors. Still, I feel a deep shock that the Holocaust really happened. It is hard to believe that the Nazi reign of terror took 6 million Jewish lives. Many more lives were lost across Europe. This includes Poles, Serbs, Roma, Black people, Jehovah’s Witnesses, disabled people, and LGBTQ+ people. And these numbers do not take into account the number of Axis soldiers who were killed defending freedom.

I can picture the death camps in Poland. I think of the newsreels, the documentaries, and the eyewitness accounts. It is a terrible reality of how cruel people can be to each other. It certainly was the most extensive genocide in modern history.

For a Better Future

The theme for International Holocaust Remembrance Day 2025 is, “For a Better Future”. This theme highlights the importance of Holocaust remembrance in the present day, “when human rights and dignity are under threat.

Schools often invite Holocaust survivors to special events to teach students about the Holocaust. During these events, students learn about human suffering from the survivors. Afterward, they break into small groups to discuss this tragedy with the survivors. This process has been recognized to elicit empathy in students which then generalizes to empathy for others. This is important across all ethnic groups and was found to be profoundly impactful in school districts serving minority groups. With survivors passing away who will give voice to their suffering? How will we experience the empathy that fosters the commitment to care for everyone in society?

Remembering the Holocaust During a Time of Increased Antisemitism & Anti-Muslim Sentiments

What does it mean “for a better future” combined with the statement that human rights and dignity are under threat?

It is important to note that antisemitic incidents have increased 360% and anti-Muslim incidents have increased 70% in the United States since the horrific terrorist attacks of October 7, 2023. These statistics indicate threats to the wellbeing of groups within American society. This is occurring while there are many crises facing American society today. These are not disconnected realities. Among the crises are:

  • social justice crisis
  • leadership crisis
  • democracy crisis
  • crisis of truth

It is common to see news about organizations in the United States canceling their DEI policies. What does this mean? Other organizations have communicated that their DEI policies are not for all groups. What does this mean?


Reflections on Psychotherapy on International Holocaust Remembrance Day 2025

I can comfort myself and say that I am working for a better world by being a psychotherapist. But that takes the easy way out. I need to go beyond my “work” and ask myself how am I contributing to a better world in my day to day engagement with the world. In today’s society, hatred is becoming more visible. We must pay attention to this issue in our daily lives and take action.

I have never thought about this before, but now I wonder if hatred is always hiding. It seems to wait for the right moment to show itself. Is hatred learned, or the result of group affinity, or is it released by forces in society. Maybe now is the time to commit to learning, watching, or listening to stories about the horrors of the Holocaust. Once we notice human suffering, we should take a moment to think about it. Let’s be open and honest about our thoughts, feelings, and beliefs regarding other people. Do we see all people as equal? Do we see all people as worthy of freedom, self-fulfillment and happiness? Do we accept, respect and validate our differences? The question is not, are we color-blind, but rather are we color aware and color sensitive? Do we stretch to understand the perspectives of others even if we don’t agree?

If we do not learn from the Holocaust, we miss important lessons. These lessons help us fight against hatred and inequality. They remind us that power is not everything. If we don’t make this a conscious effort, what will happen when we see unfairness around us? This can happen in our workplaces, communities, states, and country

Transcending Trauma Project – Intergenerational Trauma, the Holocaust, and Mental Health Today

Council for Relationships has a long history of offering excellent training in Systemic Therapy. We also provide high-quality therapy services for our clients. To offer great therapy, we keep learning and use new advancements in mental health. This commitment has included the integration of trauma treatment into our clinical practice and training.

Since 1991, Council for Relationships has supported the work of the Transcending Trauma Project (TTP). In a time when trauma studies mainly looked at the negative effects of trauma, TTP was created. It aimed to study how trauma affected Holocaust survivors, their children, and grandchildren. This approach considered a wide range of trauma’s effects. It did not just focus on negative reactions but also included how people cope and adapt. The goal was to understand how trauma affects not only survivors but also their children and grandchildren. This shows that trauma can be passed down through generations. This project has added important insights to trauma studies. It helps us understand how traumatized groups cope, heal, and recover.

TTP conducted 305 in-depth life histories with 98 Holocaust survivors, their children and grandchildren. This project is unique because it focuses on in-depth life stories. Interviewees were asked to share their life experiences, not just their trauma. It is unique because it looks at three generations in each family. This helps us understand how families cope and adapt for both the survivor and their children. The interview process explored the thoughts, feelings, and experiences that helped families rebuild. It also looked at how the children and grandchildren were affected.

This study shows how different families cope with challenges. It looks at both positive and negative effects. The findings highlight how coping styles and strategies change from one generation to the next. This investigation revealed many important findings. Most notably, the quality of the parent-child relationship affects how the next generation copes and adapts. We also saw how hearing stories of trauma affects children across generations. These stories can have a “transformative” impact on them. The field of trauma studies has expanded into understanding the ethnic, racial and cultural differences among traumatized groups. Research across different cultures shows that how a family works together affects how trauma and resilience are passed down.

International Holocaust Remembrance Day 2025 reminds us to reflect on trauma. The study of trauma offers valuable insights for therapists. These insights have supported therapists in their work with clients during COVID and other difficult times. To create a “Better Future,” the mental health field can help people deal with stress from local issues and world events. This can be done by using a systemic approach to therapy. It is important to understand how families help individuals learn to cope and be resilient.


Bea Hollander-Goldfein, author of the blog, "Understanding the Mental Health Healing Process" and "Building Resilience After Trauma"

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About the Author

Bea Hollander-Goldfein, PhD, LMFT, CCTP, APIT, is a dedicated therapist at Council for Relationships. She also directs the Transcending Trauma Project. With her extensive experience, Dr. Hollander-Goldfein is committed to compassionately and insightfully guiding individuals and families through life’s challenges. She truly cares about empowering her clients to achieve emotional wellness and flourish in their lives. Discover more about Dr. Hollander-Goldfein here!

Are you ready to prioritize your mental health? Request an appointment with Dr. Bea Hollander-Goldfein today to start your journey toward growth and healing.

At Council for Relationships, we have over 80 expert therapists and psychiatrists ready to help you thrive this year. Get matched with a therapist today and take the first step toward a healthier, happier you.


Discover More Resources: From Understanding Intergenerational Trauma to Practical Tips to Support Someone Who Has Experienced Trauma

Looking to deepen your understanding of trauma and how it impacts individuals and families? Discover the Transcending Trauma Project. This initiative by the Council for Relationships looks at intergenerational trauma. It focuses on resilience and coping strategies for Holocaust survivors and their descendants.

Our blogs provide practical insights and expert advice on topics like:

  • Understanding and addressing intergenerational trauma.
  • Building resilience within families and communities.
  • Supporting those affected by trauma through systemic approaches to healing.

Stay informed and inspired—visit our website to access resources that guide you toward healing and growth. Sign up for our mailing list to receive updates, tools, and expert insights directly in your inbox. Together, let’s work toward a better future.

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