Remember This: A Lesson in Witness and Action

By: Gustavo Rymberg

On January 27, as part of our 80th anniversary commemoration of the liberation of Auschwitz, the Hamilton Jewish Federation and Margaret's Legacy presented the film Remember This: The Lessons of Jan Karski. It was an evening that left me deeply shaken, not just as a Jewish leader but as a human being who carries the weight of history and the responsibility of the present.

Jan Karski, a man of unimaginable courage, bore witness to the atrocities of the Holocaust and desperately tried to sound the alarm. He risked his life to bring evidence of Nazi crimes to the West, only to be met with disbelief and inaction. And yet, despite this, he continued to speak. He never stopped carrying the burden of truth, even when the world seemed indifferent. His story is one of resilience, of bearing witness even in the face of silence.

Throughout the film, Karski asks: What can we do? What should we do differently? These questions have echoed in my mind and my heart since that night. They are questions I have asked myself countless times before, and yet I still do not have the answers. Am I doing enough? What else should I be doing? As a leader, as a Jew, as a person who has dedicated their life to preserving memory and fighting antisemitism, I still struggle with these doubts.

We live in a time when history feels dangerously close to repeating itself. Antisemitism is on the rise, hate speech is normalized, and too many are indifferent or afraid to speak out. Are we ready for what can happen next? Do we even realize what could be next? We are not in 1939, but we are also not in the safe and secure world we once believed in. Are we doing enough? Not just as a Jewish community, but as a society, as individuals?

And what about the next generations? Are they ready for the future? Are they prepared to fight against hatred, to speak out, to be proud Jews in a world that sometimes makes it difficult? Have we given them the tools, the strength, and the conviction to stand tall? Or will they falter under the weight of indifference, of fear, of complacency?

We must tell our children about how this evil was allowed to happen, because so many people succumbed to their darkest instincts, because so many others stood silent. But let us also tell our children about the Righteous Among the Nations, those who defied the darkness and risked everything to save lives. Let us remind them that bravery and righteousness existed even in humanity's darkest hour, and that they, too, can choose to be the light in the face of hatred.

Karski’s legacy challenges us not just to remember, but to act. To bear witness. To shake the conscience of the world. And while I may never feel that I have done enough, I know that silence is not an option. That is why we continue our work at the Hamilton Jewish Federation and Margaret’s Legacy—to educate, to advocate, to ensure that history does not fade into the abyss of indifference.

The weight of these questions is heavy, but they must remain on our shoulders. Because if we ever stop asking them, if we ever stop questioning whether we are doing enough—then we have truly failed.

Jan Karski did not stop speaking. Neither can we.

Karski said, "Great crimes start with little things.... You don’t like your neighbors. You don’t like them because they are different. Avoid this. Avoid disliking people. Don't make distinctions."

But how do we know what to do; how do we know what we are capable of? How do we know what to believe? How do we know what to believe in?

So again, I ask: What can we do? What can you do? What can I do? Is there something we can do that we are not already doing?

 

Gustavo Rymberg is the CEO of the Hamilton Jewish Federation, bringing decades of experience in Jewish communal leadership. Originally from Buenos Aires, Argentina, he immigrated to Canada in 1997 and built a career in marketing and community development. Since joining the Federation in 2017, he has revitalized fundraising efforts, launched innovative programs, and strengthened community engagement. Under his leadership, the Federation has grown significantly, navigating challenges with resilience and vision. Rymberg is also actively involved in Holocaust education through Margaret's Legacy, reinforcing his dedication to Jewish advocacy and community building.