March 2025

Henryk Ross
Photo Collection, Yad Vashem, 7317/891

Henryk Ross (1910–1991) was a Jewish photographer employed by the Department of Statistics for the Judenrat (Jewish Council) in the Łódź Ghetto. His position allowed him to successfully photograph and document Jewish life in the ghetto, resulting in thousands of prints and negatives.

After surviving the Holocaust, Ross eventually returned to Łódź. This month, 80 years ago, in March 1945, Ross unearthed the photographs that he had buried underground prior to the liquidation of the ghetto.

"Just before the closure of the ghetto (1944) I buried my negatives in the ground in order that there should be some record of our tragedy, namely the total elimination of the Jews from Lodz by the Nazi executioners. I was anticipating the total destruction of Polish Jewry. I wanted to leave a historical record of our martyrdom."
 

Ross’s buried photograph
Photo Collection, Yad Vashem,2631/7

Ross’s buried photographs were not merely records of life in the Łódź Ghetto—they were acts of defiance, silent witnesses to the horrors of the past. His determination to document echoes the broader struggle of countless victims and survivors who sought to preserve the memory of their loved ones and communities amidst unimaginable loss. These efforts became the foundation of the world’s understanding of the Holocaust.

To remember and to be remembered is woven into photographs, objects, letters, and diaries, as well as in the haunting poetry of Yitzhak Katznelson.

"Oh, who will bewail us? Who will erect a memorial for us? Who will recount to the world the full story of our great people… murdered! And now, not a child, nor even a baby in the womb, remains […]. Who will weep for them? Who will shed a tear for them?"

Vittel Diary [22.5.43 - 16.9.43] - Yitzhak Katznelson p. 161

 

Katznelson’s words amidst the horrors of the Shoah, resonate deeply as the State of Israel assumes the presidency of the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA), 80 years after the Holocaust. His words are a timeless reminder of our mission: to ensure that the memory of those who perished continues to guide humanity.

We are now at a crossroads of generations, the responsibility of preserving the memory and sharing the stories of the Holocaust rests on our shoulders with increasing urgency. The voices of victims and survivors, like those of Yitzhak Katznelson and Henryk Ross, demand of us to honor their legacy by standing firm against denial, distortion, and hatred. In a world witnessing a dramatic rise in antisemitism and grappling with the challenges and opportunities of emerging technologies, our obligation to historical truth has never been more critical.

As we embark on this journey together in 2025, let us commit to a year of meaningful remembrance and impactful action. Together, let us deepen education, nurture evidence-based research, strengthen alliances, and harness the potential of new technologies, using them as tools to preserve memory and promote truth.

May the Israeli Presidency of IHRA be one of unity and hope as we uphold the legacy of the victims and survivors of the Shoah, ensuring their voices remain an eternal testament to the resilience of the human spirit.