By Ryan Tsuen 

After several years of hiatus due to Covid and the war, Yad Vashem recently hosted once again Christian Leaders Seminar, in cooperation as always with the International Christian Embassy Jerusalem. The week-long study program drew a diverse group of Christian leaders, pastors, educators, and advocates for an immersive educational seminar on the Holocaust and Antisemitism at Yad Vashem in Jerusalem. 

Yad Vashem is the world’s foremost institute for documenting and remembering the Shoah during World War II. 

A central theme of the Christian study program was the vibrancy of Jewish life across Europe prior to the war. Lecturers emphasized that European Jewry was highly diverse. In Germany, for example, only about one-third kept Orthodox traditions. Because many citizens across Europe had limited contact with Jews, Nazi propaganda effectively exploited stereotypes to elicit fear and prejudice against “the Jew”. 

Over the course of the seminar, the presentations addressed such topics as the historic roots of Antisemitism, the rise of Zionism, the cultural influence of Jewish art and literature, spiritual resistance under Nazi occupation, and the struggle to return to life in displacement camps. During one interactive workshop titled “A Street in Poland”, attendees examined large-scale photo collages portraying pre-war life for Polish Jews. 

The seminar also included guided engagement inside the Yad Vashem Museum and the Archives section. The underground concrete prism forces visitors through a disorienting path that mirrors the entrapment of the Holocaust victims and culminates with a breath-taking panoramic view of modern west Jerusalem.  

Participants also met with Holocaust survivor Rena Quint. Born in Poland in 1935, her father disguised her as a boy in the ghetto to protect her from immediate elimination. After surviving Bergen-Belsen and enduring the loss of her family, she was cared for by adoptive mothers in Sweden and later the United States. Today, at 91 years old, her legacy continues through 84 direct descendants—a powerful testament to resilience against the Nazi genocide campaign. 

In an era marked by rising Holocaust denial, historical distortion, and the resurgence of ancient blood libels across social media platforms, Holocaust education remains vital. The seminar taught participants how these harmful narratives increasingly penetrate various societal spaces, including Christian communities, often driven by misinformation, historical disconnection, or hesitation to engage with sensitive topics. 

“Am I equipped to stand with Israel and against antisemitism in this hour? Yes, but not as fully as I realised after attending the Yad Vashem leadership seminar”, said Suzanne Trites from Canada. “Hearing from exceptionally qualified experts in their field, the lion’s share of the lecturers directly involved … the realities of the heartless pain and injustice of the Holocaust to the rising up of individuals, families and a People after the war. Out of the ashes, as they say. This seminar has further equipped, empowered and reinforced my resolve to be a voice, advocate and educator of the truth in my nation.” 

“The most important thing I learned in this seminar was understanding how deeply God loves the Jewish people and, at the same time, recognising how much Satan hates Israel”, said Daniel from Romania. “Unfortunately, even today the world is increasingly being swept up by a spirit of antisemitism. As Christians, however, we should be the ones who stand with Israel during these difficult times.” 

“The most valuable takeaway from this seminar is the sense of responsibility I have carried with me back to Italy”, said Veronica. “We must take action—and do so immediately—within our own nations. To a greater or lesser extent, we are all part of the social and cultural fabric of our countries, and we possess the capacity to influence reality—a capacity we can cultivate for this very purpose… The Lord revealed my task to me, and I am certain He did the same for each of us individually.” 

Clearly, the Yad Vashem seminar equipped these Christian leaders to combat prejudice within their respective spheres of influence. Participants concluded the week with a shared commitment to active engagement, standing firmly against antisemitism and utilising their voices to advocate for truth and human dignity. 

Main photo: Barbed Wire Fence (Adobe stock)