"Talk with Akira Kitade and survivors' family: Visas of Life and the Epic Journey"
2025/3/25
On March 25, the Embassy of Japan in collaboration with the National Holocaust Monument Committee organized the event "Talk with Akira Kitade and survivors' family: Visas of Life and the Epic Journey". The event was attended by more than 80 people, including many descendants of Holocaust survivors.
Ambassador Kanji Yamanouchi gave opening remarks following a performance by violinist Élise Dubé and cellist Aurélie Dubé of the musical theme from "Schindler's List". Ambassador Yamanouchi noted that this year marks the 80th anniversary of the end of the war and it has been 80 years since the liberation of the Auschwitz concentration camp. He further mentioned that it was extremely meaningful to have the opportunity to hear about the achievements of Chiune Sugihara, as well as the stories of the descendants of survivors of the Sugihara visas. He expressed his gratitude to all those involved for their cooperation. He further spoke of the courageous actions of Chiune Sugihara, who issued more than 2,000 visas to Jewish refugees, and other diplomats who worked to save lives during World War II, and praised Mr. Kitade for his major role in bringing these diplomats to light.
Next, Mr. Akira Kitade, author of "Emerging Heroes: WWII-Era Diplomats, Jewish Refugees, and Escape to Japan", gave a lecture on his research to find out more about the journey of Jewish refugees who appear in a photo album.
After the lecture, a panel talk was held and moderated by Ms. Annette Wildgoose, President of the National Holocaust Monument Committee, featuring descendants of Sugihara survivors (Mr. Berel Rodal, Ms. Corinne Baumgarten, and Ms. Judith Lermer Crawley). Each shared their family’s experiences and spoke about remembering the victims of the Holocaust and the importance of humanitarian values. The panel talk concluded with a question-and-answer session.
After the panel talk, Ms. Floralove Katz, soprano singer, and Ms. Natasha Guiller, pianist, performed three songs. The event closed with remarks by the Honourable Senator Stanley Kutcher, Co-Chair of the Canada-Japan Inter-Parliamentary Group.
The event was followed by a reception with Japanese and Jewish food prepared by Mr. Joel Diener, Co-Chair of the National Holocaust Monument Committee, and his wife Ms. Barbara Diener as well as the Ambassador's chef, Mr. Shima.
Buffet and guests during the reception
Ambassador Kanji Yamanouchi gave opening remarks following a performance by violinist Élise Dubé and cellist Aurélie Dubé of the musical theme from "Schindler's List". Ambassador Yamanouchi noted that this year marks the 80th anniversary of the end of the war and it has been 80 years since the liberation of the Auschwitz concentration camp. He further mentioned that it was extremely meaningful to have the opportunity to hear about the achievements of Chiune Sugihara, as well as the stories of the descendants of survivors of the Sugihara visas. He expressed his gratitude to all those involved for their cooperation. He further spoke of the courageous actions of Chiune Sugihara, who issued more than 2,000 visas to Jewish refugees, and other diplomats who worked to save lives during World War II, and praised Mr. Kitade for his major role in bringing these diplomats to light.
Next, Mr. Akira Kitade, author of "Emerging Heroes: WWII-Era Diplomats, Jewish Refugees, and Escape to Japan", gave a lecture on his research to find out more about the journey of Jewish refugees who appear in a photo album.
After the lecture, a panel talk was held and moderated by Ms. Annette Wildgoose, President of the National Holocaust Monument Committee, featuring descendants of Sugihara survivors (Mr. Berel Rodal, Ms. Corinne Baumgarten, and Ms. Judith Lermer Crawley). Each shared their family’s experiences and spoke about remembering the victims of the Holocaust and the importance of humanitarian values. The panel talk concluded with a question-and-answer session.
After the panel talk, Ms. Floralove Katz, soprano singer, and Ms. Natasha Guiller, pianist, performed three songs. The event closed with remarks by the Honourable Senator Stanley Kutcher, Co-Chair of the Canada-Japan Inter-Parliamentary Group.
The event was followed by a reception with Japanese and Jewish food prepared by Mr. Joel Diener, Co-Chair of the National Holocaust Monument Committee, and his wife Ms. Barbara Diener as well as the Ambassador's chef, Mr. Shima.
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| Ms. Élise Dubé and Ms. Aurélie Dubé during their performance of the theme from "Schindler's List" |
Ambassador Yamanouchi giving opening remarks |
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| Mr. Akira Kitade giving a lecture on Jewish refugees who fled to Japan |
Panel talk. (from left to right) Mr. Berel Rodal, Ms. Corinne Baumgarten, Ms. Judith Lermer Crawley and Ms. Annette Wildgoose |
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| Mr. Berel Rodal giving his presentation during the panel talk | Ms. Judith Lermer Crawley giving her presentation during the panel talk | Ms. Corinne Baumgarten giving her presentation during the panel talk |
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| Performance by Ms. Floralove Katz, soprano singer and Ms. Natasha Guiller, pianist | The Honourable Senator Stanley Kutcher, Co-Chair of the Canada-Japan Inter-Parliamentary Group giving closing remarks |
Buffet and guests during the reception