Facing the Aftermath:

Recovery and Reconstitution after the Holocaust

From 25-31 January 2021

Beth Yaacov Great Synagogue, Place de la Synagogue 11, Geneva

"Keeping the Memory Alive - Dimensions in Testimony"

This innovative video project keeps the memory of Holocaust survivors alive by featuring their interactive biographies on the exterior walls of the Beth Yaacov Great Synagogue of Geneva. Organized jointly by the European Union Delegation and the Permanent Mission of Israel in Geneva, together with the United Nations in Geneva, the Communauté Israélite de Genève, and the World Jewish Congress, in cooperation with the USC Shoah Foundation.

Ciné ONU Vienna, Brussels and Geneva,

with the support of the Permanent Missions of Israel

and Albania to the United Nations (Vienna)

Invite you to the online screening of the movie

“The Albanian Code”

(by Yael Katzir, 2020, 55 min)

Film synopsis:

‘The Albanian Code’ features unique archive footage that brings to the screen the little-known story of how thousands of Jewish refugees in Albania were rescued in World War Two. Ennie Altaraz, who was saved there having escaped from Yugoslavia, decides to return to say thank you. This voyage is full of surprises, discovering how a nation bound by its moral code saved refugees and recognizing Albania’s unique wartime role in rescuing the persecuted.

opening remarks by:

Mordechai Denis Paul Rodgold, Ambassador of the State of Israel to Austria and Permanent Representative to the UN, OSCE and International Organizations in Vienna

Igli Hasani, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of the Republic of Albania to the International Organizations in Vienna

Followed by a panel discussion with

Yael Katzir – Film director, ‘The Albanian Code’

Ennie Altaraz – The film's protagonist

Michal Kaplan – Daughter of Ennie Altaraz and protagonist of the film

Shaban Sinani – Book author ‘Albanians and Jews’

Moderator: Martin Nesirky – Director, United Nations Information Service (UNIS) Vienna

How to participate:

The event will be held on WebEx and feature the film screening, followed by the panel discussion.

Step 1: Register for the event by 24 January here. You will receive a confirmation email with the link to the event on 26 January.

Step 2: Join the event on WebEx on 26 January with the link provided upon registration.

After a short introduction, the link to the film will be shared in the WebEx chat. After watching the film, join us for the discussion using the same WebEx link.

If you need further information, please write to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

The official ceremony oft he United Nations in Geneva

will pay tribute to those who perished in Nazi death camps.

Holocaust survivor Fanny Ben-Amy will tell of her family experience of loss and survival.

The ceremony will feature remarks by:

Tatiana Valovaya, UN Geneva Director-General

Meirav Eilon Shahar, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Israel to the United Nations in Geneva

Michael Freiherr von Ungern-Sternberg, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Germany to the United Nations in Geneva. Germany chairs the International Holocaust-Remembrance Alliance in 2020/2021.

It will also include several musical interludes by the renowned Israeli pianist Amit Weiner.

English and French interpretation will be provided.

*No registration needed. Because of the health measures related to the current pandemic, we invite you to follow the ceremony online.