Summer 2025 Images of 80th Anniversary of Liberation of Auschwitz on January 27, 2025–Part 2
Summer 2025—Part 2 (Poland and the 80th Anniversary of the Liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau Cremony in January, 2025)
As the time of the Commemoration of the 80th Anniversary of the Liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau got closer, our activities took us closer to the site of the camp.
We were shown a little known cache of items once belonging to Jews who were slave laborers at Auschwitz-Birkenau which local Poles have found. Here is a scene of one of the rooms we saw, filled with masses of artifacts that more reasonably belong in climate controlled settings, not thrown in piles like this.
This building houses a kind of unofficial market of Holocaust items (once belonging to Jews) that Poles are willing to sell.
Van Jones is an acclaimed political analyst, civil rights advocate, lawyer (who trained at Yale Law School) , New York Times best-selling author and a well-known television/talk show personality. We were both in Poland for events surrounding the 80th Anniversary Commemoration of Auschwitz and actually kept running into each other. Here Van is speaking about the need, rather than making jokes about Anti-Semitism, that everyone should go to Auschwitz themselves, so they can understand that this is no laughing matter. He reiterated several times the idea he feels is most important:
“Ideas matter, and words have consequences.”
In addition to all his other attributes, Van Jones is a fierce advocate of freeing the hostages, and he speaks out often against Anti-Semitism. Here we are in the nearby town of Oswiecim (Auschwitz) at the Jewish Center. How lucky I felt to spend time wth Van Jones, not once but multiple times at these events in Poland.
On the evening of January 26, which was the night before the 80th commemoration, we were invited to the Auschwitz Gala, in which guests from all corners of the world attended—diplomats, government officials, scholars, religious leaders, and of course, Holocaust survivors and their families. Although we were a bit skeptical about the words ’gala’ and ‘Auschwitz’ put together, the event actually turned out to be quite moving. One survivor family was featured —with the children and grandchildren speaking words of love and admiration for the survivor, who was the head of the family.
Although I was seated with the members of our delegation, happily, I knew other people and had lovely reunions with many.
At the Gala, held the night before the 80th Anniversary of Liberation of Auschwitz, I am here with the Head of the Belgrade Jewish Community, Aron Fuks —who also happens to be my beloved cousin
At the end of the Gala (which took place on January 26, the day before the commemoration), our delegation posed with others in attendance. I am again in the front center, holding onto Michael Berenbaum arm (don’t ask me why).
At the 80th Anniversary of the Liberation of Auschwitz—as the program about to start, I am speaking with Daniel Libeskind, reknowned architect who designed (among many other) Berlin Jewish Museum & the 9-11 Memorial.
This is the Director of the State Museum of Auschwitz Birkenau, Piotr Cywinski. He is a noble man who—when, several years ago, the right wing Polish government forbade mention of Pole’s complicity in killing Jews, threatening to imprison educators who taught the truth of what had happened, Piotr offered to serve their prison time.
His remarks at the 80th Anniversary of the Liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau were perfect: hard-hitting, poetic and mercifully brief.
The 80th Anniversary of the Liberation of Auschwitz was held, in front of Birkenau’s iconic entrance gate, in the largest tent in Europe.
During the war, just inside this entrance is where the Jews arrived and were processed—some would be sent directly to the gas; others would be sent to work as slave laborers. Men were separated from women and children here. It was quite astounding, and also quite impressive, that the 80th Anniversary event was held right at the site of this horrifying symbol.
Marian Turski, on right, is a well-known Jewish Holocaust Survivor, who spoke powerfully and with abundant energy and eloquence at the 75th anniversary of Auschwitz’ liberation. He declared that there must be an 11th Commandment (see below) In this photo, he is seen with Piotr Malarek, a Polish history scholar and respected guide, who treats every survivor with reverence.
Unlike Turski’s exuberant speech only five years earlier, at this 80th commemoration, in stark contrast, he spoke very softly and looked quite frail. As we later learned, although weak and very ill, Turski willed himself to live long enough to deliver his remarks at Auschwitz on June 27th, 2025. He died only days later. May his memory be a blessing. I believe it always will.
Ambassador Ronald Lauder (closeup) speaking at the 80th Commemoration Ceremony . Ronald Lauder, born on my father’s birthday, twenty two years later (February 26, 1944), together with his brother, Leonard, are the sole heirs of the global cosmetic company, founded by their parents (Estee and Joseph Lauder) in 1946. He is a businessman, and has held civic and political positions, including (currently) as President of World Jewish Congress, and former Ambassador to Austria (named by President Ronald Reagan).
With his vast fortune (valued at $4.7 billion in 2025), Ronald has made significant contributions to Jewish life and culture—especially in Eastern Europe, and especially in Poland and Austria. As Ambassador, Ronald Lauder appreciated what it meant to be a Jew—especially in hostile environments. He established Jewish camps so that young people could meet each other (in fact, Yugoslavian cousins of mine, met each other rat one of his camps, and have now been married for decades); funded Jewish institutions and for years, has promoted bi-national cooperation between Israelis and Palestinians.
Another accomplishment, one that I particularly appreciate: Lauder created the (prestigious and highly admired) Neue Galerie in NYC. It boasts the best collection of Egon Schiele in the world, and the centerpiece of the museum on Fifth Avenue is the famous Klimt painting of Adele Bloch Bauer. Anyone who saw Helen Mirren portray her niece, Maria Altman, in the film “Woman of Gold”, recalls how she struggled for years to get it relinquished from the Austin government, who considered it their “national treasure” —However, in the end, she prevailed—with the help of a young (rather inexperienced) lawyer cousin, who was reven eluctant to take the case (Randol Schoenberg). Remarkably, against all precedent (and contrary to Austrian case law), they won the case the painting was returned. Only a few years later, Ronald Lauder purchased it for whopping sum of $135 million—the highest price (at that time) ever paid for a painting—for his Neue Galerie.. He called it “our Mona Lisa!”
In addition to other impressive accomplishments, Lauder is credited with formulating the framework for Israel’s (possible) peace treaty with Syria.
In fact, just one month ago, in July 2025, authored a most cogent plea for peace in the Middle east. Paraphrasing this powerful assertion of the late King Hussein of Jordan: the dividing line is not between Jordan and Israel but between the proponents and the opponents of peace, Lauder went even further:
He concluded his July 2025 remarks this way:
“Both Israelis and Palestinians deserve the chance to live and dream of a peaceful and prosperous future for their children. We cannot let terrorism and the threat to a nations existence dictate our future.It is time for the proponents of peace to come together and raise their voices. Let us unite under the banner #2sttes4peace and work for a better future for all. Remember, our strength, as proponents of peace against the opponents of peace lies in our unity.”
Finally, I’d like to conclude this section about Ronald Lauder with what he spoke in Auschwitz, at the 80th Anniversary of the Liberation of Auschwitz. Although not usually an emotional man, he closed his remarks (seen here in the photo) explaining that this would likely be the last such event with … (and he paused here, and we all expected him to say “with Survivors”). However that’s not what he said. With HIM able to attend. In a halting, emotional voice, he concluded: “I tried my best. I hope I was worthy!”
Considering all that he has done, everyone in that audience would assure him that he was, indeed, worthy!
King Charles lights a memorial candle at the conclusion.
Ukraine’s Volodymyr Zelensky lights a candle. Of all the Heads of States and Monarchs present at the Ceremony, only President Zelensky received cheers and a standing ovation. For all others, the audience remained quiet and respectful. However we were unable to contain our admiration for him. Note: although the Soviet army actually liberated Auschwitz-Birkenau, they were NOT present at this momentous gathering. Either they had the good sense not to attend or they were pointedly told not to come.
Zelensky greets a Survivor, with reverence and great respect.
Entrance to Auschwitz with the famous maxim: Arbeit Macht Free/ Work Makes You Free
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