ELLENSBURG, Wash. — There are entire generations that have nearly no connection to the atrocities inflicted on millions of people during the Holocaust.

The history of the Holocaust is passed on to younger generations through books, films and classes, while an ever-shrinking number are able to hear first-hand recollections from grandparents and great-grandparents.

As memories fade and are replaced by words in history books, it’s even more vital that the world’s youth understand what happened in Europe during that time — the genocide of approximately six million European Jews during World War II. By understanding it, future generations are taking an active role in helping to prevent further crimes against humanity.

“Through remembrance, not burying the past in silence, we can individually and collectively move to becoming better human beings who will choose goodness,” says CWU Philosophy and Religious Studies Associate Professor Heidi Szpek.

In an effort to bring understanding and education to Central Washington University students and the surrounding Ellensburg community, CWU will once again take part in Holocaust Remembrance Week, which commemorates the Warsaw Ghetto Uprising of 1943, when Jewish resistance groups in Poland bitterly fought for their lives against an extremely powerful and determined Nazi army. The uprising reached its peak on April 19 and ended May 16, 1943. It was the single largest Jewish uprising during World War II.

"Nearly 70 years have passed since the end of the Holocaust. These passing years have brought extensive knowledge of the Holocaust, memorials worldwide and numerous first-hand testimonies,” says Szpek. “Yet the passing of these years has also brought denial and perhaps worst of all, indifference.”

One moving and tangible way people can learn more about the events and survivors of the Holocaust is by attending the April 19 concert, “Musical Witnesses.” The free concert features music composed by some of the most gifted victims of Nazi persecution. Music of Remembrance Artistic Director Mina Miller will introduce the program and provide details about each piece and its composer’s life.

Some of Seattle's leading instrumentalists — violinists Mikhail Shmidt and Leonid Keylin, violist Susan Gulkis Assadi, and cellist Mara Finkelstein will join Miller, who is also a concert pianist.

It begins at 6:30 p.m. in the CWU Music Building Recital Hall. A pre-concert lecture with Miller will start at 4:45 p.m. in the Music Building, room 217.

On April 11 from 9 to 11 p.m., PBS (local KYVE channel 13) will air a new version of “The Diary of Anne Frank.” From April 11 to April 17, KCWU channel 15 will air past Holocaust remembrance talks by survivors Thomas Blatt, Peter Metzelaar, Stephen Adler and liberators Dee Eberhart and Leo Hymas.

The film, “God on Trial,” will be shown at 6:30 p.m. April 18 in Dean Hall, room 104. The 2008 BBC film is based on the true story of Jewish prisoners in Auschwitz. The viewing is free and open to the public.

Events are sponsored by the CWU department of philosophy and religious studies, the Diversity Education Center, the College of Arts and Humanities Special Events Funding, Chamber Music of America and the Society for Inter-religious Dialogue and Education