08 October 2003
Yad Vashem joins the Asper family in mourning the passing of Israel H. Asper, a benefactor of Yad Vashem and founder of the Asper International Holocaust Studies Program at Yad Vashem’s International School for Holocaust Studies.
Avner Shalev, Chairman of the Yad Vashem Directorate, said “we mourn the loss of our friend Israel Asper, and we extend our deepest condolences to his family. His steadfast devotion to education across the globe about the Holocaust, anti-Semitism, racism, and human rights is a cornerstone in ensuring that an event like the Holocaust never happens again.”
The Asper International Holocaust Studies Program provides a number of Holocaust education-related activities for educators around the world, including a biannual international conference and follow-up forum; seminars for Jewish and non-Jewish educators from English-speaking countries; professional development outreach; and the International Task Force for Holocaust Education, Remembrance, and Research.
Asper was a successful media mogul in his native Canada. He was active in general Canadian and Jewish community affairs, a strong supporter of Israel, and a dedicated husband and father.
The funeral will take place on Thursday, October 9 at Temple Sha’arei Tzedek in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada at 1:00 PM.
Yad Vashem is planning to conduct a ceremony in Asper’s memory.
