The campaign launches on Yom HaShoah, April 24, highlighting the unprecedented theft of property during the Holocaust—focusing on artwork, heirlooms, and Judaica—while featuring stories from WJRO and the 80 Objects/80 Lives exhibition. Campaign encourages others to share their stories

(New York, NY) April 24, 2025 – To mark Yom HaShoah (Holocaust Remembrance Day), the World Jewish Restitution Organization (WJRO) is launching its fifth annual social media campaign, #MyPropertyStory: Cherished Possessions, to highlight the devastating theft of property from Jewish people and communities during the Holocaust and its aftermath. The campaign will run for four weeks, underscoring the enduring impact of these losses and the importance of remembrance and justice.

“On Yom HaShoah, we remember not only the millions of lives that were lost but also the homes, communal properties and family treasures that were stolen,” said Gideon Taylor, President of the World Jewish Restitution Organization (WJRO). “Eighty years after the Holocaust, the theft of Jewish property remains a live issue. For every well-known masterpiece looted, there are countless personal artifacts—prayer books, menorahs, kiddush cups, paintings, and letters—that remain missing, or behind closed doors in museums and the private homes of those who are not their rightful owners. These are not just objects; they are pieces of people’s lives, memories, and legacies. We hope this campaign will encourage more families to share their stories and inspire further action to reclaim and restore these lost pieces of heritage.”

Running from Thursday, April 24 through Thursday, May 22, 2025, this year’s campaign focuses on “Cherished Possessions” such as artwork, heirlooms, Judaica, and other personal items that carry deep historical and emotional significance. These objects are more than just material goods — they represent memories, traditions, and legacies that were violently taken away.

This year’s campaign also comes at a time of growing international focus on Holocaust-era restitution. The Best Practices for the Washington Conference Principles on Nazi-Confiscated Art, developed under the leadership of WJRO and the U.S. Department of State, have now been endorsed by 32 countries, reinforcing the urgency of addressing the theft of Jewish cultural and personal property. By sharing these stories, #MyPropertyStory highlights the importance of returning what was taken and ensuring justice for Holocaust survivors and their families.

This year’s campaign will feature a moving WJRO video highlighting the story of the Andor Glattstein family, whose cherished family shofar was hidden during the Holocaust in Hungary, and is now in private possession in Hungary. The family has been striving to reclaim it. This powerful narrative underscores the significance of family treasures and the profound and lasting impact of the Holocaust on Jewish heritage.

“For my family, the shofar is more than just an object—it is a connection to our past, a symbol of resilience, and a cherished part of our history that was nearly lost during the Holocaust. Knowing it survived when so much was taken gives us hope. We are committed to finding a meaningful resolution that honors our family’s legacy. Our greatest wish is to bring the shofar to the United States, where we can once again hear its sound and reconnect with this precious piece of our history,” said Sharon (Glattstein) Singer, daughter of Holocaust survivor Andor Glattstein.

As part of this year’s #MyPropertyStory: Cherished Possessions campaign, WJRO is proud to partner with 80 Objects/80 Lives, a British digital exhibition that brings the stories of Holocaust survivors and refugees to life through the objects they carried, saved, or lost. Created under the UK presidency of the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) and developed in partnership with the Association of Jewish Refugees (AJR) and the UK Holocaust Memorial Foundation, the exhibition presents objects featured in filmed testimonies of British Holocaust survivors and refugees, shared as individual social media posts. These objects—ranging from cherished childhood toys and family heirlooms to everyday personal items—are more than possessions; they are tangible links to history, telling stories of families, traditions, and communities lost or uprooted by the Holocaust.

For this year’s campaign, WJRO will feature eleven selected videos from 80 Objects/80 Lives, focusing on the “Objects from Before” section — artifacts that provide a glimpse into Jewish life before the Holocaust. These objects tell deeply personal stories, preserving the memory of Jewish communities, traditions, and family histories that were forever changed.

“Objects have the power to connect us to a lost world and give us a unique insight into the lives, culture and heritage of those who experienced Nazi oppression. The 80 Objects/80 Lives project ensures that the deeply personal narratives of Holocaust survivors and refugees are preserved and shared with new generations. We are proud to partner with WJRO’s #MyPropertyStory campaign, which amplifies the voices of Holocaust survivors and their families, shedding light on the lasting impact of the unprecedented theft of Jewish property. By sharing these objects and their histories, we honor the past and reaffirm the eternal importance of remembrance and justice,” said Michael Newman OBE, Chief Executive, Association of Jewish Refugees (AJR).

Among some of the featured videos from the 80 Objects/80 Lives exhibition include Erna Klein’s challah cover, a piece of Jewish heritage from Germany and Poland; John Hajdu’s teddy bear, which stayed with him through his journey from Hungary; and Sara Giffen’s menorah, a cherished family heirloom from the Netherlands. Some other objects include Marcel Anisfeld’s autograph book from Poland and Ruth Sands’ ring, which accompanied her from Austria to France. Each item serves as a powerful reminder of survival, loss, and resilience, ensuring that these stories are preserved and shared with new generations.

Participants in the #MyPropertyStory campaign are encouraged to post their own stories, photos, and videos on Facebook, Twitter, TikTok, and Instagram using the hashtag #MyPropertyStory and tagging @WJRORestitution. More information and resources can be found on WJRO’s website, including one-click sharing of WJRO’s videos, stories, and photos.

For more information on the exhibition, visit: 80 Objects/80 Lives, https://www.ajrrefugeevoices.org.uk/80-objects-80-lives