Events and Activities Supported by the Blavatnik Family Foundation
International Holocaust Remembrance Day on January 27th, 2026, commemorates the genocide of six million Jews, one-third of the world’s Jewish population, and millions of other victims. This year marks more than eight decades since the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau, where over one million Jews were killed.
At a time where antisemitism remains a persistent issue, the Blavatnik Family Foundation reaffirms its commitment to preserving the memory and lessons of the Holocaust through sustained support for Jewish communities, education, film, art and cultural initiatives that confront hatred, promote remembrance, and help ensure such atrocities are never repeated.
Initiatives the Foundation is supporting include:
‘A Letter to David‘
Miami, January 24-25; New York, January 26; Las Vegas, January 25
The Blavatnik Family Foundation is proud to support ‘A Letter to David’, a powerful film written by Tom Shoval and produced by Nancy Spielberg. This deeply moving cinematic letter to David Cunio, a star of Shoval’s 2013 film Youth who was taken hostage on October 7, 2023, explores the intersection of memory, reality, and the profound impact of war. Following its premiere at the Berlinale, the film will be screened at multiple festivals: the Miami Jewish Film Festival (January 24-25), the New York Jewish Film Festival (January 26), and the Jewish Nevada International Film Festival (February 2).
The ‘Zone of Interest’ Screening and Panel Discussion
Imperial War Museum, London, UK, January 25
The ‘Zone of Interest’ is Executive Produced by Sir Leonard Blavatnik, Founder of the Blavatnik Family Foundation, and Danny Cohen, President of Access Entertainment. At Imperial War Museum London, the Foundation most recently supported the Blavatnik Art, Film and Photography Galleries.
On January 25, IWM will host a screening of ‘The Zone of Interest’, Jonathan Glazer’s Oscar-winning film based on Martin Amis’ novel, followed by a Q&A with IWM’s James Bulgin and Professor Barry Langford. The film, executive produced by Sir Leonard Blavatnik, explores the chilling banality of the life of Auschwitz commandant Rudolf Höss and his family. The event is part of the Foundation’s ongoing support for IWM projects, including the recent Blavatnik Art, Film, and Photography Galleries.
Tickets can be bought here.
English Chamber Orchestra
Imperial War Museum, London, UK, January 27
On January 27, the English Chamber Orchestra will perform a specially commissioned program at IWM, reflecting on the lives of Holocaust survivors and the memory of those who perished. The 20-minute performance will be free to attend and will be heard throughout the Atrium, with seating available on a first-come, first-served basis on the roof terrace.
More information can be found here.
Zibby Owens, Jenny Mollen, Rabbi Steve Leder, and Rebecca Minkoff in Conversation with Allison Gilbert: ‘On Being Jewish Now’
92NY, New York City & Online, January 26
On January 26, 2026, join bestselling author and podcast host Zibby Owens, Rabbi Steve Leder, actress and writer Jenny Mollen, and fashion designer Rebecca Minkoff for a heartfelt conversation on navigating Jewish identity today. Moderated by Allison Gilbert, this discussion, inspired by the bestselling anthology ‘On Being Jewish Now’, will explore what it means to belong as a Jewish person in a world marked by isolation and fear.
This event is part of 92NY’s Connected Lives series, which explores how we build meaningful relationships and find belonging in the modern age. You can purchase tickets here, and streaming access here.
The Alfred Landecker Memorial Lecture: Autocracy, Inc: The Dictators Who Want to Run the World
Blavatnik School of Government, Oxford and Online, January 27
The Alfred Landecker Memorial Lecture will take place on January 27, 2026, at the University of Oxford’s Blavatnik School of Government and online. This year’s lecture, delivered by Journalist and Historian Anne Applebaum, is based on her new book Autocracy, Inc.: The Dictators Who Want to Run the World. In the book, Applebaum examines how autocracies collaborate to weaken democratic nations and what must be done to counter them.
Chaired by Ngaire Woods, Dean of the Blavatnik School, the event will include a moderated Q&A session and a drinks reception. Open to the public, the lecture is free, with prior registration required. This annual lecture, held in partnership with the Alfred Landecker Foundation, marks Holocaust Memorial Day and forms part of the Alfred Landecker Programme, which focuses on protecting minority rights and upholding democratic values.
Register here to attend.
New Perspectives on the History of Antisemitism: A Roundtable Discussion with Mark Weitzman, Susannah Heschel, Maurice Samuels, and Samuel Freedam – In-Person Program
Center for Jewish History, New York City, January 27
On January 27, 2026, join Mark Weitzman, co-editor of ‘The Routledge History of Antisemitism’, along with contributors Susannah Heschel and Maurice Samuels, for a roundtable discussion on the evolving history and contemporary challenges of antisemitism. Moderated by Samuel Freedman, the discussion will explore fresh perspectives on antisemitism’s origins, its varied manifestations, and its cultural and social impacts. This critical conversation will address how antisemitism, once seen as a historical issue, remains a pressing global concern today. A reception will follow the program, and the book will be available for purchase and signing.
Registration is required through this link.
Holocaust Remembrance Today – a Living Responsibility: A Panel Discussion in Conjunction With the Exhibition “Between Life and Death: Stories of Rescue During the Holocaust” at the United Nations
Location:
YIVO Institute for Jewish Research, New York City & Online, January 29
Detail:
Moderated by Jayashri Wyatt, the panel comprising Elzbieta Ficowska, Mordecai Paldiel, Jay Winter (Charles J. Stille Professor of History Emeritus at Yale University), and Daniel Blatman (Max and Rita Haber Professor Emeritus of Contemporary Jewry and Holocaust Studies at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem) will discuss how remembrance has evolved over the decades, how stories of rescuers and survivors can be communicated to younger generations, and how to respond to new challenges such as disinformation and the rapid development of AI, as well as the fading of living memory.
Register for In-Person and Online attendance here.