Remembering Toshimi
We are so saddened by the sudden and tragic loss of Holocaust educator, Toshimi Abe-Janiga of Palm Beach, Florida. She was named Teacher of the Year in 2022 by the Palm Beach County School District.
It was an honor to have Toshimi participate at TOLI’s first seminar in Vilnius, Lithuania, in Oct. 2019, where she spoke about the life and legacy of Japanese diplomat, Chiune Sugihara, who saved thousands of Jews from the Holocaust by providing them with transit visas. Toshimi created the Holocaust Legacy Project to teach the lessons of Sugihara’s courageous actions to students in the US, Japan, and Lithuania. Like Sugihara, Toshimi was an inspiration to people she touched – students, teachers, parents, and so many in the TOLI network.
“When I teach a student about the Holocaust, I want them to participate, to prevent the next atrocity,” Toshimi said in an interview. “I want them to understand the warnings of what’s coming. I want them to make a choice to do the right thing as a human being.”
“Toshimi brought so much passion and commitment to teaching the Holocaust and especially the story of Sugihara and his courageous actions,” said Mark Berez, President of TOLI. “My wife, Carole, and I were fortunate to get to know her and so dearly appreciate her contribution to so many educators. Her loss is devastating. We at TOLI extend our deepest condolences to Toshimi’s family. May her memory be a blessing.”
Remembering Toshimi Abe-Janiga, Revered Holocaust Educator