"Celebrating 80 Years of 'Visas for Life' Legacy: Chiune Sugihara's Enduring Impact"
Join us in saluting the valiant Chiune Sugihara, a Japanese diplomat who fearlessly flouted regulations during World War II to save countless Jewish lives. Recognized as one of the Righteous Among the Nations by Yad Vashem, Consul Sugihara issued transit visas at the Japanese Consulate in Kaunas, Lithuania, enabling thousands of Jews to slip past the clutches of the Nazis and seek refuge in a third country.
Dive deep into the touching stories of these brave souls at the Port of Humanity Tsuruga Museum, Japan, as we commemorate the 80th anniversary of Sugihara's heroic deeds. We're honored to have the Melamed family, whose ancestors received Sugihara visas and managed to squeeze past Nazi persecution, along with Akinori Nishikawa, the President of the Port of Humanity Tsuruga Museum, join us.
Our program, moderated by Richard Hirschhaut, Director of AJC Los Angeles, and emceed by Yuko Kaifu, President of our Los Angeles website, will also feature opening remarks from Consul-General of Japan in Los Angeles Akira Muto and California State Senate Majority Leader Robert M. Hertzberg.
Celebrate the inspiring life and selfless acts of Chiune Sugihara alongside us and our esteemed partners, AJC Los Angeles and the Consulate General of Japan in Los Angeles.
Videos
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Recording Available
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Speaker Profiles
Leo Melamed | Chairman Emeritus of CME Group, Visas for Life Survivor
As founder of financial futures, Leo Melamed revolutionized markets by creating the International Monetary Market (IMM)—the first futures exchange for financial instruments—at the Chicago Mercantile Exchange (CME Group) in 1972. Following his trailblazing move, Melamed led the CME in introducing currency futures, Treasury Bills, Eurodollars, and Stock Index Futures.
Akinori Nishikawa | Director, Port of Humanity Tsuruga Museum
Born in 1970 with a background in German philology from Osaka University of Foreign Studies, Akinori Nishikawa entered public service in 1995 and has held various roles up to his current position as Director of Port of Humanity Tsuruga Museum since 2016. He also served as a panelist for the Conference about Polish Orphans held in Poland in 2019.
Sen. Robert Hertzberg | California State Senate Majority Leader
Elected in 1996, Sen. Robert Hertzberg later served as Speaker of the California State Assembly, and in 2014, he was voted in as the State Senate Majority Leader to represent nearly one million people in the San Fernando Valley. Known for tackling even the toughest challenges, Hertzberg's tenacity and fortitude have earned him a formidable reputation in California's political scene.
Consul-General Akira Muto | Consulate General of Japan in Los Angeles
Akira Muto, a graduate from the Faculty of Economics, University of Tokyo, embarked on his diplomatic career in 1985. Over the years, he has held various positions at the Embassies of Japan in Washington DC and Moscow and served in crucial departments like Free Trade Agreement & Economic Partnership, Intelligence & Analysis, Russian Affairs, and Foreign Policy Coordination.
Richard S. Hirschhaut | Regional Director, AJC Los Angeles
Richard S. Hirschhaut took on the role of Director of AJC Los Angeles in 2019. He guides the organization's strategic moves in Southern California as its chief strategist, communicator, and spokesperson, helming a dynamic leadership network and talented professional team.
Yuko Kaifu | President, Our Website Los Angeles
Yuko Kaifu boasts an impressive career having been part of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan. Among her notable assignments were her service at the Embassy of Japan in Canada, the Ministry's headquarters in Tokyo, and as an official interpreter for dignitaries such as the Empress, Foreign Minister, and Prime Minister of Japan. In 2001, she was appointed a Consul at the Consulate General of Japan in Los Angeles.
Upcoming program
Journey through Japan: The Chiune Sugihara Story of Compassion
This discussion promises to be thought-provoking as we guide you through fascinating Japanese tourist destinations and locations pulsating with Jewish heritage, including sites tied to the compassionate acts of Chiune Sugihara.
Further Reading
Click here
to delve deeper into the lives of the remarkable individuals who made the difference through their "Visas for Life".
Related Film
Film credits are unavailable in our sources.
- The artwork at the Port of Humanity Tsuruga Museum, Japan, brilliantly showcases the stories of courage and resilience, encapsulating the essence of culture and community.
- In our upcoming events, we are thrilled to present focuses on education and politics, such as the Journey through Japan: The Chiune Sugihara Story of Compassion.
- Technology plays a crucial role in our society, as shown by Leo Melamed's groundbreaking development of financial futures at CME Group.
- Apart from the discussions, take a moment to explore general news and watch films that enlighten us about diverse topics like war-and-conflicts and film.
- For those passionate about history and innovation, Akinori Nishikawa's work at the Port of Humanity Tsuruga Museum is an engaging exploration of both.
- Modern-day leaders like Sen. Robert Hertzberg and Consul-General Akira Muto share insights on politics and diplomacy through their speeches and actions.
