In 2006, We Walk to Remember (WW2R) was first held at New York University. In the 14 years since, the program has become the world’s largest and longest-running multi-campus Holocaust remembrance programs. The purpose was simple: we wanted to give AEPi Brothers, family and friends an opportunity to raise awareness about the Holocaust and the atrocities committed against mankind. The campaign is a series of walks organized by AEPi chapters on their college campuses with Brothers wearing black and holding a silent procession through campus to honor those killed in the Holocaust. Walkers wear the words, “Never Forget” on signs attached to their shirts. WW2R was created and held in conjunction with B’nai B’rith International’s ‘Unto Every Person is a Name’ program. 

Each year, more than 100 AEPi chapters host a walk on their campus. The program usually concludes with a short service by a local Rabbi and/or the chapter Brothers. Some chapters and colonies will read the names of those murdered in the Holocaust out loud in a busy, public space on campus for a period of time (sometimes up to 24 hours). Participation in the walk is completely voluntary and members of the greater campus and community are always highly encouraged to join.

However, this year’s program will have to be conducted differently due to the unfolding pandemic. With campuses closed for WW2R, chapters will be moving their program to a virtual setting. AEPi International is joining our chapters in rebranding this year’s We Walk to Remember as We Watch to Remember. On Yom HaShoah, Tuesday, April 21, from 3:00-4:00 PM EDT, AEPi International will be live streaming a name reading on Facebook. Join us as Brothers across the globe come together to remember those who were lost.

This year, AEPi is also partnering with One More Candle for WW2R. One More Candle is an organization that offers people an opportunity to adopt the memory of a child whose life was cut short as a result of the Holocaust. One More Candle is committed to remembering every one of the 1.5 million children murdered in the Shoah. AEPi, like One More Candle, values the sentiment of L’Dor V’Dor – from generation to generation. Fathers experience the joy of watching their sons get initiated into our fraternity, tradition gets passed down from Brother to Brother and generations of families proudly wear our letters. But what about the young men who died in the Holocaust that never had this chance?

On Yom HaShoah, we will be adopting 1,953 young men – young men who could have been our undergraduate Brothers – and reading their names aloud. When the name reading is over, each AEPi chapter will adopt 11 of these young men (to symbolize AEPi’s Founding Fathers, known as the Immortal 11) to read each year during their campus’ WW2R program. We are proud to partner with One More Candle this year and look forward to helping ensure that we #NeverForget.

Will we be seeing you on Yom HaShoah for this year’s WW2R? Let us know and RSVP on Facebook!