As war ravaged Europe in the 1940s, there were few places Jews could seek shelter as they fled Nazi persecution. One such place was Oswego, New York, which welcomed Jewish refugees with open arms at a time when hatred and fear were far too prevalent both here and abroad. To that end, this year, the Safe Haven Holocaust Refugee Shelter Museum will be celebrating the 80th anniversary of the arrival of close to 1,000 Holocaust refugees who came to Fort Ontario looking for safety. This year’s celebration could be the last time survivors of the Holocaust will be in attendance, making it all the more significant.

The events commemorating the anniversary begin Friday, Aug. 2, when the City of Oswego will sound bells at 7:30 a.m. to signify the arrival of those seeking shelter. Later in the day and again on Saturday, Aug. 3, guests will be provided free admission to the Safe Haven Museum and will be offered tours of significant sites related to the refugees’ arrival and stay. For the families of the refugees, free entry to Fort Ontario is also included in the celebration.

Also on Saturday, Author Anne Allen will be signing her book, “Holocaust Refugees in Oswego: From Nazi Europe to Lake Ontario,” which details the incredible formation of a community blending New York natives with the newly arrived Jewish emigrants. Later, Fort Ontario Site Manager Paul Lear will provide a history of the fort and its role as an emergency shelter. The shelter, notes the event’s organizers, was the only such haven for Holocaust victims living in the U.S. during World War II.

As we look back at one of the most egregious human rights violations in recorded history, it reminds us how important it is to celebrate our common ground and work toward understanding one another. Hatred and fear spread when we fail to acknowledge the intrinsic value of every person, and the Holocaust is a devastating reminder of what unchecked extremism can turn into. New York has always been a beacon of understanding and tolerance, and the Safe Haven Holocaust Refugee Shelter Museum is a great symbol of what we represent as a state and a country.

We are fortunate to have the museum here in Upstate New York, and its significance as an emblem of hope is as prevalent now as it ever was. For those who can attend, I am certain the anniversary celebration will be both moving and jarring. Now, more than ever, we must highlight the compassion and tolerance embedded in our history; it is what defines us as a nation, and it must be protected and preserved as a foundation of the democracy we have created here.