Holocaust Memorial Day Roundup
Remembering and not forgetting
Over the past week there have been a number of events commemorating Holocaust Memorial Day marking the 75th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau. It was inspiring and touching to hear some of our members speak as well as participate in candle-lighting ceremonies at these events.
Commemorations
AJR’s HMD Service
Our service was held at Belsize Square Synagogue and attended by members, friends and notable guests Ralf Teepe, Head of Culture and Education at the German embassy, Christoph Weingartner, head of press and public diplomacy from the Austrian embassy, and Vivi Aisen, the Director of Public diplomacy at the Israeli embassy.
Our speakers addressed this year’s theme ‘Stand Together’. The service and candle lighting was led by Rabbi Stuart Altshuler. Auschwitz survivors Frank Bright and Zigi Shipper BEM spoke about their experiences in the infamous concentration camp and the importance of testimony and sharing history with future generations. Hephzibah Rudofsky, daughter of Lady Zahava Kohn, spoke about standing together to recount history. Jane Banham, an AJR volunteer who works on our My Story project, shared excerpts from Dr Peter Brunner, Mary Green and Suzanne Lee as recorded in their My Story books. Emma Harrod, granddaughter of Zigi Shipper BEM recited a moving poem titled, “A Prayer of a Jewish Leader in an Extermination Camp”.
For more information about the event:-
BBC Radio 4: https://t.co/dC4yrxm5dz – from 31:24
ITV News: https://www.itv.com/news/london/2020-01-24/auschwitz-survivor-to-adolf-hitler-you-didn-t-succeed-we-re-still-here/
Ham & High: https://www.hamhigh.co.uk/newxzzzxs/heritage/holocaust-memorial-day-belsize-square-synagogue-1-6485624
Jewish Renaissance podcast: https://www.jewishrenaissance.org.uk/jr-outloud
London HMD
At Central Hall in Westminster, The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge joined survivors, including AJR member Ernest Simon BEM, to light candles at an International Holocaust Memorial Day event.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-51270297
20th Annual Glasgow University Holocaust Memorial Lecture
The subject of this year’s Glasgow University Holocaust Memorial Lecture was THE Final Solution – New Answers to Old Questions. Guest lecturer was Professor Ulrich Herbert, a Gerda Henkel Visiting Professor in the Department of International History at the London School of Economics and Political Science.
There were over 400 people attending the event including a number of AJR members. In his welcome address, Senior Vice-Principal and Vice-Chancellor Professor Neal Juster thanked the AJR, long-standing friends and sponsors of the series as well as welcoming members to the event. AJR Scotland and Newcastle Outreach and Volunteer coordinator Agnes Isaacs spoke briefly of the organisation’s work and its delight at sponsoring the event.
Scotland HMD
Scotland’s HMD took place in the Scottish Parliament on Holocaust Memorial Day. The key speaker was AJR member Janine Webber BEM, who was born in Lwów in Poland (now L’viv, Ukraine) in 1932 and went into hiding during the war.
East Renfrewshire Council
In recognition of the enduring and universal significance of the Holocaust, East Renfrewshire Council jointly hosted a Holocaust Memorial Day event with Renfrewshire Council. Member Howard Singerman gave the keynote talk at the event.
Falkirk commemorates Holocaust Memorial Day
Central Scotland Regional Equality Council (CSREC) marked the 75th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau on HMD. On behalf of the Scottish Council of Jewish Communities and The Association of Jewish Refugees, a memorial candle was lit by Lord Julian Goodman, followed by an informal reception.
Read more: https://www.falkirkherald.co.uk/news/people/falkirk-commemorates-holocaust-memorial-day-1-5082210
Greater Manchester commemorates Holocaust Memorial Day
Manchester Cathedral Commemoration of the 75th anniversary of the Liberation of Auschwitz – Birkenau
On Holocaust Memorial Day, an event was held for survivors, faith, civic, political and community leaders and school children.
The Mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham, the High Sheriff of Greater Manchester, Mark Isaac, and Rabbi Daniel Walker were at the moving event, held at Manchester Hall. Icek Alterman, one of the Windermere Children, gave an account of his experiences as a child in the Holocaust.
Bury HMD
This event took place at Longfield Community Centre, Prestwich where young people told the story of Abraham Pawlowski from his My Voice book. Abraham then lit a memorial candle. The event was attended by The High Sheriff of Manchester, Mark Adlestone and the Mayor of Bury.
Stockport HMD
This event took place at the Stockport Art Gallery where Ruth Lachs told her story. The event was attended by the Mayor of Stockport and the Chief Executive of the Council, Lord Lieutenant of Manchester, and religious leaders from the borough.
Salford HMD
The commemoration took place at Salford University and was attended by the Mayor and Ceremonial Mayor of Salford and members of Salford City Council. Robbie Gontarz told the story of his father Sam who had been invited to speak, but sadly passed away in December.
Member mentions
Our members were very involved in a number of activities building up to Holocaust Memorial Day. They were present at commemorative events, gave talks and took part in a number of interviews for radio, television and print.
Sir Erich Reich addressed a number of audiences for Holocaust Memorial Day. He spoke at the Haringey Civic Centre hosted by the Mayor of Haringey, Councillor Sheila Peacock at Richmond synagogue, attended by the Mayor, local councillors and dignitaries, and at a school assembly at The Archer Academy. He spoke about coming to England on the Kindertransport and his achievements both personal and for charitable causes, as well as how the Kinder still stand together and how important it is to remember today’s unaccompanied refugee children who need help.
Countrywide, members gave talks about their experiences during the Holocaust.
Jewish News Special Holocaust Memorial Day Edition
The Jewish News published a commemorative Holocaust Memorial Day editionDebra Barnes, who runs our My Story and Second Generation projects, was one of the guest editors for this special edition.
Read more: https://issuu.com/jewishnewsuk/docs/1142_hmd
Appearances & Exhibitions
AJR sponsored the Stand Together week of exhibitions, education and talks marking the 75th anniversary of the end of the Holocaust. As part of this event, Dr. Bea Lewkowicz who runs our Refugee Voices Testimony Archive interviewed Lili Pohlman, who survived the war in hiding in Lvov, at South Hampstead Synagogue.
Dr Lewkowicz attended an HMD event hosted by the Lord Major of Westminster. The Kinder Exhibition was exhibited at both South Hampstead Synagogue and Westminster City Hall.
Royal Photographic Tribute
The Duchess of Cambridge, Kate Middleton took photographs of two survivors and their families for an exhibition marking the 75th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau. This received significant coverage across all press genres. The Duchess, an avid photography buff, described the survivors in her portraits as “two of the most life-affirming people that I have had the privilege to meet.”
Read more: https://time.com/5772309/kate-middleton-auschwitz-survivor-holocaust-portraits/