The Mayor of London, , and Chair of the London
Assembly, AM, have today welcomed Jewish
community leaders and Holocaust and genocide survivors to City
Hall for a service to commemorate Holocaust Memorial Day.
This year’s service – the first to take place in City Hall’s new
location at the Royal Docks – remembered the survivors and
victims of the Holocaust as well as those affected by other
genocides, in collaboration with the Holocaust Educational Trust
and the Holocaust Memorial Day Trust.
The theme was ‘Ordinary People’, reflecting on the fact that
ordinary citizens were involved in all aspects of the Holocaust
and subsequent genocides.
The ceremony included speeches by the Mayor, Chair of the London
Assembly, Chief Executive of the Holocaust Memorial Day Trust,
Olivia Marks-Woldman OBE, and Chief Executive of the Holocaust
Educational Trust, Karen Pollock CBE. It also featured personal
testimonies from Holocaust survivor Joan Salter MBE and Rwandan
genocide survivor Antoinette Mutabazi, as well as reflections
from Holocaust Educational Trust Ambassadors who will deliver the
Holocaust Memorial Day Statement of Commitment.
The El Male Rachamim memorial prayer was read by Rabbi Epstein
and Rebbetzin Ilana Epstein of the Western Marble Arch Synagogue.
Musical performances by Francesca Ter-Berg and Anna Lowenstein on
behalf of the Jewish Music Institute opened and concluded the
service.
The Mayor of London, , said: “I was honoured
to welcome community leaders and survivors to City Hall to mark
the forthcoming Holocaust Memorial Day. It is incredibly
important to remember the Holocaust and other genocides to ensure
that such atrocities are not repeated, and it serves as a
reminder of the dangers of hatred and intolerance. This year’s
theme, ‘Ordinary People’, encourages us to reflect on the fact
that both the perpetrators and victims of this shameful chapter
of human history were ordinary citizens, and reinforces our
resolve to never become complacent in the face of growing
divisions in our society.”
Chair of the London Assembly, AM said: “Holocaust
Memorial Day gives us all the chance to remember both the victims
and the survivors of one of the most horrific crimes against
humanity. It is essential that we continue to commemorate those
who suffered, to ensure future generations are aware of the
history faced by so many. It is truly a humbling experience to
hear real life stories from survivors of the Holocaust and other
genocides. The theme for this year’s Holocaust Memorial Day -
‘Ordinary People’ - is particularly poignant as it highlights the
fact that everyday people were involved in the Holocaust and
other genocides across the world. We come together with the hope
that no one is subjected to the pain and suffering that genocide
brings now, or in the future.”
Karen Pollock CBE, chief executive of the Holocaust
Educational Trust, said: “We are proud to support City
Hall in marking Holocaust Memorial Day 2023. Building on previous
successful events over many years, this commemoration provides an
opportunity for London to stop, come together and remember the
six million Jewish men, women and children who were murdered
during the Holocaust by the Nazis and their collaborators. As the
number of Holocaust survivors amongst us dwindles, we must seize
all opportunities to hear their voices and to remember their
testimonies, so that we might learn from the horrors of the past
and call out antisemitism and hatred wherever we see it.”
Olivia Marks-Woldman, chief executive of the Holocaust
Memorial Day Trust, said: ‘I’m delighted that the
Greater London Authority is once again marking Holocaust Memorial
Day at City Hall. The theme of Holocaust Memorial Day this year
is Ordinary People and as we gather in our communities, across
boundaries of faith, age and ethnicity, we must learn from
genocide – for a better future. It was very moving to hear from
Holocaust survivor Joan Salter and Rwanda genocide survivor
Antoinette Mutabazi. These are two amazing women and their
testimonies bring to life the experiences of those who endured
genocide. We owe it to those who were murdered, and those who
survived, and even future generations - to keep the memory of the
Holocaust and genocide alive. We also owe it to ourselves to keep
the memory alive - our humanity is diminished when we allow
prejudice to take root.”
ENDS
Notes to editors:
The International Day of Commemoration in memory of the victims
of the Holocaust 2023 is Friday 27 January.
The service can be viewed again here: https://www.london.gov.uk/events/holocaust-memorial-day-ceremony-2023
