Chairman marks Holocaust Memorial Day

The Chairman of Three Rivers District Council, Cllr Chris Lloyd, attended the Northwood Holocaust Memorial Day event on Monday, which is the largest event of its type to commemorate Holocaust Memorial Day in the UK.

During the week of local events, which is organised jointly by Northwood United Synagogue and Northwood and Pinner Liberal Synagogue, around 2,000 local secondary school pupils from schools across Hertfordshire, Harrow and Hillingdon got the chance to participate in a truly unique school trip. Guest speakers who are survivors of the Holocaust themselves gave testimonies of their experiences to the youngsters, who then took part in workshops which enabled them to gain a better understanding of the Holocaust and its impact on contemporary issues such as racism, discrimination, bullying, persecution and citizenship.

The event is offered to schools to support the national curriculum in History, Religious Education, English and Citizenship and involves no religious content.

Neville Price, who helps organise the Northwood events, said:

“The students who come from the many schools in the local area have the unique opportunity to meet a Holocaust survivor, hear their testimony and ask questions about what they have heard. For many this is a once in a lifetime opportunity, something that sadly future generations will not have.  The unique stores heard first hand can help the students take home the messages they have heard, and put into everyday practice the lessons they have learned.  If what they witness helps to stop just one playground bully, it will be time well spent.”

Councillor Lloyd, who supported the event, said:

"It was a very moving experience attending the Northwood Holocaust Memorial Celebrations. I would encourage all Secondary schools in Three Rivers to attend. We were addressed by Rabbis from both the Liberal and Orthodox Synagogues and we saw a film specially made for the event - Kristallnacht - Night of Broken Glass by Adam Mizler. Archive footage was mixed with interviews with Holocaust survivors. The story of the Holocaust survivor brought tears to my eyes. The event also prompted us to think about other genocides in Cambodia and Rwanda. The day ended on a poignant note, with pupils from Northwood College lighting candles for 20 of the 1.5 million children killed."

The Northwood events have inspired other communities throughout the UK to host similar events of their own, thus ensuring even more young people have the unique opportunity to hear a Holocaust survivor speak

For further information on the local events to mark National Holocaust Day, residents can visit www.northwoodhmd.org.uk.