As the world marked Holocaust Memorial Day (HMD), Progressive Jews across Britain took part in public remembrance and educational events – commemorating the six million Jews murdered in the Holocaust, as well as the millions more murdered by the Nazis.
Through prayer, song and civic presence, they honoured their memory and upheld a proud Jewish responsibility to carry that memory into public life, shaping how the nation remembers, mourns and understands the moral weight of history.
We round up some of the events from this year’s HMD – which had the theme Bridging Generations – below. If you have one to add, please email media@progressivejudaism.org.uk.
The Borough of Barnet held its annual Holocaust Memorial Day commemoration and, as in previous years, Edgware and Hendon Reform Synagogue and Alyth were proud to take part. Members of the EHRS Singing Circle helped lead the music for the ceremony, alongside the Barnet Band and a youth choir from Alyth, with contributions including Esa Einai and Adon Olam. The commemoration concluded with the Priestly Blessing, chanted jointly by Cantor Tamara Wolfson of EHRS and Southgate Progressive Synagogue‘s Rabbi Danny Rich, The Worshipful Mayor of the London Borough of Barnet.
Rabbi Dr Margaret Jacobi (photo by Jack Rogers) spoke at Sandwell Holocaust Memorial Day, while Rabbi Lisa Barrett addressed the HMD event in Dudley – both representing Birmingham Progressive Synagogue. Rabbi Margaret read a message from congregant Ruth Shire, a 104-year old refugee from Nazi persecution. The event in Sandwell was attended by several West Midlands Mayors and the High Sheriff, and by young people from the local cadet forces. A moving address was also given by Mindu Hornick, a 96-year old survivor of Auschwitz.
Members of Newcastle Reform Synagogue (NRS) attended across the North East to commemorate Holocaust Memorial Day. The NRS team was incredibly busy covering a whole host of civic events from lighting up St Mary’s Lighthouse in Whitley Bay in purple through to participating in educational events for local schools through to speaking at Beamish, the Living Museum of the North, and of course representing the Jewish community at all the major civic commemorations in Newcastle, Sunderland and North Tyneside. All those involved – Brenda Dinsdale, Linda Scott, Yitka Graham, Lesley Hagon, Rabbi Fabian Sborovsky and Rabbi Sybil Sheridan – did Progressive Judaism proud.
Kingston Liberal Synagogue along with Kingston (Orthodox) Synagogue ran 10 HMD events for local secondary schools over two weeks, with financial support from the Borough of Kingston. In total more than 800 teenagers attended. The project has been running for more than 20 years. In their report, Southborough High School (pictured) wrote: “Two separate groups of Year 9 students had the privilege of stepping outside the classroom to engage directly with the Holocaust Memorial Workshop. Students had the important opportunity to listen to a Holocaust survivor on each day and gain an understanding of their experience during World War II. Students also learnt about children hidden by non-Jewish families during the war, the experience of the traveller community during the Holocaust and the impact of the Holocaust on them that continues today, reminding students of the importance of actions by the current generation in promoting equality and understanding of all people in the current modern world.”
Finchley Reform Synagogue‘s Holocaust Memorial Day programme for schools was featured on BBC News. The report centred on the incredible story of survivor Hedi Argent MBE, one of the many who spoke to children in the FRS sanctuary as part of their HMD work.
Sharon Goldstein, Vice President of The Ark Synagogue, had the honour of representing the community at the Three Rivers Holocaust Memorial Day Commemoration. Sharon was invited to officiate by raising the Holocaust Memorial Day flag and to share words of thanks, acknowledging Three Rivers Council for ensuring this vital, “never to be forgotten” commemoration took place. The ceremony included a moving minute’s silence, followed by a screening of the current Holocaust Memorial Day film, led by Robert Rinder. It was a small gathering, but deeply emotional and meaningful.
Philip Goldenberg, Co-Deputy Chair of North West Surrey Synagogue, represented the Jewish community at the commemorative Mass held at Christ Prince of Peace on Holocaust Memorial Day each year for victims of the Shoah. With the enthusiastic agreement of the Parish Priest Father David Murphy, Philip said Kaddish at the end of Communion, and they then jointly lit a Yahrzeit candle. North West Surrey Synagogue also hosted pupils and teachers from the local Three Rivers Academy, as well as Elmbridge Borough Council Mayor Steve Bax, to listen to Holocaust survivor Annick Lever tell her personal story.
The commemoration of Holocaust Memorial Day held in the packed Council Chamber of Chelmsford City Council was once again hosted by Stan Keller, Vice President of the new Harlow and Chelmsford Jewish Community. Stan opened the ceremony by speaking of the importance of remembering and honouring the six million Jewish victims of the Holocaust, as well as the millions more murdered by the Nazis, including members of the Roma and LGBTQI+ communities, and those killed in subsequent genocides. He later spoke out against the antisemitism we still see today, highlighting many recent incidents including the terrorist attacks on Jews in Manchester and Bondi Beach. The keynote speaker was Lu Lawrence, a second-generation survivor who told of the incredible story of survival of her father Zigi Shipper BEM (1930-2023).
Members of the Peterborough Liberal Jewish Community joined local residents of all faiths and ages at St John’s Church and the city’s Holocaust Memorial to mark HMD. Wreaths were laid, pupils from local schools took part through readings, music and drama, and faith and community leaders addressed the service. Speaking afterwards, PLJC chair Janet Berkman reflected on the enduring significance of the Holocaust for Jews and others, praised the strong involvement of young people, and stressed the need to remember, learn and stand together against hatred and antisemitism.
Rabbi Dr Andrea Zanardo of Brighton and Hove Reform Synagogue led the regions public Holocaust Memorial Day service at the City Hall, with representatives and artists from different communities across the city.
To commemorate Holocaust Memorial Day, in a new episode of ‘From the Librarian’s Desk’ (above), Leo Baeck College Senior Librarian, Cassy Sachar, shares with viewers Rabbi Sheila Shulman’s personal copy of the The Six Days of Destruction: Meditations toward Hope – a book co-written by Elie Wiesel and Rabbi Albert Friedlander OBE, a former Dean of LBC. In the video, Cassy says: “This slim volume is about hope and memory and all the complexities they carry.”