Survivors have marked this year’s Holocaust Memorial Day and the 70th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz concentration camp by attending community events across Camden, Barnet and Haringey.
The London Jewish Cultural Centre (LJCC) held a special commemoration event, titled Keep the Memory Alive, at Ivy House, in North End Road, Golders Green, on Friday.
The event carried added poignancy this year as it was the last Holocaust Memorial Day to be marked in Ivy House ahead of the LJCC’s departure from its historic base later this year to merge with Jewish community centre JW3, in Finchley Road.
As part of Friday’s event, actress Dame Janet Suzman introduced Holocaust survivors Anita Lasker-Walfisch, George Vulkan, Mala Tribich, Joanna Millan, Otto Deutsch and Renee Salt who spoke about their experiences and the importance of remembering the Holocaust.
There were also moving performances from musician Simon Lasker-Wallfisch, grandson of Ms Lasker-Walfisch.
Ms Tribich said: “We must remember so those who died are not forgotten because if they are forgotten it will be as though they never existed.”
On Sunday, Haringey Council leader Cllr Claire Kober marked Holocaust Memorial Day with a special ceremony at Bruce Castle Museum, in Tottenham, alongside Hornsey and Wood Green MP Lynne Featherstone and survivor Joan Salter.
Camden mayor Cllr Lazzaro Pietragnoli joined Muslim, Jewish and Christian leaders on Sunday to sign a declaration to challenge hate speech and intolerance at JW3.
Today, which marked exactly 70 years since the liberation of Auschwitz, there were three events in Camden to commemorate the landmark date.
Chief Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis attended a special service at La Sainte Union Catholic School, in Highgate Road, alongside Holocaust survivor Gena Turgel, while Labour MP Hilary Benn spoke at Camden Council’s official commemoration, which included a candle-lighting from Holocaust survivor Ruth Barnett, at the British Library, in Euston Road, King’s Cross.
This afternoon, author Judith Kerr, who has written books educating children on the rise of Nazism, spoke to fellow writer Nicolette Jones at House of Illustration, in Granary Square, King’s Cross.
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