Holocaust survivor Anita Lasker-Wallfisch who played in the women’s orchestra at Auschwitz will join other survivors at an event to commemorate this year’s Holocaust Memorial Day at JW3, the London Jewish Cultural Centre,in Hampstead.
The theme of the commemoration this year is “The Power of Words” in an effort to counter the alarming rise of anti-semitism, racism and xenophobia in Europe.
Senior lecturer in Jewish history and holocaust studies, Trudy Gold, said: “Today we commemorate the victims of the Holocaust against the backdrop of rising antisemitism, racism and xenophobia in Europe. We have to face the fact that education has failed to dent prejudice. Where do we go from here and how can the right words change the way people think?”
Anita Lasker-Wallfisch, 92, from Kensal Rise, survived Auschwitz by playing the cello in the camp orchestra and has told her story in her memoir Inherit The Truth.
She came to London after the liberation fo the camps and found herself in a house full of musicians in West Heath Drive, in Hampstead, presided over by Emanuael Hurwitz.
Anita went on to enjoy a high profile career with the English Chamber Orchestra - which she helped found in 1948 when it was called the Goldsborough Orchestra.
Joining her at the memorial event, will be novelist Howard Jacobson, actress Dame Janet Suzman and fellow actor Tom Conti who will read pieces about the Warsaw Ghetto.
Ambassadors from Germany, Austria, Poland and Lithuania, Barnet MP Mike Freer and Hampstead and Kilburn MP Tulip Siddiq and have also been invited to attend the event at 10:30am on Friday.
* In Camden, Holocaust survivor Bea Green, who came to Britain aged fourteen on the Kinderstransport as a refugee from Nazi Germany, will attend a Holocaust Memorial Day event at The Weiner Library, which will reflect on the Power of Words theme.
The library has the world’s oldest archive of material on the Holocaust and the Nazi era including a collection of eyewitness testimonies collected during the 1950s.
Rabbi Shlomo Levi will say Kaddish during the event on Thursday evening between 6pm to 7pm. To attend the event, book here.* In Haringey, a multi-faith event will see residents, school children, genocide survivors, faith leaders and community representatives come together for readings and reflections on this year’s theme; The Power of Words.
The ceremony, which has been organised by Northumberland Park councillor and former Mayor of Haringey Sheila Peacock, will remember those that died and suffered during the Holocaust, as well as countless others who have been killed in genocides since.
The event is at 2pm on Sunday in the Council Chamber at the Civic Centre, Wood Green.
Haringey Council Cabinet Member for Communities Cllr Eugene Ayisi said: We must never forget the terrible events of the Holocaust. We hope many people will join us to pay their respects at what is sure to be a very moving ceremony.”
* In Barnet a multi-faith service will be held to commemorate Holocause Memorial Day with speakers including Barnet borough commander Det Ch Supt Simon Rose and Simon Bentley the Chairman of Yad Vashem UK Foundation, They will be joined by students from Woodhouse sixth form college who have recently visited Auschwitz, and will give readings and talks on lessons from Auschwitz, with music from London Cantorial Singers, The Alyth Youth Singers and The Barnet Band. At Rickett Quadrangle, Middlesex University, The Burroughs, Hendon, at 1pmon Sunday. For more information see here.To learn more about Holocaust Memorial Day 2018 visit www.hmd.org.uk
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