Chelsea and Jewish News team up to aid Imperial War Museum’s Holocaust Galleries

Chelsea Football Club in partnership with Jewish News held a gala dinner on Thursday evening to raise funds for the Imperial War Museum’s new Holocaust Galleries in London.

The event, presented by comedian David Baddiel and entitled ‘Light From The Dark was attended by 350 guests including Lord Coe, former chairman of the British Olympic Association, Chelsea FC Chairman Bruce Buck, and Rabbi Nicky Liss, who represented the Chief Rabbi.

Attendees heard from Holocaust survivor Freddie Knoller who delivered an inspirational message: “We survivors are fighting to ensure the world never forgets what happened and to ensure it never happens again. I believe I am alive today because of my attitude to life- I fought for survival and continue to do so to this day.”

Recounting his own experiences as a descendent of Holocaust survivors, David Baddiel said: “It seems odd when discussing the Holocaust to be inspired by stories, but the worst events can often bring out the best in people. My grandparents survived, which I think is an inspiration of itself.

“Tonight was a great, uplifting and important event,” he added. “Well done to Chelsea for supporting the Imperial War Museum’s efforts to keep the memory of the Holocaust alive.”

The Imperial War Museum in London is currently expanding its Holocaust and Second World War Galleries and creating a new learning centre. The museum will become the first in the word to physically and thematically connect the Holocaust with the Second World War.

Diane Lees CBE, Director-General of the Imperial War Museums, said: “It is incredible to be here tonight and hear from survivors. On behalf of the Imperial War Museums, I’d like to thank Roman Abramovich, Bruce Buck and everyone at the Chelsea Foundation for organising this fascinating evening.

“We shall soon be in a world where there are no living witnesses to the events of the Second World War and the Holocaust, so our duty to educate future generations has never been more pressing,” she argued. “We are delighted to be working in partnership with Chelsea Foundation’s ‘Say No to Antisemitism’ campaign, which highlights the importance of education and awareness of the past to ensure a better future for us all.”

The new galleries will open in 2021. Almost 90% of the funding has already been secured for the project, with £2 million still to be raised.

Chelsea’s ‘Say No to Antisemitism’ campaign recently won an award at the London Football Awards. The project, launched in early 2018, includes an educational programme on antisemitism and its effect on Jewish people and the wider community.

Speaking to the Jewish News, Chelsea FC chairman Bruce Buck, said: “This is a very important event enabling Chelsea to partner up with the Imperial War Museum, bringing awareness to their Holocaust project and our tackling antisemitism project. Education is crucial to help solve antisemitism and the Imperial War Museum is pulling together a project which is certainly going to help in that regard.

“All sporting institutions are doing good causes of different kinds,” he added. “We hope other football clubs in the UK and other sporting institutions around the world will start their own tackling antisemitism projects, and we would certainly be happy to assist others.”

Under the direction of club owner Roman Abramovich, the club’s dedication to Holocaust education has also included Holocaust survivor Harry Spiro attending a meeting of the first team to speak about his experiences, and an event in Parliament hosted by House of Commons Speaker John Bercow.

Guests also heard from Judge Robert Rinder, who recalled his experiences on the BBC show ‘Who Do You Think You Are?’.

In a powerful address, Rinder warned: “It is critical to remember that this hate did not emerge all of a sudden- it emerged against the backdrop of democracy. It took place because people forgot to protect democracy, to think about it and above all forgot to remember.

“We will not forget to remember, because organisations like the Imperial War Museum are the custodians of truth who help us and future generations. Whilst we help them we protect our democracy.”

Renowned journalist Hella Pick, who arrived on the Kindertransport from Austria, also discussed her experiences with Michael Attenborough, whose family hosted two German-Jewish girls for seven years from 1939.

The evening featured a live auction bid, with prizes including a private tour of the Churchill War Rooms, the experience of flying in a Spitfire and VIP travel to a European football match with Chelsea FC.

There were also raffle prizes, including a signed Chelsea FC football and a DC Vintage Bakelite telephone.

Robert Singer, CEO of the World Jewish Congress, which has worked closely with Chelsea FC in countering antisemitism, said: “Chelsea is doing a fantastic job in leading the charge against antisemitism in sports. The only way to deal with Holocaust denial, and all forms of antisemitism and hatred, is through strong leadership. This means publicly denouncing and condemning antisemitism whenever it rears its head.

“Premier league players are leaders and role models among young people and fan bases so the fact that Chelsea has taken a stance on this is very significant and important.”

Guests also heard live music by the Topaz String Trio, who performed works by the composer Hans Neumeyer written before his death in Theresienstadt in 1944.

Speaking to the Jewish News, Lord Coe, former Chairman of the British Olympic Association, added: “I’ve spent my whole life fighting discrimination in sport in any guise or form so for me this is a very instinctive place to be. Sport is the number one social worker in every community and we need the world to recognise the work sport is doing.”

Reflecting on the evening, Richard Ferrer, Jewish News editor, said: “Jewish News is proud to have teamed up with Chelsea Football Club for such a momentous event. It was incredibly moving to spend the evening in the company of survivors and see first hand what the Imperial War Museum’s magnificent work means to them.”