New exhibition in Swiss Cottage celebrates those who helped Jews during Holocaust
Between Life and Death combines the stories of rescuers and survivors
An exhibition that pays tribute to those who, despite the threat of imprisonment, deportation or death, chose to help persecuted Jews during the Second World War has opened at Swiss Cottage Library.
Between Life and Death combines the stories of rescuers and survivors, exploring acts of moral courage and the complexity of human relationships under extreme wartime conditions, placing each story within its broader historical context.
A panel discussion at the exhibition earlier this week brought together leaders from across the community, chaired by Cllr Rebecca Filer, who led discussion and questions related to the themes of connection and healing. On the panel were JW3 Holocaust learning and engagement programmer Thamar Barnett, Imam Mehmed Stublla, Camden Council’s Senior Community Partner Rosie Tharp and Stephen Shapiro from the Camden staff Jewish network.
Presented by the European Network Remembrance and Solidarity (ENRS), based in Poland, the exhibition has been shown at more than 30 venues across Europe, including the European Commission Headquarters in Brussels. Earlier this year, it was also presented at the United Nations Headquarters in New York.
The British chapter of the exhibition, which features accounts from 15 European countries, tells the stories of Eva Paddock, who arrived in Great Britain as a child on one the Kindertransport.
Agnieszka Mazur-Olczak, Project Coordinator, says: “The exhibition that feels remarkably contemporary despite focusing on historical events. It reveals both the light and the dark sides of humanity through stories of people who found themselves in extreme situations – those struggling to save their own lives and those who chose to risk everything to help others. What is most important to me is that, wherever the exhibition travels, people tell us that although recounting difficult wartime experiences, it ultimately leaves them with a sense of hope.”
The UK tour began in Southend-on-Sea and has since travelled to Worcester, Redditch, Loughborough, Sutton and Salford. It will go to Newark-on-Trent, Huddersfield and the London Borough of Barnet later this year.
Between Life and Death: Stories of Rescue During the Holocaust is at Swiss Cottage Library until 31 July 2026. Admission is free