OPINION – Sir Ben Helfgott: Take up the baton and hold it tight
With the focus of Shoah education on second and third generations, Sir Ben thanks those who have listened to his testimony - and who will be telling his story for years to come
On Holocaust Memorial Day, I am more preoccupied than usual with thoughts and reflections of the events of 75 years ago, the horrors of the final months of the war, my liberation from Theresienstadt in May 1945 and the good fortune of my subsequent arrival in Britain a few months later.
Now I’m 90, my memory is not what it was, but the recollection of those times and the precious memories of my parents, sister, cousins, friends and others who did not survive still remain fully in my mind. I have devoted a great deal of my time and energy to ensure they are not forgotten, and the history of their lives and those who came before them will be remembered.
I was also determined that future generations would be aware of how a shared hatred can result in the most abominable persecution. I did this so we would be on our guard against it at all times in the hope that we would build a more tolerant society and a buffer against hate.
After my experiences during the war, I felt compelled to do this, but I should say that throughout all this time, I did not let it totally dominate my life and I still enjoyed a most wonderful time with my family and many friends, building a business and enjoying sports, books and so much else.
People often ask me whether I am worried about whether the lessons of the Holocaust will be taught when, as is inevitable, there are no more living survivors.
Of course I am justifiably concerned that the Holocaust will hereafter be given the importance it deserves, the appropriate emphasis afforded to it and with the right messages taken from it.
At the same time, I pay tribute to so many people of different ages throughout this great country of ours, who have, over the past 40 or so years, given increasing respect to the survivors and listened to us.
More than that, so many of you have done so much in sustaining the memory of those who perished and learning about the Holocaust.
By doing so, you have had a profoundly beneficial influence by encouraging a more tolerant approach to so many important issues for society. This gives me great optimism and I owe you an enormous debt of gratitude.
Although my determination and commitment to keeping the flame alive remains undimmed, I can no longer do what I once did. I say to those who have already taken up the baton, hold it tight and keep going.
And to those who have not done so up to now, try to play a part in any way you can, so that when the time comes, future generations are not ignorant of what happened.
Thank you for helping to make Jewish News the leading source of news and opinion for the UK Jewish community. Today we're asking for your invaluable help to continue putting our community first in everything we do.
For as little as £5 a month you can help sustain the vital work we do in celebrating and standing up for Jewish life in Britain.
Jewish News holds our community together and keeps us connected. Like a synagogue, it’s where people turn to feel part of something bigger. It also proudly shows the rest of Britain the vibrancy and rich culture of modern Jewish life.
You can make a quick and easy one-off or monthly contribution of £5, £10, £20 or any other sum you’re comfortable with.
100% of your donation will help us continue celebrating our community, in all its dynamic diversity...
Engaging
Being a community platform means so much more than producing a newspaper and website. One of our proudest roles is media partnering with our invaluable charities to amplify the outstanding work they do to help us all.
Celebrating
There’s no shortage of oys in the world but Jewish News takes every opportunity to celebrate the joys too, through projects like Night of Heroes, 40 Under 40 and other compelling countdowns that make the community kvell with pride.
Pioneering
In the first collaboration between media outlets from different faiths, Jewish News worked with British Muslim TV and Church Times to produce a list of young activists leading the way on interfaith understanding.
Campaigning
Royal Mail issued a stamp honouring Holocaust hero Sir Nicholas Winton after a Jewish News campaign attracted more than 100,000 backers. Jewish Newsalso produces special editions of the paper highlighting pressing issues including mental health and Holocaust remembrance.
Easy access
In an age when news is readily accessible, Jewish News provides high-quality content free online and offline, removing any financial barriers to connecting people.
Voice of our community to wider society
The Jewish News team regularly appears on TV, radio and on the pages of the national press to comment on stories about the Jewish community. Easy access to the paper on the streets of London also means Jewish News provides an invaluable window into the community for the country at large.
We hope you agree all this is worth preserving.
