Shoah survivors launch memorial day resources

Holocaust memorial organisations hosted survivors in parliament to promote 2017's HMD

Survivors of the Shoah and other genocides came together in the House of Commons to launch a range of free resources for next year’s Holocaust Memorial Day.

Survivors Susan Pollack, Lily Ebert and John Hadju joined MPs – including communities secretary Sajid Javid and Golders Green and Finchley’s Mike Freer – in Westminster for last night’s event.

Laura Marks OBE and Olivia Marks-Woldman of the Holocaust Memorial Day Trust (HMDT) led proceedings.

Hadju, who was forced to live in the Budapest Ghetto during the Nazi occupation of his native Hungary, spoke movingly of his experiences during and after the Holocaust.

Paying tribute to the efforts of those involved, HMDT chief executive Olivia Marks-Woldman said: “The theme for HMD 2017: How can life go on? asks us all to consider what we can do to help nations and individuals affected by genocide come to terms with the past and try to rebuild shattered societies.

“We were delighted that the Secretary of State for the Department of Communities and Local Government, Rt. Hon. Sajid Javid MP helped to launch our resources, and would like to thank him, Mike Freer MP and Tasmina Ahmed-Sheikh MP.

She added that “many people” would be using the charity’s extensive range of educational resources in the run-up to Holocaust Memorial Day, which will take place on January 27.

: Survivor John Hajdu

: Survivors of the Holocaust: Dr Martin Stern, Sabina Miller, Ben Helfgott MBE and Zigi Shipper BEM with his wife, as well as John Hajdu and some HMDT Youth Champions

: Sajid Javid MP (second from the right) with Susan Pollack MBE and Lily Ebert BEM are both standing with Laura Marks OBE, HMDT Chief Executive Olivia Marks-Woldman, and John Hajdu.