Holocaust Memorial Day (HMD) 2010, the 65th anniversary
Hope is not the expectation that things will turn out successfully but the conviction that something is worth working for, however it turns out.’ Vaclav Havel.
‘This year’s Holocaust Memorial Day marks the 65th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz. The theme chosen by the Holocaust Memorial Trust for this year is ‘The Legacy of Hope’. With fewer and fewer survivors remaining to bear witness and in the light of revisionism and holocaust denial it is now perhaps more important than ever to remember in order to move forward with authenticity. The poet John Donne wrote, ‘Each man’s death diminishes me, For I am involved in mankind’. I believe that this annual Interfaith Service of Commemoration is an important affirmation of that belief and that it is in itself a sign of hope.
During the Second World War and in the years following, the depth of darkness and evil of which mankind was seen to be capable seemed to many to question, even overturn, the idea of a God of Love and Hope. Many since then have echoed Rabbi Hugo Grynn who asked, ‘Where was God in Auschwitz?’ and perhaps, theologically it is one of the most important questions to have emerged from the experience of the Holocaust. Today, in acknowledgement of this and in keeping with this year’s theme, we asked all of our contributors to consider the question, ‘How do you find Hope after Auschwitz?’
As we listen to these reflections, we will hear also poems by the Irish writer Mikhail O’shiall from his collection ‘The Gossamer Wall: poems in witness to the Holocaust’. O’shiall has described how he wanted to write poems of celebration but felt that he could not do this until he had faced what he considered to be the greatest darkness in the history of mankind. For four years he devoted his time to reading and thinking about survivor’s testimonies and histories of the Holocaust in order to distil this one book of poems. What he found, in the end, brought him a personal sense of Hope and a way forward even from the midst of the most profound evil. He wrote: It was not an unearned lyricism for me and it (the poem) is no justification, no simplification of it. I came out of it with some hope for the future because the extraordinary thing is, in the belly of the beast, in those camps, in the worst of all.
HMD events 11.01.10 – 5.02.10
The Jewish East End Celebration Society (JEECS), supported by the Borough of Tower Hamlets, is organising a programme of events for Holocaust Memorial Day (HMD) 2010. All events listed are free, and open to the public. The theme of HMD 2010 is “The Legacy of Hope.” The programme includes:
Heroes Of Our Time Exhibition
Details: 11th January to 29th January (Monday to Friday, 930am to 10pm, Saturday 10am to 2pm)
Venue: Oxford House, Derbyshire Street, London E2 6HG
A special exhibition presented by Survivors Fund (SURF) on the survivors of the Rwandan genocide, focused on the situation of survivors in Rwanda today 15 years on from the genocide. A free, public opening of the exhibition will be held on 11th January 2009 at 730pm with featured photographer, Andrew Sutton. For further information, see www.oxfordhouse.org.uk
and www.survivors-fund.org.uk. No reservations required.
The Legacy of Hope Collection
Details: From 11th January
Venue: All participating Tower Hamlets Ideas Stores and Libraries
A collection of DVDs and Books around the theme of The Legacy of Hope available for free loan over the month of January from all participating Tower Hamlets Ideas Stores and Libraries.
And Then They Came For Me
Details: Monday 25th January – Refreshments from 6pm. Performance starts promptly at 7pm.
Venue: Brady Arts Centre, Hanbury Street, London E1 5HU
A free public event. This multimedia play (suitable for all ages) weaves videotaped interviews of Holocaust survivors Eva Schloss and Ed Silverberg with live actors, recreating scenes from World War II. Part oral history, part action, part direct address, part remembrance, this play has been acclaimed by audiences and critics in productions worldwide. There will be a Q&A with Eva Schloss following the performance and a candle-lighting ceremony. To reserve a seat email festivalsandevents@towerhamlets.gov.uk or phone
The Legacy of Hope Exhibition
Details: 25th January to 31st January (Monday to Saturday, 9am to 5pm, Sunday 12pm to 5pm)
Venue: Free to be viewed from http://tinyurl.com/hmd2010
A special exhibition presented by Yiddisher Kunst (Jewish Art) of portraits depicting life in the Orthodox Jewish community in Stamford Hill, London, by local photographer David Braun. Many older Jews living in the area are survivors of the Holocaust. The exhibition will feature at selected Ideas Stores including Bow and Canary Wharf.
The Holocaust, Second World War and Jewish East End Walk
Details: Sunday 31st January – 10am ‘til 12.15pm
Start: Meet at Aldgate tube
A walk led by East End expert, and registered Corporation of London walking guide, Clive Bettington. The walk will cover the Battle of Cable Street and will feature stories and history of related individuals and landmarks. The walk will end at the Mile End Genesis, in time for the film screening. The walk is free. To reserve a place email clivebettington@lineone.net or call .
Special film screening of “Escape From Sobibor”
Details: Sunday 31st January – 1230pm ‘till 3pm
Venue: Mile End Genesis Cinema, Mile End Road, E1 (nr tube Stepney Green)
A special screening of Escape From Sobibor – an acclaimed feature-length drama on the most successful uprising by Jewish prisoners at a Nazi Concentration Camp. The escape forced the Nazis to close the death camp, dismantling it and planting a forest. The film was directed by Jack Gold. The film is free and no reservation or ticket is required. (Certificate: 15)
Tower Hamlets HMD Interfaith Commemoration
Details: Sunday 31st January – 3.30pm ‘til 5pm
Venue: East London Central Synagogue, Nelson Street, E1 (nr tube Shadwell DLR)
An interfaith commemoration with representatives from the Tower Hamlets Interfaith Forum reflecting on the importance to “The Legacy of Hope”. The readings and reflections will be interspersed with music. Light refreshments will be served. The event is free and no reservation or ticket is required.
The Holocaust, Second World War and Jewish East End Walk
Details: Sunday 31st January – 10am ‘til 12.15pm
Start: Meet at Aldgate tube
A walk led by East End expert, and registered Corporation of London walking guide, Clive Bettington. The walk will cover the Battle of Cable Street and will feature stories and history of related individuals and landmarks. The walk will end at the Mile End Genesis, in time for the film screening. The walk is free. To reserve a place email clivebettington@lineone.net or call 07941 367 882.
The Holocaust, Second World War and Jewish East End Virtual Walk
Details: From 5th February
Venue: Free download from www.jeecs.org.uk
A guided walk will be available for download from www.jeecs.org.uk, narrated by East End expert, and registered Corporation of London walking guide, Clive Bettington. The walk will cover the Battle of Cable Street and will feature stories and history of related individuals and landmarks.
Information on all the events will be posted on www.jeecs.org.uk
‘Faith in Daily Life’ photography competition – 24.08.09
The ‘Faith in Daily Life’ photography competition was a chance to explore what faith means for our residents.
The pictures taken will be used in the Council’s new Religion and Belief Equality Scheme published in April 2009
Standing Advisory Council on Religious Education (S.A.C.R.E) 2009
Go to resourses section for more information
Holocaust Memorial Day 2009
The theme of HMD 2009 is “Stand Up to Hatred.” Events include:
- A walk led by East End expert,
- Special film screening of “The Relief of Belsen”
- Tower Hamlets HMD Interfaith Commemoration
- Addresses from local groups
- Yiddisher Kunst (Jewish Art) Exhibition
Event dates 25th – 29th January
A little Book of Faith 2009
Following the popularity of the Tower Hamlets Inter Faith Calendar, Tower Hamlets Inter Faith Forum set out to map public places of worship of all the major faiths in the borough. The result is our first ever Tower Hamlets Inter Faith Map.
Explore faith through their places of worship. It provides the user with basic information about each place of worship‚ its name, address, location and contact information. It also flags places that serve as locations for the reporting of faith hate crimes.
This information is shared with the Faith Directory.
Crossing the road 2008
A free course in story-telling for women from different backgrounds and traditions.
To find information about Inter Faith projects email info@faithintowerhamlets.com or phone 020 7426 5051.
Tower Hamlets Inter Faith Week November 2008
A week of events celebrating the diversity of Faiths in Tower Hamlets. Chair of the Tower Hamlets Interfaith Forum, Reverend Alan Green, said: “Inter Faith Week is an exciting opportunity to celebrate the diversity of the many faith groups living together in Tower Hamlets, and to acknowledge the contributions they make to the life of the whole community.”
London Week of Peace: Tower Hamlets ‘No Place for Hate’ September 2008
A week of events including a film, discussion event for young people and family peace run.
Inter Faith consultation at the East London Mosque 2007
Tower Hamlets Inter Faith Week November 2007
The Inter Faith week included:
- Screening of ‘Kundun’ which is based on the life and writings of Dalai Lama.
- Faith communities consultation workshop: what do we want our borough to look like in 2020?
- Faith Hate workshop: Exploring experiences and responses.
Holocaust Memorial Day (HMD) 2007
The Jewish East End Celebration Society, supported by the Borough of Tower Hamlets, organised a programme of events for Holocaust Memorial Day (HMD) 2007. All events listed were free, and open to the public. The theme of HMD 2007 is “The Dignity of Difference.”
Children ask – Faiths respond 2007
See drawings with an accompanying questions from 30 young artists.
Children from all over Tower Hamlets were asked to draw a cartoon-style picture demonstrating something of concern to them. The young artists were then asked to provide a question related to their image. These questions will be directed to faith leaders.
Schools Programme 2007
This initiative enables school visits involved mixed groups of community leaders representing different faiths. Trained volunteers visit classrooms and assemblies to help children develop a shared understanding of the common values of the different faith communities.
Opening Doors to Faith 2007
Tower Hamlets Inter Faith Week November 2006
A week of events celebrating the diversity of Faiths in Tower Hamlets.