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Barnet Council marks annual Holocaust Memorial Day with service at Middlesex University
Barnet Council marked Holocaust Memorial Day with an event on Sunday 23 January at Middlesex University bringing together the community in a service of remembrance.
Speakers included author Natalie Cumming who shared her story of the journey of a violin inherited from her father that was restored in an episode of BBC One’s programme, The Repair Shop.
The violin has been in her family since the time of the Bolsheviks, when her family had to flee to Russia, was played by Natalie’s aunt at Auschwitz and was passed to her father, a well-known musician who played it in famous hotels from London to Monte Carlo.
Also speaking at the service was Kurt Marx, a Holocaust survivor who escaped aged just 13, as one of over 10,000 children transported to Britain under the famous Kindertransport rescue programme.
Commenting on the event, Cllr Alison Cornelius said: “Holocaust Memorial Day reminds us of the atrocities of the past, and the effect that genocide and the Holocaust has had on individuals and families across the world and on those living in our borough.
“We are extremely fortunate now to live in a peaceful and democratic society where diversity strengthens and unites our communities. Today, as ever, is a special day in the borough that reminds us of the importance of unity, and understanding and that together, we are Barnet.”
Natalie Cumming, whose violin was played for the crowd by a student of the Yehudi Menuhin School, said: “I am honoured to have been able to share my story at the Holocaust Memorial Day event. It is essential that the world should never forget what happened in World War Two, and that these atrocities should never be allowed to happen again. By attending this and similar events, I can play a small part in reminding people, and the younger generation in particular, that we must learn to live together, with tolerance and respect towards each other’s religious and cultural views.”
Another speaker at the event was Rabbi Mark Goldsmith, Senior Rabbi for the Edgware and Hendon Reform Synagogue, who said: “It is highly significant to the large Jewish community of Barnet that year after year our we commemorate the Holocaust by this poignant open gathering in the university at the heart of the borough.
“I know that Holocaust survivors and their families, of which there are many thousands in our Barnet, are deeply moved by the act of remembrance and the people who attend it and participate in it. We also know that in our diverse borough we live among so many people who have experienced genocide within their communities, Rwandans, Bosnians, Armenians to name but a few and it is absolutely right that we commemorate our deep losses, and the loss to humanity together. This is one day to resolve every year that we will combat racism, disavow prejudice, and celebrate human diversity in our own society.”
There were also musical performances on the day from The London Cantorial Singers, The Edgware Hendon Reform Synagogue Choir, The Barnet Band, and at the end of the commemoration Snowdrops were handed out by students from Akiva School.
The bulbs were handed out as part of Barnet’s project to plant a snowdrop in memory of every one of the 1.5 million children who died in the Holocaust.
Barnet Council marks annual Holocaust Memorial Day with service at Middlesex University
Barnet Council marked Holocaust Memorial Day with an event on Sunday 23 January at Middlesex University bringing together the community in a service of remembrance.
Speakers included author Natalie Cumming who shared her story of the journey of a violin inherited from her father that was restored in an episode of BBC One’s programme, The Repair Shop.
The violin has been in her family since the time of the Bolsheviks, when her family had to flee to Russia, was played by Natalie’s aunt at Auschwitz and was passed to her father, a well-known musician who played it in famous hotels from London to Monte Carlo.
Also speaking at the service was Kurt Marx, a Holocaust survivor who escaped aged just 13, as one of over 10,000 children transported to Britain under the famous Kindertransport rescue programme.
Commenting on the event, Cllr Alison Cornelius said: “Holocaust Memorial Day reminds us of the atrocities of the past, and the effect that genocide and the Holocaust has had on individuals and families across the world and on those living in our borough.
“We are extremely fortunate now to live in a peaceful and democratic society where diversity strengthens and unites our communities. Today, as ever, is a special day in the borough that reminds us of the importance of unity, and understanding and that together, we are Barnet.”
Natalie Cumming, whose violin was played for the crowd by a student of the Yehudi Menuhin School, said: “I am honoured to have been able to share my story at the Holocaust Memorial Day event. It is essential that the world should never forget what happened in World War Two, and that these atrocities should never be allowed to happen again. By attending this and similar events, I can play a small part in reminding people, and the younger generation in particular, that we must learn to live together, with tolerance and respect towards each other’s religious and cultural views.”
Another speaker at the event was Rabbi Mark Goldsmith, Senior Rabbi for the Edgware and Hendon Reform Synagogue, who said: “It is highly significant to the large Jewish community of Barnet that year after year our we commemorate the Holocaust by this poignant open gathering in the university at the heart of the borough.
“I know that Holocaust survivors and their families, of which there are many thousands in our Barnet, are deeply moved by the act of remembrance and the people who attend it and participate in it. We also know that in our diverse borough we live among so many people who have experienced genocide within their communities, Rwandans, Bosnians, Armenians to name but a few and it is absolutely right that we commemorate our deep losses, and the loss to humanity together. This is one day to resolve every year that we will combat racism, disavow prejudice, and celebrate human diversity in our own society.”
There were also musical performances on the day from The London Cantorial Singers, The Edgware Hendon Reform Synagogue Choir, The Barnet Band, and at the end of the commemoration Snowdrops were handed out by students from Akiva School.
The bulbs were handed out as part of Barnet’s project to plant a snowdrop in memory of every one of the 1.5 million children who died in the Holocaust.
