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National Holocaust Memorial Day commemorated
The Royal Borough of Kingston upon Thames and the Kingston Inter Faith Forum commemorated National Holocaust Memorial Day in a morning programme of remembrance. This included a tree planting and dedication and a talk from Marcel Ladenheim, a Holocaust survivor. The Interfaith Forum also gave a presentation of photographs taken by their members who visited Auschwitz in July 2005.
Rabbi Danny Rich, Chair of the Inter Faith Forum and Rabbi David Mason of the Orthodox Jewish Community were joined by the Mayor, Councillor Yogan Yonanathan, and the Mayoress, Mrs Saro Yoganathan and the Deputy Leader of Kingston Council, Councillor Barry O’Mahoney, in Memorial Gardens, Kingston for the tree planting and dedication. All gave speeches to those who had gathered in remembrance.
The Mayor, Councillor Yogan Yoganathan opened the ceremony remembering the persecution of the Jews and others during World War 2 and those still targeted today because of a difference in culture and faith.
Rabbi Danny Rich commented that; “The Interfaith Forum’s participation in Holocaust Memorial Day is a chance to remind ourselves what can happen when we sacrifice our common humanity and decency on the altars of prejudice, xenophobia and discrimination – or indeed when we turn away or remain silent in the face of such.”
Rabbi David Mason explained the significance of the tree planting; “This tree will be a constant reminder of the base levels that man can reach. The selection of a beech tree was particularly significant because Buchenwald (the name of one of the Concentration Camps in Germany) means beech wood in English.
Deputy Leader of the Council, Barry O’Mahoney explained that the choice of theme for this year’s National Holocaust Memorial Day ‘One Person can Make a difference’ was selected for its message that spans all communities. He asked those gathered to also consider the position of other groups such as asylum seekers in today’s society.
Following the tree planting and dedication ceremony Marcel Ladenheim, a local resident gave a moving account of his own experiences in France during the Holocaust.
For further information on the Inter Faith Forum contact Marian Morrison, Democratic Support Officer on 020 8547 5062.