Communities across Hertfordshire have come together to mark Holocaust Memorial Day and, by remembering, to pledge together that history never repeats itself.

The theme for this year is ‘Bridging Generations’ – a call to action and a reminder that responsibility of remembrance doesn’t end with survivors but lives on through their descendants and all of us.

Events have been held across Hertsmere, Stevenage, East Herts and St Albans, as well as a virtual meeting on January 26 run by Herts Inter Faith Forum and Hertfordshire County Council. Hertfordshire Library Service ran book displays at Stevenage Central, Borehamwood, Radlett, Royston and Baldock sites until 31 January.

The events included:

• January 22 – East Herts Council ran a memorial ceremony where events of the past were recounted and family memories were explored between six different speakers. Attended by Chairman Laurence Brass, Rabbi Meni Sofer, Nicholas Buxton - High Sheriff of Hertfordshire, Robert Voss CBE - Lord Lieutenant of Hertfordshire, Organiser Jonathan Kaye, Josh Dean - MP for Hertford and Stortford, Cllr Martin Adams, Chairman - East Herts Council, Rabbi Irit Shillor, Bors Farago - Richard Hale School, Maisie Crow and Millie Prudames - Simon Balle School and Chris Hinchliffe - MP for North East Hertfordshire.
• January 26 – Herts Inter Faith Forum and Hertfordshire County Council ran a virtual event to remember those lost during the Holocaust and subsequent genocides, sharing stories to keep memory alive and pass down the lessons learnt.
• January 27 – Hertsmere Borough Council ran an event attended by Chairman Laurence Brass with a lantern procession and an event led by the Mayor Cllr Alpha Bird Collins. Councillors, faith leaders, dignitaries and community representatives heard from Maralyn Turgel, a respected speaker for Generation2Generation who shared the story of her late father Sam Gardner’s experiences during the war and in concentration camps.
• January 27 – St Albans City and District Council ran an event attended by Vice Chair Sandy Walkington. The civic event was an occasion to remember the six million Jews murdered during the Holocaust, the millions of other persecuted people killed by the Nazis, and later genocides in Cambodia, Rwanda and elsewhere. Hosted by the Deputy Mayor of St Albans District, Councillor Sue Griffiths it was attended by Deputy Lieutenants Annie Brewster JP DL and Revd Patrick Moriarty, honoured guests, and religious and civic leaders.
• January 27 – Stevenage Borough Council ran an event attended by Honorary Alderman John Lloyd. It was hosted by the Mayor of Stevenage, Councillor Nazmin Chowdhury, at Daneshill House, attended by Deputy Lieutenant Sally Burton, High Sheriff Nicholas Buxton, Kevin Bonavia MP and Honorary Alderman John Lloyd. The event reflected this year’s theme, ‘Bridging Generations’, including a presentation by Debra Barnes (Generation2Generation speaker and author of The Young Survivors) on sharing survivors’ stories with new generations. The service concluded with prayers and memorial candle lighting led by Student Rabbi Shamash Mirviss-Vajal.

Mayor of Stevenage, Councillor Nazmin Chowdhury, said:

“Holocaust Memorial Day is a powerful reminder of the consequences of hatred, prejudice and indifference.

“This year’s theme, Bridging Generations, reminds us that remembrance does not end with those who lived through the Holocaust and other genocides. As survivors become fewer, it is our shared responsibility to listen, to learn, and to carry their stories forward – passing those lessons on to younger generations so they are never forgotten.

“In Stevenage, we come together to honour those who were murdered, to reflect on the lasting effect of genocide on families and communities, and to reaffirm our commitment to stand against discrimination in all its forms. By bridging generations, we can help build a safer, fairer and more inclusive future for everyone.”

The events come ahead of the launch of a programme next month in Hertfordshire that celebrates our shared identity and aims to strengthen the connections that bind us. Called Herts Together, it is a year-long initiative led by the Lord Lieutenant of Hertfordshire designed to bring people together through a wide range of projects, events and collaborations.

HM Lord Lieutenant of Hertfordshire, Robert Voss, said:

“There has never been a more important time to commemorate Holocaust Memorial Day - remembering the 6 million Jewish people murdered by the Nazis - including my own grandparents and 61 members of my immediate family. Also remembering the terrible events in Cambodia, Rwanda, Srebrenica and Darfur.

“With current rising antisemitism and other hate crimes on the increase it is imperative that we all come together and that is why Herts Together is such an important initiative with events running throughout the year.

“We need to show that Hertfordshire is united, and I hope that the people of this great county will come together and show their support for each other: ‘One County, Many Voices, Shared Future’”.

To find out more go to The Herts Together website.