Mayor and Assembly hold City Hall service ahead of Holocaust Memorial Day

The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, and Chair of the London Assembly, Dr Onkar Sahota AM, have today welcomed Jewish community leaders and Holocaust and genocide survivors to City Hall for a service to commemorate Holocaust Memorial Day.

This year’s service – the first to take place in City Hall’s new location at the Royal Docks – remembered the survivors and victims of the Holocaust as well as those affected by other genocides, in collaboration with the Holocaust Educational Trust and the Holocaust Memorial Day Trust.

The theme was ‘Ordinary People’, reflecting on the fact that ordinary citizens were involved in all aspects of the Holocaust and subsequent genocides.

The ceremony included speeches by the Mayor, Chair of the London Assembly, Chief Executive of the Holocaust Memorial Day Trust, Olivia Marks-Woldman OBE, and Chief Executive of the Holocaust Educational Trust, Karen Pollock CBE. It also featured personal testimonies from Holocaust survivor Joan Salter MBE and Rwandan genocide survivor Antoinette Mutabazi, as well as reflections from Holocaust Educational Trust Ambassadors who will deliver the Holocaust Memorial Day Statement of Commitment.

The El Male Rachamim memorial prayer was read by Rabbi Epstein and Rebbetzin Ilana Epstein of the Western Marble Arch Synagogue. Musical performances by Francesca Ter-Berg and Anna Lowenstein on behalf of the Jewish Music Institute opened and concluded the service.

The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, said: “I was honoured to welcome community leaders and survivors to City Hall to mark the forthcoming Holocaust Memorial Day. It is incredibly important to remember the Holocaust and other genocides to ensure that such atrocities are not repeated, and it serves as a reminder of the dangers of hatred and intolerance. This year’s theme, ‘Ordinary People’, encourages us to reflect on the fact that both the perpetrators and victims of this shameful chapter of human history were ordinary citizens, and reinforces our resolve to never become complacent in the face of growing divisions in our society.”

Chair of the London Assembly, Dr Onkar Sahota AM said: “Holocaust Memorial Day gives us all the chance to remember both the victims and the survivors of one of the most horrific crimes against humanity. It is essential that we continue to commemorate those who suffered, to ensure future generations are aware of the history faced by so many. It is truly a humbling experience to hear real life stories from survivors of the Holocaust and other genocides. The theme for this year’s Holocaust Memorial Day - ‘Ordinary People’ - is particularly poignant as it highlights the fact that everyday people were involved in the Holocaust and other genocides across the world. We come together with the hope that no one is subjected to the pain and suffering that genocide brings now, or in the future.”

Karen Pollock CBE, chief executive of the Holocaust Educational Trust, said: “We are proud to support City Hall in marking Holocaust Memorial Day 2023. Building on previous successful events over many years, this commemoration provides an opportunity for London to stop, come together and remember the six million Jewish men, women and children who were murdered during the Holocaust by the Nazis and their collaborators. As the number of Holocaust survivors amongst us dwindles, we must seize all opportunities to hear their voices and to remember their testimonies, so that we might learn from the horrors of the past and call out antisemitism and hatred wherever we see it.”

Olivia Marks-Woldman, chief executive of the Holocaust Memorial Day Trust, said: ‘I’m delighted that the Greater London Authority is once again marking Holocaust Memorial Day at City Hall. The theme of Holocaust Memorial Day this year is Ordinary People and as we gather in our communities, across boundaries of faith, age and ethnicity, we must learn from genocide – for a better future. It was very moving to hear from Holocaust survivor Joan Salter and Rwanda genocide survivor Antoinette Mutabazi. These are two amazing women and their testimonies bring to life the experiences of those who endured genocide. We owe it to those who were murdered, and those who survived, and even future generations - to keep the memory of the Holocaust and genocide alive. We also owe it to ourselves to keep the memory alive - our humanity is diminished when we allow prejudice to take root.”