Holocaust Memorial Day Service

January 17, 2017 by Southend Borough Council

Southend-on-Sea Borough Council will be paying tribute to all those who lost their lives or loved ones throughout the Holocaust and other more recent genocides during Holocaust Memorial Day.

A series of events will take place including exhibitions of “Testimonies from Kristallnacht”, “Absence and Loss Holocaust Memorials in Berlin and Beyond”, and “Drawings from Darfur” all works are currently displayed at The Forum, in Elmer Square, Southend-on-Sea. These works will be exhibited until Thursday 26th January when they will be moved to the Civic Centre.

A commemoration service will be held on Thursday 26th January at the Civic Centre at 6pm with doors open at 5.30pm. The service will feature music, reflections, poetry reading and displays by Leigh North Street Primary School. All are welcome to attend this free event and guests are invited to arrive early to view the exhibitions.

A special tribute has also been placed in the commemoration programme to Otto Deutsch who died recently aged 88. Otto was a well-known Kindertransport survivor who lived in Southend-on-Sea and spent much of his life educating youngsters about the Holocaust.

There will also be a personal address by Holocaust Survivor Dr Martin Stern, a retired Clinical immunologist who worked at the University Hospital of Leicester. Dr Stern was born in 1938 and lived in Holland. As a child he was transported with his one year old sister to the Westerbork prison camp in Netherlands, and then to Theresienstadt camp north of Prague.

On Friday 27th the Worshipful the Mayor Councillor Judith McMahon will lead a tree planting ceremony in memory of those who have perished in genocides and their families. The ceremony will take place at midday in Southchurch Hall Gardens, Park Lane, all are welcome to attend.

Cllr Andrew Moring Executive Councillor for Corporate & Community Support Services said: “Holocaust Memorial Day is a significant nationally recognised day on which we pay tribute and remember loved ones lost and their families who have suffered in genocides throughout the world.

“To do our utmost to prevent such things ever happening again, it is fundamental that we remember and offer everyone the opportunity to learn and understand the horrifying consequences of the Holocaust and other genocides.

“The Council plays a vital role in commemorating this day to highlight its importance to all our residents and visitors with a variety of events and exhibitions including the personal testimony of Holocaust survivor Dr Martin Stern during The Councils commemoration service.