27/01/2024
Today is World Holocaust Memorial Day, and more than ever we need Holocaust education.
There is much I could add - the frightening global rise of open antisemitism, the awful trauma experienced by Jews since Oct 7th layered upon this collective historical trauma, the denial of atrocities, the propaganda that led to the vilification and then extermination of 6 million Jews, the question I have always asked myself - what would I have done? the stories of Holocaust survivors of which I am most deeply connected to two - Adam & Alicia Melamed Adams, to whom I gave a promise that I would not let their story be forgotten.... so. many. individual. stories.
I began writing this with tears. We have arrived at a point in history where we all will be asked to answer the question - 'what will I do?'
I am posting a page from my grandmothers passport - she stood, a diminishing Jewish woman, hiding her identity before a N**i soldier in order to escape Europe, and made her way somehow to the UK, where she chose to fight. Without her courage and sacrifice I would not be here, nor would her huge wonderful family of descendants (none of whom she knew - including her only child). If I need an example to dig deep, she and a multitude of others provide it.
I have also included a link to a memorial page I created to remember each member of my mothers family who were murdered. There are more names to add. These are the ones I have recovered so far..
https://www.fragmentsthatremain.co.uk/shoah-names
