January 27th 2024.
As we approach the 79th anniversary of the Holocaust, we are reminded of the atrocities that occurred during this dark chapter in history. Among the few remaining survivors is Janine Webber, a 91-year-old woman who continues to speak out against intolerance and persecution. Her voice serves as a poignant reminder of the fragility of freedom, especially in the face of current international conflicts.
Janine, who resides in north London, was just a young girl when the Nazis invaded her hometown of Lvov in Poland (now Lviv in western Ukraine). She narrowly escaped the tyranny that claimed the lives of her family, including her parents and little brother. As a Holocaust survivor, she knows firsthand the preciousness of freedom and the devastating consequences of its absence.
During World War Two, Janine had to hide her true identity and pretend to be someone else in order to survive. She was not free to live as a Jewish person, as her faith and culture were not accepted by the Nazis. It took her many years to fully embrace her true identity, and she lost most of her family in the process. But Janine refuses to let their voices be silenced. She fights for the freedom to live without fear and discrimination, and for the world to never forget the lessons of the past.
Through her work with the Holocaust Educational Trust, Janine shares her experiences with people from all walks of life. Her hope is that by educating others, they will speak out against discrimination and persecution wherever it may occur, so that the horrors of the Holocaust will never be repeated.
As we gather to remember the victims of the Holocaust on January 27th, we are faced with the harsh reality that antisemitism is still alive and well. The recent conflict in Israel-Palestine has sparked a sharp increase in hate crimes against Jewish people in London, with a 1,350% increase in the first three weeks of October 2023 alone. These alarming numbers serve as a stark reminder that the descent into mass murder is a gradual process, one that often begins with the restriction of freedoms.
Karen Pollock, the chief executive of the Holocaust Educational Trust, emphasizes the importance of learning from the past to prevent history from repeating itself. She reminds us that the Holocaust did not start with gas chambers, but with small acts of discrimination and hatred that were allowed to escalate. It is up to all of us to stand up against these injustices and honor the memory of those who lost their lives.
As we reflect on the past and pay tribute to the victims, we must also acknowledge the current struggles facing Holocaust survivors. They are once again facing a wave of anti-Jewish hatred, which Ms. Pollock describes as a “breakdown of society.” It is our duty to stand in solidarity with them and ensure that their experiences are never forgotten.
The Holocaust Memorial Day also serves as a reminder of other genocides that have occurred in recent history, from Cambodia to Rwanda, Bosnia, and Darfur. Each of these tragedies began with the curtailing of people's freedoms. It is a sobering reminder of the power and importance of individual liberty, mutual respect, and tolerance for those of different faiths and beliefs.
Tonight, people all over the UK will light candles in their windows to honor the victims of the Holocaust and other genocides. The commemoration also includes more than 10,000 activities to educate and remember, with a recorded video address from Prime Minister Rishi Sunak condemning the resurgence of antisemitism.
As we come together to remember, we must also look towards the future and continue to fight for a world where freedom and equality are not just ideals, but realities for all. Let us never forget the lessons of the past and the importance of standing up against hatred and discrimination in all its forms.
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