Holocaust Memorial Day

Helen Tatlock, Head of History, led a poignant Meeting for Worship today as we reflected on Holocaust Memorial Day. Students and staff spent time together remembering families torn apart and millions of people murdered during the Holocaust under Nazi Persecution and in the genocides which followed in Cambodia, Rwanda, Bosnia and Darfur.

The theme for this year’s memorial day is ‘One Day’ which Helen expanded upon to share the stories of those whose lives have been so deeply affected.

Reflecting the concept of one day at a time, Iby Knill, survivor of the Holocaust explained, “You didn’t think about yesterday, and tomorrow may not happen, it was only today that you had to cope with and you got through it as best you could. “

For Franziska Schwarz Mikus there was one day when her life changed forever as she was sterilised by the Nazis because she was deaf. The Nazis believed that disabled people were imperfect and worthless. On that One Day, the Nazis took control of Franziska’s body and of her life choices.

Elie Wiesel Night has shared, “Those who were targeted and persecuted held out for the One Day in the future when all their suffering would be over, hoping they would ‘all see the day of liberation” with the hope that One Day there would be change.

Helen encouraged the community to consider what actions we could take as individuals and collectively to speak out when we see injustices, prejudices and identity-based violence in accord with the Quaker values of the School.

Paul Parker, Recording Clerk for Quakers in Britain urges: “Where there is hatred, we must sow the seeds of love, reconciliation and peace.”