Holocaust Memorial Day

Survivors, Liberation & Rebuilding Lives

This year's commemoration, the second civic recognition of the Holocaust, contained a wide variety of observations and experiences. The worshipful mayor (check title? name?) observed that survivors of the WWII Holocaust are at present worried about societal attitudes to refugees.

Chana Moshenka, of Sussex University , introduced Bryan Huberman, the son of Alfred Huberman, a survivor living in Hove . Alfred had been invited by the Queen to the national commemoration and was unable to be with us on the night, but Bryan was very able at giving an account of some of his father's experiences and loss, and of his own feelings of loss and mourning. He was without all the extended family that should have been there for him while he was growing up. He spoke of his visit with other members of his family to the concentration camp at Auschwitz , and of how he had never realised the extent of human misery inflicted upon his people.

Dr. Carol Fox, of the University of Brighton, spoke about the importance of 'educating the educators,' that very few of those she is training as teachers have had exposure to the events and consequences of the Holocaust. She gave a variety of recommended literature for children, such as 'Waiting for Anya' and the poems, stories and artwork of the children of Taratzin, among a myriad of others.

Rabbi Elisabeth Tikvah Sarah, of the Brighton & Hove Progressive Synagogue, spoke a little about the 1905 legislation regarding 'undesirable aliens' as being directed against Russian Jews seeking a place of refuge in Britain, and went on the speak of the importance of learning from the past for the sake of the future.

Linda Belands, of B&H city council, and Tim Dowling, of the Sussex Refugee Association, spoke of issues facing today's refugees, particularly in Brighton & Hove.

Dr. Habib of the Sudanese Coptic Association, spoke of some of the troubles facing his community. He spoke of those who had gone 'beyond the sun,' a Sudanese term for those who have been 'disappeared' by the Sudanese government, and of the fear many refugees have faced in their home country. Their main objective has been to find a place of safety for themselves and their families, for freedom of religion, democracy,  and freedom of speech.

The Venerable Douglas McKittrick, Archdeacon of Chichester, opened and closed the evening, with some closing remarks by Ken Bodfish, leader of the council.

Refreshments, music by The Matzos, a local Klexmer band, and an opportunity to share thoughts with each other, followed the talks.