Join us in Remembrance on Holocaust Memorial Day

An act of remembrance for those who died in the Holocaust and subsequent genocides will be held online on Wednesday 27 January at 6.30pm.

Holocaust Memorial Day (HMD) takes place on 27 January each year and is a time to remember the millions of people murdered during the Holocaust, under Nazi Persecution and in the genocides which followed in Cambodia, Rwanda, Bosnia and Darfur.

Members of Cheltenham Hebrew Congregation, Three Counties Liberal Jewish Community, Cheltenham Borough Council and Stroud District Council invite you to join them online for the 2021 act of remembrance.

The evening will be led by Dame Janet Trotter and will include prayers and readings (both in English and Hebrew), poems, music, and reflections.

The theme for HMD 2021 is 'Be the light in the darkness'. It encourages everyone to reflect on the depths humanity can sink to, but also the ways individuals and communities resisted that darkness to ‘be the light’ before, during and after genocide.

We can all stand in solidarity. We can choose to be the light in the darkness in a variety of ways and places – at home, in public, and online.

To register for the event and reserve your space please visit Eventbrite. Log in details for the online remembrance will be sent out closer to the date.

Jennifer Silverston from the Cheltenham Hebrew Congregation said: “During this challenging time of COVID 19 may our Act of Remembrance bring us together, in mutual respect, to remember, reflect and learn. May we always challenge and reject prejudice, hate and victimization.”

Natalie Towle, Chair of Three Counties Liberal Jewish Community added: “This event will be different in one way in that we will be meeting virtually, but in every other way it remains the same- a time to reflect on the atrocities of the past and to renew our endeavours to challenge stereotyping, reject discrimination and encourage diversity.”

Rowena Hay, Leader of Cheltenham Borough Council said: “We are pleased to be able to bring this remembrance event online this year in order that we can continue working together with the Cheltenham Hebrew Congregation and Three Counties Liberal Jewish Community to mark Holocaust Memorial Day in Cheltenham and to remember all of the genocides that have impacted on our communities.”

Doina Cornell, Leader of Stroud District Council said: “I am pleased this year that we are joining with the Cheltenham community in this act of remembrance. Sadly there is still hatred and intolerance in our world, so it is up to all of us to take a stand and remember the atrocities of the past, so these crimes never happen again.”

Everyone is welcome to attend but please reserve your space on Eventbrite by 10am, Wednesday 27 January.