Holocaust Memorial Day was marked in the East End with a wide range of events, culminating in the annual Interfaith Commemoration at the East London Central Synagogue in Nelson Street.

Before the Nelson Street event, Clive Bettington, JEECS chairman, led a walk on the theme of The East End and the Holocaust. Other events across the East End included an exhibition focused on “The Boys” – the young Holocaust survivors who found sanctuary in Britain – and a special film screening for local school pupils as well as general members of the public.

Leon Silver of the East London Central Synagogue, Nelson Street, led the Holocaust Memorial Day event.

This year’s theme was Don’t Stand By. The Nelson Street event, on Sunday January 24, three days before Holocaust Memorial Day itself, featured music, poetry, readings and reflections from a number of community leaders and guests from different faiths.

It was led by Leon Silver of the synagogue. Seven candles were lit in memory of all those who died and suffered in concentration camps.

Among those taking part were John Biggs, Mayor of Tower Hamlets, Chief Superintendent Andy Ewing, Borough Commander of the Metropolitan Police, Professor Maxwell Hutchinson, the architect who is working on the renovation of the synagogue, the Reverend Alan Green, Rector of St John on Bethnal Green, the Rev Michael Dunne, Roman Catholic Dean of Tower Hamlets, and Yiddish actor Barry Davis.

There were representatives from the Sikh, Hindu, Bahai, and Buddhist faiths, and from the Swadhinata Trust, which works to preserve and promote Bengali history and culture in a way somewhat akin to JEECS’s East End activities.

Poetry readings were provided by Clive Branson, Karen Gershon and Jerzy Ficowski, with musical interludes from Francesca Ter-Berg. 

The shofar was blown by special guest, Kindertransport survivor Henry Glanz. 

                                                                                    Photographs by Philip Maltman

Just some of those taking part, including (3rd from right) Stephanie Maltman of JEECS, one of the prime organisers

Professor Maxwell Hutchinson, the architect who is working on plans to save Nelson Street

                              John Biggs, Mayor of Tower Hamlets

  Chief Superintendent Andy Ewing, Borough Commander of the Metropolitan police

                     The Reverend Alan Green, Rector of St John on Bethnal Green

Francesca Ter-Berg provided musical interludes

Photographs by Philip Maltman