Remembering the Holocaust
Holocaust Memorial Day, 27th January 2023
Between 1941 and 1945, six million Jewish men, women, and children were murdered by the Nazis and their collaborators. The Nazis targeted anyone they believed threatened their ideal of a 'pure Aryan race', including Roma and Sinti people, disabled people, gay people, political opponents, and Jews.
Holocaust Memorial Day (HMD) encourages remembrance in a world scarred by genocide. This year, we're promoting and supporting Holocaust Memorial Day to remember the six million Jews murdered during the Holocaust, alongside the millions of other people killed under Nazi persecution of other groups and during more recent genocides in Cambodia, Rwanda, Bosnia and Darfur.
Genocide still occurs and must be resisted every day. Even in the UK, we still must challenge prejudice and the language of hatred. This means HMD is for everyone. It's an opportunity for us to learn more about the past and take action to create a safer future.
With the recent investigation into NUS' allegations of Antisemitism, we want to ensure all our students feel safe and supported on campus by their Students' Union. Jewish students have had a long history of discrimination and persecution, and we have an obligation to do all we can to prevent this.
There are many ways you can get involved with HMD and many resources you can use to learn about Jewish people's experiences during the second world war. Here are our top five suggestions:
Organise an HMD activity with your university or college
You could organise a film screening, get a group together for a poetry reading, or host a digital display of the Holocaust Memorial Day Trust's (HMDT) [Extra]Ordinary Portraits exhibition. HMDT has published a handy Get involved guide for colleges and universities to help you organise activities. If you organise one, don't forget to add it to HMDT's activity map.
Watch the HMD 2023 UK Online Commemoration
Join us and watch the HMD 2023 UK Online Commemoration for Holocaust Memorial Day online at 7pm, Thursday 26 January. You can register to watch it live (or view the recording at a later date) here.
Join the nation and #LightTheDarkness
At 4pm on Friday 27 January, join thousands across the country to Light the Darkness. Households across the UK will be lighting candles and putting them in their windows to:
• Remember those who were murdered simply for who they were
• Stand against prejudice, hatred, and discrimination today
You may want to light your candle in memory of someone murdered during the Holocaust or a recent genocide. You can read about individual life stories here.
Upload a photo of your candle on social media using the hashtags: #HolocaustMemorialDay and #LightTheDarkness
Learn about the experiences of people affected by the Holocaust through Ordinary Objects, Extraordinary Journeys
Explore this year's theme for HMD, Ordinary People, through the ORDINARY OBJECTS, EXTRAORDINARY JOURNEYS website. The immersive site provides a unique and interactive experience, exploring the experiences of four individuals affected by the Holocaust through objects that belonged to them. Retrace their steps and learn about their physical and emotional journeys during and after the Holocaust.
You can learn more about the Holocaust and HMB on the Holocaust Memorial Day website.
