This year Holocaust Memorial Day on Monday 27 January marked the 80th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau, the largest Nazi death camp. A very moving and well-attended service took place in Truro Cathedral on that day under the theme ‘For A Better Future’. As always, Kehillat Kernow took a major part in the service and a good number of members attended. A video of the 1 hour event is available here: https://youtu.be/o0tJ-TQewno . A huge thank you to KK member Helen Moreland who made the official recording of the event.
‘All That Remains’ video at 2:00 min, conversation with Cynthia Hollinsworth and Bernie Graham at 4: 45min, students from Truro School at 20:00min, Jeremy Jacobson speaking followed by Paul Kleiman reciting El Malei Rachamim at 26:35, Naeem Ahmed at 43:40.
Before the candle lighting ceremony, those attending had an opportunity to visit stalls and exhibits created by community groups that represent people who have faced prejudice or persecution.
Following an introduction from Canon Alan Bashforth, there was a short video titled ‘From All That Remains’. That was followed by conversations with KK member Cynthia Hollinsworth and Bernie Graham who both spoke movingly, passionately and courageously about their families’ experiences during and after the Holocaust. Cynthia was also interviewed on BBC Radio Cornwall and on the BBC’s Spotlight TV programme which covers the South West.
Students from Truro School provided the music for the event and also read poems and some reflections on those poems. Then Jeremy Jacobson, the Chair of Kehillat Kernow spoke and that was followed by an emotional rendition of El Malei Rachamim – the Hebrew memorial prayer – sung by KK member Paul Kleiman.
Naeem Ahmad, representing the Muslim Community spoke movingly from the heart and without notes. After short speeches from representatives of the church and the police and a short pre-recorded video message from the TV personality Rob Rinder, whose grandfather was a Holocaust survivor, there was a candle lighting ceremony.
