Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis with Deputy Commissioner Graig Mackey were amongst the guests of honour at this year’s Metropolitan Police Service Holocaust Memorial Day arranged and hosted by the Jewish Police Association. Held on Monday 28th January at the Peel Centre, Hendon, the theme for the event was ‘Communities Together – Build a Bridge’.

The event was attended by police officers and staff, representatives of other staff associations, the Lithuanian Ambassador, The Vice Consul from the Polish Embassy and community members. The childrens choir from Hasmonean Primary School participated on the day.

 Head Girl, Jessica Tray, and Head Boy, Jordan Rinsler, from Yavneh College in Borehamwood talked about their impressions of a trip to Poland. The Reverend Bernd Koschland described coming to the UK by KinderTransport.

Six candles were lit for the six million Jews who perished in the Holocaust, and a seventh candle for other victims of Nazi terror and for the other genocides commemorated by the Holocaust Memorial Day. Keynote speeches were made by Rabbi Mirvis of Finchley (Kinloss) Synagogue, who is soon to become Chief Rabbi, and Deputy Commissioner Mackey.

 

Deputy Commissioner Mackey said, “The testimony of Holocaust survivors is a bridge to the past, reminding us that evil still exists, and we must work to fight racism and bigotry.”

The Chair of the Jewish Police Association, Chief Inspector Mathew Shaer hosted the event and personally spoke about the Holocaust history of his own family as well thanking so many representatives for attending from other religious and race staff associations and representatives of the Lithuanian and Polish governments in the UK.

 

Rabbi Mirvis said, “We pray that all those affected by xenophobia and racism can fight it, and in the spirit of the day we should all resolve to stop the Holocaust happening again.”