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Havering honours victims of Holocaust at special service

Attendees brave the weather for the Holocaust Memorial Day service.
Published: Monday, 27 January 2020

Over 100 people turned out to mark Holocaust Memorial Day at a special service and reception on Sunday 26 January.

Organised by Havering Council and led by Reverend Lee Sunderland, Rabbi of Romford and District Synagogue, the service was held in Coronation Gardens, Main Road.

The theme for this year’s Holocaust Memorial Day is ‘Stand Together’.

The service gave people the opportunity to remember victims of the Holocaust, as well as subsequent genocides in Cambodia, Rwanda, Bosnia and Darfur. This year is particularly poignant, with the 75th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau and the 25th anniversary of the Genocide in Bosnia.

Also in attendance were representatives of the Council, Havering Police, the Royal British Legion and members of the borough’s Jewish community as well as interfaith speakers.

Following the service, a reception took place at Romford and District Affiliated Synagogue where B/Maj Elise Cirsch and CSM1 Lauren Cirsch gave a talk and presentation, followed by remarks from Andrew Rosindell MP. 

Mayor of Havering, Councillor Michael Deon Burton, said “This annual event is incredibly important. It allows us to pause and remember the millions of victims of the Holocaust and subsequent genocides in Cambodia, Rwanda, Bosnia and Darfur.

"It reminds us that we should take every opportunity to end discrimination and build bridges with people of all backgrounds. By sharing the memory of the millions murdered in genocides, we can stand together to challenge hatred and persecution in the UK today.” 

Holocaust Memorial Day takes place on 27 January 2020.