Holocaust Memorial Day – Bridging Generations

The Senior School came together for a powerful Holocaust Memorial Day assembly, reflecting on this year’s theme, Bridging Generations.

We were honoured to hear Mrs Selouk share the story of her grandmother, Gittel – how she fled Nazi-invaded Poland to Soviet occupied Ukraine and was then deported to a Siberian Gulag. These stories are key in reminding students that history is not distant or abstract but lived and carried forward through families and generations. Her testimony brought home the importance of listening to those stories while we still can.

Mr Sykes encouraged students to consider the vital role of education and reconciliation, inviting them to reflect on other moments in history where communities have faced targeted persecution.

The assembly was thoughtfully concluded by the co-chairs of the Jewish Society, who led a prayer in both Hebrew and English. This was a moment that encouraged quiet reflection and respect.

This assembly helped students reflect on the responsibility this generation holds – to remember, to learn and to challenge prejudice and hatred wherever it appears. By bridging generations through stories and reflection, we ensure that the voices of the past continue to guide the choices we make today.

Written by Mrs Monia Zahid, Head of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion