Holocaust Memorial Day (HMD) is an important occasion to remember and reflect on the horrors of the Holocaust and the lessons it teaches us about prejudice, discrimination and the need for tolerance in society. At Habs Boys’ School we marked this significant day with a thought-provoking student-led assembly with staff contributions, centred around this year’s theme – For a Better Future.

The assembly provided a powerful platform for students to engage with history in a personal and meaningful way. Through the sharing of personal accounts and family stories, students demonstrated the enduring relevance of Holocaust remembrance in current times. Their words served as a stern reminder that memory is not just about recalling the past but about informing the present and shaping the future.

A call for inclusivity in remembrance

During the assembly Mr Brennan highlighted the importance of acknowledging the full extent of Nazi persecution. He reminded us that while the Holocaust primarily refers to the systematic extermination of European Jewry, the Nazis also targeted other communities they deemed racially and socially inferior. Mr Brennan explained:

“While it is important to acknowledge that the term Holocaust refers specifically to atrocities committed against European Jewry both the Holocaust Educational Trust and Holocaust Memorial Day recognise the importance of acknowledging the other groups deemed racially and socially inferior by the Nazis who also experienced horrific and violent persecution including Roma and Sinti people, Black people, members of the LGBTQ+ community, people with disabilities and Jehovah’s Witnesses. It is important that we recognise the suffering of each victim and each community to which they belonged in their own terms to properly preserve their memory and understand their history.”

These words resonate strongly with the theme this year. Remembering the past is not just about solemn reflection – it is about ensuring that every victim is acknowledged and learning from their suffering to build a more inclusive future.

The Jewish Society (JSoc), then continued the opportunity for students to learn, share experiences and feelings by hosting a lunchtime session. Anyone could attend to share their thoughts, or simply listen to expand their understanding and knowledge, providing a safe space for students to connect, contributing to that all important better future.

The testimony of a Holocaust Survivor

We were honoured to welcome Holocaust survivor, Hedi Argent MBE, to our school. Hedi’s testimony gave students an invaluable first-hand perspective on the atrocities of the Holocaust and reinforced the importance of remembrance. Jonathan (SFC3) contacted the Holocaust Educational Trust to organise Hedi’s visit and shared his thoughts of the day:

“On 28 January, our school had the privilege of welcoming Hedi Argent MBE to share her own testimony and that of her family with us students and staff. Her talk was truly inspiring to every person in the room, and I have no doubt that her words will leave a lasting impact on us all for years to come.

Our generation is so fortunate to be able to hear first-hand from survivors, so that they can pass on their story and the stories of others who perished in the Holocaust. This way, we can honour the memory of just some of the six million who perished, just like the memory of Bubi, Hedi’s cousin who perished two days after being liberated from Gusen concentration camp in Mauthausen.

It is certainly difficult to wrap your head around the number six million. I found one of the most striking parts of Hedi’s talk was an attempt to visualise this number. While the entire audience was stood, Hedi told us that if we were to hold a minute’s silence for every Jewish man, woman and child who perished in the Holocaust, we would have been stood in silence in that assembly hall for eleven years and four months.

It is so important for us to understand Hedi’s message, which is just as relevant today as it was eighty years ago, because as she put it, the Holocaust didn’t start with concentration camps, but with words and names, which fuels separation – the ostracization of ‘them’ from ‘us’, a recurring theme in every suppression of minorities in history.

Through Hedi’s testimony, we can all learn about the raw experiences of the Holocaust, as we must face the truth, rather than turning away in shame. Our generation has a duty to make sure that these stories are never forgotten, even when there aren’t any more survivors around to share their own stories, so that no one can ever deny what happened, and the events which took place under the Nazi regime can never happen again.

A special thanks to the Holocaust Education Trust for connecting us with Hedi, and thank you also to Hedi’s companion, Charlotte for her support and contribution to the talk.”

At Habs Boys’ School, Holocaust Memorial Day was not just a moment of remembrance but a reaffirmation of our commitment to inclusivity, empathy and education. As we move forward, we carry with us the stories of those who suffered and perished ensuring that their memory fuels our efforts in shaping a better future for everyone.

Senior school assembly
Senior school assembly
Habs Boys and Girls joint JSOC gathering
Hedi Argent - Holocaust Survivor
Hedi Argent - Holocaust Survivor
Hedi Argent - Holocaust Survivor