'Lessons to learn' says Bucks Rabbi as Holocaust commemorations take place
Events will be held today across Bucks Beds and Herts to remember the millions of lives lost
Last updated 2nd Nov 2024
Today marks the 19th official commemoration of the Holocaust, where the lives of six millions Jews were lost to one of the biggest genocides in history.
Rabbi representing the Jewish community of South Buckinghamshire, Neil Janes, said: "Jews have been welcomed in Buckinghamshire, Jews were evacuated, Jews were refugees in Buckinghamshire."
"But we feel at home here and many of us are descendants of people who were survivors of the Holocaust."
"We have lessons to learn when we say as a country 'never again', and to commit to remembering..."
With the current international climate, Rabbi Neil Janes believes it to be more important than ever to stand together for peace and against discrimination and hatred.
He said: "We have lessons to learn when we say as a country 'never again', and to commit to remembering. It's important that we do that commemoration civically and as a country."
"I myself am the grandchild of someone who escaped from Munich."
On this Holocaust Memorial Day, schools, councils and communities will come together regardless of faith.
"It's not just about remembrance, obviously that's an important part of it, but it's also about how I take these lessons into my life, how I treat the people who are different to me..."
"At the civic level and local community level, uniformed group like the scouts, schools I know will be observing Holocaust Memorial Day and it's very very important that we engage with lessons."
"It's not just about remembrance, obviously that's an important part of it, but it's also about how I take these lessons into my life, how I treat the people who are different to me regardless of race or religion", added Rabbi Neil Janes.
A series of events will be observed quietly throughout the three counties, with a handful of public events, including one in Buckingham.