“Clacton Commemorates: A Heartfelt Holocaust Memorial Gathering”

Tendring District Council (TDC) will conduct a Holocaust memorial ceremony in Clacton later this month.

This Holocaust Memorial Day commemorates the 80th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau – the largest Nazi concentration and extermination facility – and the 30th anniversary of the genocide in Bosnia.

The theme for this year – established by the Holocaust Memorial Day Trust – is For a Better Future. This encourages individuals throughout the UK to educate themselves about the Holocaust and more contemporary genocides, to help identify warning signs and foster a more inclusive future that combats prejudice.

Harvey Newman from the Colchester and District Jewish Community will officiate the service and will be accompanied by TDC Chairman Dan Casey on Monday, 27 January from 11am to 11.30am at the Sunken Rose Garden on Marine Parade West.

Councillor Casey remarked: “This ceremony offers a moment of contemplation to honor the six million Jews who were slain during the Holocaust and the countless individuals who were killed due to Nazi persecution and in later genocides in Bosnia, Cambodia, Darfur, Rwanda, and the Yazidi genocide.

“Holocaust Memorial Day is vital because genocide continues to take place. Across the globe, innocent individuals still endure discrimination, persecution, and violence due to their race, faith, gender, or sexual orientation. This day serves as a reminder for us to unite against acts of genocide, no matter where they might occur.

“Holocaust Memorial Day is inclusive for all. We generally have representatives from a variety of religious communities who join us to pay their respects, and we anticipate that happening once more.”

This service will mark the inaugural observance of the Holocaust Memorial Stone since its installation last September – arranged by the Colchester and District Jewish Community Synagogue – to honor the victims of the Holocaust.

For those unable to be present, TDC intends to stream the service live on the Tendring District Council Facebook page.

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