Holocaust Memorial Day

Holocaust Memorial Day (HMD) takes place every year on 27^th January.

This date marks the anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau, the largest Nazi death camp. In the words of the Holocaust Memorial Day Trust, HMD encourages remembrance in a world scarred by genocide. This Holocaust Memorial Day marks the 80^th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau and the 30^th anniversary of the genocide in Bosnia.

80 years on, antisemitism (anti-Jewish hatred) has increased significantly in the UK and globally particularly following the 7^th October attacks in Israel by Hamas and the subsequent war in Gaza. Many Jewish communities globally are feeling vulnerable, with violence, hostility and intolerance on the rise. The theme for HMD 2025 is ‘For a Better Future’ and we hope that this will be an opportunity for people to come together, learn both from and about the past and take actions to make a better future for all.

There are many things we can all do to create a better future. We can speak up against Holocaust and genocide denial and distortion; we can challenge prejudice; we can encourage others to learn about the Holocaust and more recent genocides. There are some practical suggestions here: https://www.hmd.org.uk/resource/take-action-for-a-better-future/