National Memorial
The Dell, is the name of an open air area in Hyde Park in Central London, where the UK National Memorial to the Holocaust is sited. It was inaugurated in the 1980's, through the initiative of the Board of Deputies.
The Memorial stone is in the Holocaust Memorial Garden, being at the westerly end of the Serpentine Lake.
Remembrance Ceremony 2011
Details for the Remembrance Ceremony in 2011 will follow.
"OFF TO A BLAZING GOOD START"
The sun shone brightly in Hyde Park on Sunday 11th April, at London's centrepiece ceremony of the new campaign to increase awareness and commemoration of Yom HaShoah, being the Annual Jewish Remembrance Day for Victims of the Holocaust.
Initiated by the 'Forum for Yom HaShoah', comprising 25 UK organisations involved in Holocaust education, awareness and remembrance activities and Survivor, Refugee and Ex-Service personnel welfare, and working with the Board of Deputies of British Jews, this first year of a 5 year intensive campaign, drew Londoners in their hundreds to the Holocaust Memorial Gardens at the Dell, in Hyde Park. Most were attending to see for the first time, the only UK national memorial to the Holocaust, endowed nearly 25 years ago, but only in recent years re-established on a symbolic level, for the Annual Commemoration event.
The very moving and emotional 55 minute ceremony, led by Henry Grunwald, was attended by the Chief Rabbi and the heads of the other main religious organisations, who each asked Survivors and their children, grandchildren and even great-grandchildren, to light one of the 6 symbolic candles to remember the Victims of this unique tragedy.
Moving tributes were given by H.E. the Israeli Ambassador and the President of the Board of Deputies. The Chief Rabbi gave his Reflections on Yom HaShoah and Ben Helfgott on behalf of the Warsaw Ghetto fighters, Sir Erich Reich on behalf of Refugees and Zenka Husserl on behalf of Hidden Children spoke of their own and others' tragic experiences and bravery.
The service was led by Rabbi Barry Marcus and Chazan Leas, singing with the Choir of the Central Synagogue, added inspiration for the message of hope for the future.
Throughout the country, similar Commemoration services were held and Synagogues marked the preceding Shabbat with special prayers for the Victims; with Rabbi's sermons explaining the vital importance of this annual commemoration and the message of hope it must give for the future; and with Survivors and Refugees attending being given special recognition. Jewish cemeteries in London and the provinces brought the commemoration of Yom HaShaoh to the attention of visitors and asked them to pay their respects at the Holocaust Memorials.
Many other commemorations and activities took place on Sunday and during the week throughout the country. One of the most poignant of the Forum group events, was a special Holocaust exhibition to mark the re-opening of the Jewish Museum in London, which was attended by very many Survivors.
This campaign will continue and expand over the next 4 years, in which Yom HaShoah uniquely falls on a Sunday in 3 of them, to attempt to imprint this annual commemoration in its rightful place in the Jewish Community's awareness.
