We have began a new blog on a separate URL to mark our our own individual journey's that we have taken since Lessons from Auschwitz. This new blog will cover the basis of what we have been doing but what has been happening in the world around us as well as reflections.
The URL is as follows; http://ambassador-afterlessonsfromauschwitz.blogspot.co.uk/
Thank you for looking!
Sunday, 13 March 2016
Sunday, 31 January 2016
Holocaust Memorial Day 2016
This week we marked Holocaust Memorial Day and remembered those who perished under Nazi persecution however we also remember those who died in the subsequent genocides of Cambodia, Rwanda, Bosnia and Darfur. This year's theme was 'Don't stand by'; the Holocaust and other genocides took place because local populations allowed insidious persecution to take place. While others actively supported the persecution the majority stood by silently - at best, afraid to speak out; at worst indifferent. Today, we must stand and acknowledge our responsibilities, and tell others to act differently.
As Elie Wiesel stated about bystanders 'I swore never to be silent whenever and wherever human beings endure suffering and humiliation. We must always take sides. Neutrality helps the oppressor, never the victim. Silence encourages the tormentor, never the tormented.'
On the 27th January, we commemorate the victims, honour the survivors and commit to tackling prejudice, racism and discrimination today. We encourage countries to conquer genocide and atrocity and individuals to stand up against hatred. It our responsibility to remember those who died, otherwise they would have won, today's challenge is to make the words of the victims a meaningful part of our future.
An example of someone who didn't stand by was Sir Nicholas Winton, at the age of 29 Winton went to Prague to see the dire situation that was occurring in Europe. He realised he had to do something and rescue the children caught up in the atrocity. Nicholas gained permission if the government to bring children into the UK as long as he organised foster families and documents. Over the space of 9 months he rescued 699 children, the majority were Jewish. In response he simply stated 'Why are you making such a big deal out of it? I just helped a little; in the right place and the right time!'
Holocaust Memorial Day Website
As Elie Wiesel stated about bystanders 'I swore never to be silent whenever and wherever human beings endure suffering and humiliation. We must always take sides. Neutrality helps the oppressor, never the victim. Silence encourages the tormentor, never the tormented.'
On the 27th January, we commemorate the victims, honour the survivors and commit to tackling prejudice, racism and discrimination today. We encourage countries to conquer genocide and atrocity and individuals to stand up against hatred. It our responsibility to remember those who died, otherwise they would have won, today's challenge is to make the words of the victims a meaningful part of our future.
An example of someone who didn't stand by was Sir Nicholas Winton, at the age of 29 Winton went to Prague to see the dire situation that was occurring in Europe. He realised he had to do something and rescue the children caught up in the atrocity. Nicholas gained permission if the government to bring children into the UK as long as he organised foster families and documents. Over the space of 9 months he rescued 699 children, the majority were Jewish. In response he simply stated 'Why are you making such a big deal out of it? I just helped a little; in the right place and the right time!'
Holocaust Memorial Day Website
Monday, 28 December 2015
Holocaust Memorial Day 2016
As the 27th January fast approaches we turn our thoughts to Holocaust Memorial Day. The theme for this year is 'Don't Stand By' and focuses on the bystanders and the inaction of people and countries during the Holocaust as well as remembering the many people who perished.
As ambassadors for the Holocaust Educational Trust, we emphasise an element of importance on Holocaust Memorial Day and the importance of remembering such an event. As the last generation to hear first hand from survivors it is important to carry on the memory so events like this can never happen again.
We have many events and activities planned for the day and the week itself. We plan to follow our local commemorative event in our town. We also have numerous presentations and activities planned within our school and sixth form. In addition to this we hope to outreach to our local first school and help educate younger pupils in our community.
As ambassadors for the Holocaust Educational Trust, we emphasise an element of importance on Holocaust Memorial Day and the importance of remembering such an event. As the last generation to hear first hand from survivors it is important to carry on the memory so events like this can never happen again.
We have many events and activities planned for the day and the week itself. We plan to follow our local commemorative event in our town. We also have numerous presentations and activities planned within our school and sixth form. In addition to this we hope to outreach to our local first school and help educate younger pupils in our community.
Sunday, 11 October 2015
Remembering Auschwitz- Tudor Grange Review
As ambassadors our main role is to ensure that the Holocaust is not forgotten, in this we have been involved with events in our school. One of our key areas that we try and focus is in media; getting articles published through the local newspapers and social media.
In our sixth form we have a yearly review, in which this year we have had our activities as ambassadors mentioned. This review is important in showing what we have been doing throughout the school year and to read the article in full please follow the link.
http://www.redditch.tgacademy.org.uk/download/parent-post(2)/Tudor+Grange+Review.compressed.pdf
Wednesday, 16 September 2015
Future Plans
It has been around 2 months since we submitted our evidence for the Lessons From Auschwitz project however it does not mean our work stops here. The Holocaust is such an extremely important event in the worlds history and there is still so much to learn form it, the events of the present have so much relevance to today's society.
We have numerous plans to continue our work as ambassadors for the trust including getting involved with the Holocaust Memorial Day, both locally and within our school.We also plan to invite a Holocaust survivor into our school to interact with lower years and to tie in with their curriculum.
Being a part of this project has taught us so much about history but significantly about humanity. It has shown us that we are all equal no matter what differences occur. It has been an incredible experience working with the trust as part of this project and we hope to continue our work to ensure that the memory of this event is not forgotten.
We have numerous plans to continue our work as ambassadors for the trust including getting involved with the Holocaust Memorial Day, both locally and within our school.We also plan to invite a Holocaust survivor into our school to interact with lower years and to tie in with their curriculum.
Being a part of this project has taught us so much about history but significantly about humanity. It has shown us that we are all equal no matter what differences occur. It has been an incredible experience working with the trust as part of this project and we hope to continue our work to ensure that the memory of this event is not forgotten.
Tuesday, 14 July 2015
Beth Shalom Holocaust Memorial Museum Visit
On Monday, Anna and I were lucky enough to join the year 10 students on a school trip to the Holocaust Memorial Museum in Newark-on-Trent. We joined the trip as ambassadors, and utilised this visit to further our knowledge about the Holocaust and to hear from another Holocaust survivor.
Our day began by exploring the beautiful gardens around the Holocaust centre, reading the various plaques for victims throughout the gardens. It was so beautiful to see that the victims were being remembered and honoured at the centre, especially with the named plaques and flowers planted with each one around the area. I also appreciated the chance to remember the victims and acknowledge them through placing a pebble amongst a mound of other pebbles, which offered the opportunity to mourn for the victims in a personal way.
During the visit, we explored an exhibition about the journey of a young Jewish boy on the Kindertransport. This was interesting to hear about as it was from the perspective of children who were able to escape from the horrors of the concentration and death camps and reach safety in Britain.Unfortunately, we were taken around the wrong exhibition, however, we still learnt more about the Holocaust from this exhibition.
At the end of the day, we heard from Ruth David, a Holocaust survivor who came to England in 1939 as part of the Kindertransport. During her time in Germany, her family suffered acts of anti-Semitism, particularly when she was in a car, and was forced to shield herself for protection when the windows were smashed in. She was also able to tell us in detail how the events of the Night of Broken Glass affected her and her family, as well as the way in which her family was separated as a result of the Holocaust. Three of her siblings had fled to safe countries, such as America, Argentina and England, whilst her other two siblings remained in hiding in France, but her parents had been killed at Auschwitz. For anyone interested in hearing more about Ruth's experiences, she wrote a book called 'A Child of Our Time'.
Each time I hear from a survivor I am amazed at the courage and attitude of survivors, as they are able to tell others, and keep the memory of the Holocaust alive, despite the horrific memories they have to relive each time they talk about it. It is an honour to hear the witness accounts of the Holocaust, and it is also heart warming to hear that the survivors have been able to rebuild their lives, and have a family, leading a positive life after the suffering they experienced.
Our day began by exploring the beautiful gardens around the Holocaust centre, reading the various plaques for victims throughout the gardens. It was so beautiful to see that the victims were being remembered and honoured at the centre, especially with the named plaques and flowers planted with each one around the area. I also appreciated the chance to remember the victims and acknowledge them through placing a pebble amongst a mound of other pebbles, which offered the opportunity to mourn for the victims in a personal way.
During the visit, we explored an exhibition about the journey of a young Jewish boy on the Kindertransport. This was interesting to hear about as it was from the perspective of children who were able to escape from the horrors of the concentration and death camps and reach safety in Britain.Unfortunately, we were taken around the wrong exhibition, however, we still learnt more about the Holocaust from this exhibition.
At the end of the day, we heard from Ruth David, a Holocaust survivor who came to England in 1939 as part of the Kindertransport. During her time in Germany, her family suffered acts of anti-Semitism, particularly when she was in a car, and was forced to shield herself for protection when the windows were smashed in. She was also able to tell us in detail how the events of the Night of Broken Glass affected her and her family, as well as the way in which her family was separated as a result of the Holocaust. Three of her siblings had fled to safe countries, such as America, Argentina and England, whilst her other two siblings remained in hiding in France, but her parents had been killed at Auschwitz. For anyone interested in hearing more about Ruth's experiences, she wrote a book called 'A Child of Our Time'.
Each time I hear from a survivor I am amazed at the courage and attitude of survivors, as they are able to tell others, and keep the memory of the Holocaust alive, despite the horrific memories they have to relive each time they talk about it. It is an honour to hear the witness accounts of the Holocaust, and it is also heart warming to hear that the survivors have been able to rebuild their lives, and have a family, leading a positive life after the suffering they experienced.
Tuesday, 7 July 2015
#AmCon2015
So yesterday we both went down to London and spent the day at #AmCon2015. It was a thought provoking day that made us want to commit even more to our work with the Holocaust Educational Trust. We heard from survivors, liberators, historians, specialists and even BBC political editor, Nick Robinson. The day showed us how our work as ambassadors is vitally important not just to the future generation but to those who experienced the horror first hand. As we as ambassadors continue with our work, we encourage others to keep talking about these events. More to follow about the day itself!
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