Holocaust Memorial Service 27th January 2025 

Holocaust Memorial Day on 27th January was marked by a service at St Mary’s Church, Saffron Walden. The congregation included pupils from RA Butler Academy, Dame Bradbury’s School, St Mary's C of E Primary School and St Thomas More Catholic Primary School. The Saffron Walden County High School sent its Chamber Choir to sing.

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The service remembered the 6 million Jews murdered during the Holocaust and also commemorated millions more people murdered through the Nazi persecution of other groups and in more recent genocides recognised by the UK government. More information on Holocaust Memorial Day is available at https://hmd.org.uk/, including how Europe’s Roma and Sinti people were targeted by the Nazis.
The speaker this year was Crina Morteanu from the Luton Roma Trust. Luton Roma Trust follows the teachings of Jesus who calls us to love our neighbours, care for children and challenge injustice. The subject of the Roma was chosen this year to commemorate the Roma Holocaust in which at least 500,000 Roma were killed although Crina suggested recent evidence suggests the true figure may be nearer two million.  More information on the Luton Roma Trust is available at lutonromatrust.org.uk.

Other participants in leading the service were Leslie Wheeler from the Cambridge Synagogue who sang the Hebrew prayers and blessing, Cllr Petrina Lees, Leader of Uttlesford District Council who led the Coventry Litany of Reconciliation, which is read in Coventry Cathedral every day and Hinei Ma Tov (How good it is for brethren to dwell together in unity) was sung by the SWCHS Chamber Choir. An Act of Commitment was led by the Mayor, Cllr Deryk Eke and Prayers were led by Rev’d John Goddard of Saffron Walden Baptist Church with a Reflection by the Rector Rev’d Jeremy Trew.

Photo on right: Back row left to right: Cllr Richard Freeman (Town Council), Leslie Wheeler (Cambridge Synagogue), Cllr Petrina Lees (Uttlesford District Council), Mayor, Cllr Deryk Eke
Front row, left to right: Rufus Barnes, Crina Morteanu (Luton Roma Trust), Rev’d Jeremy Trew (Rector)