There have been many times over the past seven months that I have wondered what we would have said if we were fathers, but never more so than when I saw last week’s editorial. jewish news.
He dedicated much of his life to teaching people about the Holocaust. Ten years ago David announced that as a proud member of the Holocaust Commission set up by Prime Minister David Cameron, he was a central figure in shaping the vision for the Holocaust Memorial Learning Center and believed deeply in the importance of its location next to Parliament. I did. .
This country wasn’t going to erect a monument and hide it apologetically. We also didn’t intend to put it anywhere in the Jewish community, as if this was for us.
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The Holocaust Commission was making a national statement about the importance of the whole country remembering the Holocaust and putting Holocaust education, to which my father dedicated so much of his life, at the heart of our democracy. So what would he say to that editorial? He would say, “Keep calm and carry on.”
There were no new discussions in that select committee room last week. This is an opportunity for those who remain in opposition to express their views, and it is a credit to our country that people are free to express their views and that we are able to have discussions like this. But we’ve heard all these points before.
Everything has already been discussed and this plan has been approved by all sitting Prime Ministers, Leaders of the Opposition, all major political parties, Chief Rabbis, all parts of our community and all key representatives including the Parliamentary Caucus, the JLC. Endorsed by the organization. , Holocaust Educational Trust, HMDT, and Survivors’ Own 45 Aid Society.
Ben Helfgott, son Maurice and grandson Ruben at the site of the proposed British Holocaust memorial in Victoria Tower Gardens, Westminster.
We do not believe that less than a tenth of a park is too large or disrespectful to other monuments or other uses of gardens.
We believe we should decline the opportunity to place this monument in such a prominent location in favor of a place where fewer people visit and where there is less opportunity to stop, think, and learn from the past.
Holocaust education was central to my father’s life and hopes for the future. And that’s probably the most important time since it happened. This memorial is scheduled to be held.
We don’t think we should shy away from this project because, like the Capitol, terrorists who don’t believe in our values may want to attack the Capitol. That’s not how we do things in the UK.
And what about the few survivors who oppose the monument? I know that my father has great respect for them and that they are entitled to their opinion. But that doesn’t mean he agrees with their opinion.
The overwhelming majority of survivors, including many who have since died, wanted the monument to be placed exactly where it was planned.
Aerial view of the Holocaust Memorial Learning Center planned for Victoria Tower Gardens
And for anyone who wonders whether we can still learn anything of value about the Holocaust today, we know that Dad, with all due respect, couldn’t disagree more.
Holocaust education was central to his life and hopes for the future. And that’s probably the most important time since it happened. This memorial is scheduled to be held.
In the end, not a single MP voted against the Holocaust Memorial Bill during its second reading. The bill, passed, removes a legal hurdle dating back to 1900.
A previous independent planning inquiry considered all arguments throughout the pandemic and found in favor of construction.
This country will have the courage to erect a permanent memorial to the Holocaust at the heart of its democracy.
From left: Sir Ben Helfgott, Jan Goldberger and Harry Spiro having lunch at Holmhurst, the original Loughton hostel where a group of The Boys (Jewish child refugees from the Nazis) were staying. .Photo: Melissa Page
This country will have the courage not only to erect monuments, but to build a place for education at the center of its people’s lives.
The country that was home to survivors like our fathers and “The Boys” will make a serious national effort to educate future generations against anti-Semitism and all forms of hatred. You will have courage – at the very moment we all know it is needed most. Therefore, now is not the time to lose faith in this project.
Now is the moment to encourage it. Now is the time to stay calm and continue acting.
• This article was written on behalf of and with the approval of the 45 Years Aid Society, many Holocaust survivors and second-generation families.