Holocaust survivor to share his experiences

​​A Holocaust survivor who was sent to five concentration camps as a 12 year old boy will share his experiences as part of Newham Council’s Holocaust Memorial Day event.​

Harry Olmer BEM, 91, will be the guest speaker at the event which will take place on Friday 25 January at Newham Town Hall in East Ham. The event provides an important opportunity for all residents to remember those who suffered and died in the Holocaust, Nazi persecutions and subsequent genocides including Cambodia, Rwanda, Bosnia and Darfur.

The theme for this year’s event is Torn from Home. The theme encourages reflection on how the loss of a safe place to call ‘home’ is part of the trauma faced by anyone experiencing persecution and genocide.

Born in 1927 in Sonsowiec, Poland, Harry was 12 when World War II started. As part of the Nazi persecution of the Jews, he survived being sent to five concentration camps – including Plaszow near Krakow.

He was forced to work in a munitions factory filling shells with explosives and last saw his mother and sisters after he, his brother and father were separated from them in 1942.

Attendees to the event will also hear from Lord Parry Mitchell and Lady Hannah Lowy-Mitchell.

A number of Newham schools will be taking part in the event, with pupils reading their work based on the event’s theme. The schools include: St Luke’s CEVA Primary School, , New City Primary School, Essex Primary School, Lathom Junior School, Eastlea Community School, St Stephens Primary School, Kingsford Community School and Sir John Heron Primary School.

To remember those who lost their lives during the Holocaust and other genocides, a candle lighting ceremony will be held.

Finally there will be performances from the 282 Squadron RAF Band, Klezmer  Bridging Sounds Orchestra and Quwwat-ul-Islam Girls School Choir.

Mayor of Newham Rokhsana Fiaz said: “Please join us as we reflect upon these atrocities and join together in demonstrating our solidarity in combating antisemitism, racism and hatred. The theme this year is Torn from Home, a timely and apt topic in light of the ongoing refugee crisis we are witnessing.”

“Harry Olmer’s story will be hard to listen to but it is important these lessons are passed on through each generation. We must never forget these horrific crimes committed in the past as well as those which have been committed in all too recent history.”

The event will be held on Friday 25 January between 9.30am and 12.30pm at Newham Town Hall, Barking Road, E6 2RP.

The event is free and all residents are welcome to attend.

Published: 17 Jan 2019