Hundreds of people braved the snow and freezing temperatures to mark Holocaust Memorial Day in Hendon yesterday.
Mayor of Barnet, Councillor Brian Schama, joined councillors in a civic procession from Hendon Town Hall to Middlesex University in The Burroughs, where a service was held to commemorate those who lost their lives in the Holocaust.
Around 250 people turned out to the event, at which speakers included Mal Berisha, British ambassador to Albania, who was appointed as part of UN’s mission to Kosovo in 2000.
Also addressing the crowds was Myra Perry, pro-vice chancellor and director of academic partnerships at Middlesex University, the granddaughter of Jewish immigrants who left eastern Europe to settle in London in the 1900s.
Cllr Schama said: “Once again Holocaust Memorial Day gives us an opportunity to pause and remember those who have lost their lives through genocide as well as those left emotionally and physically scarred by their experiences of conflict.”
Pupils from Ashmole Academy also spoke about their recent visit to Auschwitz before the crowd was treated to performances by Alyth Youth Singers and the London Cantorial Singers with music by the Hendon band of the Salvation Army.
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