JRC Management Board members; Nigel Tobias, Andrea Cohen and Russell Conn were pleased to attend the Manchester City Council event commemorating Holocaust Memorial Day.

The theme was ‘Bridging Generations’ which featured ‘An Audience with Tomi Komoly BEM, Holocaust Survivor’ who told his very moving and touching story about the unchecked rise of antisemitism particularly in Hungary for him (which is where he grew up) to a capacity audience who listened, quietly and respectfully.

His story resonates with the rise of antisemitism today, and Tomi, whilst very grateful for his post-Holocaust life in Great Britain, was very worried about the approach to the chants being made on our streets today.

Concerned with the antisemitic chants being screamed on an almost daily basis, he explained the genocidal meaning of ‘From the River to the Sea, Palestine Will be Free’ as being about freeing the land between the River Jordan and the Mediterranean Sea, which is Israel, of Jews.

However, it was uplifting to hear from a local Jewish choir, and the reciting of a blessing, in English and Hebrew, from a Rabbi who then lit a memorial candle.

It was most encouraging to hear from His Worshipful the Lord Mayor, Carmine Grimshaw; Council Leader, Bev Craig and Chief Executive, Tom Stannard, all of whom reminded the audience of the deep connection between Manchester and its Jewish community who have given so much to the City, living peacefully for so many years until the attack on Heaton Park Synagogue.

Restating the commitment of Manchester City Council to fight antisemitism and to maintain community cohesion was a very positive message on which to end such a poignant evening.