Educational project to teach students at 120 schools about the Kindertransport
Holocaust Educational Trust launches its ‘Stories from Willesden Lane’ initiative to educate young people about children who fled the Nazis
The Holocaust Education Trust (HET) has launched its ‘Stories from Willesden Lane’ initiative involving 120 schools, to help youngsters understand the experiences of those saved by the Kindertransport.
At an event yesterday at New North London Synagogue – hosted by the Association of Jewish Refugees, which is generously supporting the project – guests included Kindertransport refugees and representatives, HET educators and concert pianist Mona Golabek, whose mother was one of those saved.
Mona’s mother Lisa Jura was brought to England on the Kindertransport when she was forced to flee her home in Vienna as a young girl and rebuild her life in London during the Second World War.
“Her incredible story will bring home the reality of the Holocaust, and Lisa’s refusal to give up on her dreams is set to inspire thousands of students across London,” organisers said this week.
“In an increasingly fragile world, the project will encourage young people to think about their role as active citizens in today’s society and understand the importance of challenging intolerance and prejudice in their communities.”
The name of the project is adapted from the name of a book at Lisa’s life, called The Children of Willesden Lane, which became a one-woman show that toured the United States, educating more than 250,000 American children.
HET is planning to bring thousands of schoolchildren in Years 6-8 “to learn about and reflect on Britain’s response to the plight of the Jews of Europe,” meaning the stories of the children who rebuilt their lives in Britain are kept alive.
“It is a thought-provoking and deeply emotive way to educate the next generation about the significance of the Kindertransport to Britain,” said HET chief executive Karen Pollock. “It will help equip students with the knowledge they need to ensure the memory of the Holocaust continues.”
Thank you for helping to make Jewish News the leading source of news and opinion for the UK Jewish community. Today we're asking for your invaluable help to continue putting our community first in everything we do.
For as little as £5 a month you can help sustain the vital work we do in celebrating and standing up for Jewish life in Britain.
Jewish News holds our community together and keeps us connected. Like a synagogue, it’s where people turn to feel part of something bigger. It also proudly shows the rest of Britain the vibrancy and rich culture of modern Jewish life.
You can make a quick and easy one-off or monthly contribution of £5, £10, £20 or any other sum you’re comfortable with.
100% of your donation will help us continue celebrating our community, in all its dynamic diversity...
Engaging
Being a community platform means so much more than producing a newspaper and website. One of our proudest roles is media partnering with our invaluable charities to amplify the outstanding work they do to help us all.
Celebrating
There’s no shortage of oys in the world but Jewish News takes every opportunity to celebrate the joys too, through projects like Night of Heroes, 40 Under 40 and other compelling countdowns that make the community kvell with pride.
Pioneering
In the first collaboration between media outlets from different faiths, Jewish News worked with British Muslim TV and Church Times to produce a list of young activists leading the way on interfaith understanding.
Campaigning
Royal Mail issued a stamp honouring Holocaust hero Sir Nicholas Winton after a Jewish News campaign attracted more than 100,000 backers. Jewish Newsalso produces special editions of the paper highlighting pressing issues including mental health and Holocaust remembrance.
Easy access
In an age when news is readily accessible, Jewish News provides high-quality content free online and offline, removing any financial barriers to connecting people.
Voice of our community to wider society
The Jewish News team regularly appears on TV, radio and on the pages of the national press to comment on stories about the Jewish community. Easy access to the paper on the streets of London also means Jewish News provides an invaluable window into the community for the country at large.
We hope you agree all this is worth preserving.
