National Holocaust Centre and Museum Marks Anniversary
Monday, 27th June 2016
A Service of Thanksgiving and Re-commitment to mark the 20th Anniversary of The National Holocaust Centre and Museum was held at Westminster Abbey at 6.30pm on Sunday 26th June.
The service was conducted by the Dean of Westminster, the Very Reverend Dr John Hall, who gave the Address.
Testimonies were given by Dr Stephen Smith MBE, Co-Founder, UNESCO Chair of Genocide Education and Executive Director of the Shoah Foundation; and by Dr James Smith CBE, Co-Founder and Chief Executive of the Aegis Trust and Life President of the National Holocaust Centre and Museum.
Rabbi Moshe Perez, Nottingham Hebrew Congregation, read Zephaniah 3: 14-end, and Phil Lyons MBE, Chief Executive of the National Holocaust Centre and Museum, read Revelation 21: 1-7.
During the Act of Re-commitment, Henry Grunwald OBE QC, Chairman of the National Holocaust Centre and Museum spoke on behalf of the Trustees, staff, and volunteers. Daniela Pears, representing the Pears Foundation, spoke on behalf of supporters and donors. Phil Lyons MBE spoke on behalf of survivors and their families. Children from Webster Primary School, Moss Side, received white roses from survivors of the Holocaust.
The prayers were led by the Reverend Paul Arbuthnot, Minor Canon and Sacrist, and said by: Rabbi Tanya Sakhnovich, Nottingham Library Synagogue; Imam Asif Ali Al-Azhari, Director of Education at the Karimia Institute, Nottingham; Dr James Smith CBE, Co-Founded of the National Holocaust Centre and Museum; and the Reverend Professor Vernon White, Canon in Residence.
The service was sung by members of the Westminster Abbey Special Service Choir, conducted by James O'Donnell, Organist and Master of the Choristers. The organ was played by Matthew Jorysz, Assistant Organist.
The National Holocaust Centre and Museum is the first and only centre dedicated to Holocaust remembrance and education in the UK. It plays a unique role as a memorial, a museum, a place of testimony, and a centre of learning.
Order of Service (PDF, 117KB)
Address given by the Dean of Westminster (PDF, 63KB)
