Year 9 are studying The Holocaust in both History and Religious Studies this term. Ms Moon therefore organised for Year 9 to attend a conference to commemorate Holocaust Memorial Day at the local South West Essex Synagogue in Newbury Park. Pupils had a tour of the synagogue, were allowed to see a special Torah (that had survived the Holocaust in Poland) and had a talk about survival from one of the synagogue volunteers.
Pupils then moved into a theatre style area for an incredibly moving speech by the daughter of a Holocaust survivor. It was the first time that she had told her father’s story and pupils got to see the survivor’s journal and photos that he had managed to save. They also heard an account from a Rabbi who had family that didn’t survive. Pupils were moved by the whole experience and asked sensitive and poignant questions about what they had heard and seen. To end the trip, Year 9 took part in a special all-faith prayer and service in the synagogue.
