London’s Jewish community marks Holocaust Remembrance Day
About 150 people took part in a solemn ceremony Monday evening at London’s Jewish community centre — it was to recognize Holocaust Remembrance Day.
Among them, Holocaust survivors Anna Leich, Alice Nagus, and Rose Klein, who took part in the lighting of the memorial menorah.
“My parents had a lot of siblings, it was a large family, and they all perished, they were all murdered,” said Rose as she gathered strength from her close friends Anna and Alice. “I am living here as a lone survivor,” she explained.
“There’s two stories here,” added Alice. “One of survival for kids like me, and one of survival for my parents and my brothers,” she said.
“It means we should never forget, especially with our world a little bit cockeyed right now, that people have to care and look out for each other,” said Anna.
The keynote speaker for the event was 19 year old Lorenz Joelli from Austria.
He’s currently performing his national service working at the new Toronto Holocaust Museum.
Keynote speaker 19 year old Lorenz Joelli from Austria who is performing his country’s national service working at the Toronto Holocaust Museum. May 6, 2024. (Bryan Bicknell/CTV News London)It’s an alternative to military service which Austria offers for young people to engage in the work of historical memory and reconciliation.
Lorenz says current events show antisemitism continues to be a struggle.
“It’s important more than ever, especially with this gigantic rise of anti-Semitism since after Oct. 7. It’s more important than ever. I think if everybody does their part you can keep the stories alive. Even though the Holocaust happened over 80 years ago never let your kids or your grandkids forget about it,” he said.
London Mayor Josh Morgan also offered remarks.
He urges community members to stand up to hate, “Hate in all its forms is on the rise globally. You have to seek out the roots of hate and take them on head-on,” said Morgan.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'The root cause': Canada outlines national action plan to fight auto theft
The federal government is launching what it calls its 'national action plan' to combat auto thefts, which will include stronger penalties for thieves, and increased information sharing between police agencies, government officials and border enforcement.
What is BORG drinking, and why is it a dangerous trend? An expert explains
If you've been to a party lately and haven't seen someone drinking a BORG, you're likely not partying with college students.
The world's best airline is paying staff a bonus of 8 months' salary
Singapore Airlines will reward its employees with a bonus worth nearly eight months of salary, a person familiar with the matter told CNN on Friday.
Prosecution rests in Donald Trump’s hush money case. The defence now gets its turn to call witnesses
Michael Cohen testified Monday that he stole tens of thousands of dollars from his ex-boss Donald Trump’s company, an admission defence lawyers hope to use to undermine Cohen’s credibility.
Red Lobster probes 'endless shrimp' losses after bankruptcy filing
U.S.-based restaurant chain Red Lobster has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in a Florida court after securing $100 million in financing commitments from its existing lenders, the company said on Sunday.
'Next man up': Canucks coach, teammates bracing for Game 7 without Brock Boeser
Questions about how the team is going to handle the absence of star winger Brock Boeser from a do-or-die game seven dominated pre-game interviews with the Vancouver Canucks coach and players Monday morning.
Katy Perry sings goodbye to 'American Idol'
Katy Perry said her goodbyes on 'American Idol' after seven seasons. On Sunday night’s live 'idol' season finale, a medley of Perry's hit songs were performed, including 'Teenage Dream,' 'Dark Horse' and 'California Gurls.'
U.S. Supreme Court rejects appeal from former Guantanamo detainee Omar Khadr
The U.S. Supreme Court on Monday rejected an appeal by a Canadian-born former Guantanamo detainee who was seeking to wipe away his war crimes convictions, including for killing a U.S. soldier in Afghanistan.
Woman, 35, in critical condition after her truck collided with a Via Rail train near Montreal
A 35-year-old woman is in critical condition after the pick-up truck she was driving was struck by a Via Rail passenger train Monday morning in Quebec's Monteregie region.