Holocaust Memorial Day 2023
A quotation goes around social media regularly “The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing.” Regardless of who said this (something that is debated), it suggests that the ordinary bystander who sees him/herself as a ‘good’ person is complicit in wrongdoing simply through the absence of action.
The theme for 2023 International Holocaust Memorial Day is Ordinary People. The hope is that as we reflect on how ordinary people were victims, perpetrators, bystanders, rescuers and witnesses to the many different facets of the Holocaust and other genocides since, ordinary people “such as ourselves, can perhaps play a bigger part than we might imagine in challenging prejudice today” (www.hmd.org.uk)
The Holocaust Memorial Day Trust says “We are all ordinary people today who can be extraordinary in our actions. We can all make decisions to challenge prejudice, stand up to hatred, to speak out against identity-based persecution, to shop responsibly. Ordinary people are also the ones who drive Holocaust Memorial Day, who lead on community commemorations, who support and encourage everyone around them to take part in remembrance and education projects.” OutoftheBox is proud to be part of this action.
OutoftheBox is a movement promoting personal and community wellbeing through the power of story and play, designed for use in different settings, with both children and adults. We are offering three carefully scripted Story videos and accompanying scripts. They can either be shared using one of our pre-recorded video presentations or you can access the scripts to tell the story yourself.
Ordinary people, survivors of genocide have become extraordinary in the way they have gone on to live lives bearing witness to the experience, in some cases becoming educators and representatives. One such individual is Lord Alf Dubs, who as a child escaped Nazi - occupied Prague on the Kindertransport. In 2022, OutoftheBox was able to work with him to create a story about his experience, a story of hope and the extraordinary life he has gone on to live, in the service of others.
The Children’s Train recounts the story of Lord Dubs’ escape from Prague during WW2, and his subsequent campaigning work with displaced persons and refugees.
Beautiful Things imagines the experience of someone leaving their home and treasured possessions.
The Holocaust Memorial Day Trust has a number of resources including schools materials and activity templates (anything from 10-30 minutes to a whole day) for schools and other organisations wishing to mark the day. If you are a member of OutoftheBox there are a number of other stories that might fit into one of these sessions or used as a springboard for refection and discussion, using the themes of choice, power, conflict, and identity.
A list of books and videos to support discussion around the topic of World War Two and the Holocaust. Courtesy of Primary Matters These can be accessed here
This blog was written by Judy Yeomans who is a mentor for OutoftheBox.