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Holocaust Memorial Day participation dropped almost 20 per cent

October 7 was blamed for the decrease in numbers

April 17, 2024 05:52
AJR
Holocaust survivors light six candles at the Holocaust Memorial Day service of AJR in London Belzise Sq Synagogue on 22 1 2024. (Photos: Adam Soller Photography)
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There was a significant drop in the number of schools and organisations that took part in Holocaust Memorial Day this year, due to “unprecedented challenges” engaging people due to October 7, organisers said.

Uptake dropped by nearly 20 per cent compared to last year in marking the one day in the British calendar that commemorates victims of the Holocaust and other genocides.

Speaking at the Trust’s 2024 impact review, Olivia Marks-Woldman, HMD chief executive, said: “It was a particularly challenging year and if I didn’t mention that, it would be an elephant in the room.”

Holocaust Memorial Day was marked by 3,700 organisations this year, a significant drop from the 4,500 which took part in 2023, but “more than we initially feared,” said Marks-Woldman.