Before the performance, the visitors from other schools were given an hour-long class on the background to the Kindertransport from JFS history teachers Susie Fox and Jennie Jebreel.
It covered not only the story of the young Jewish refugees brought to Britain but how the memory of Kindertransport has subsequently inspired others to act — such as Jewish social activist Nic Schlagman, whose campaign raised £200,000 last year for Syrian child refugees. “Individual actions do make a big difference,” Mrs Fox said.
As every educator knows, one personal story, powerfully told, can make more impact than a textbook full of facts. And Mona Golabek’s tale, which uses some of the classical pieces her mother loved to play as an emotional backdrop, left its mark on JFS’s guests.
Hijab-wearing Ayesha said, “It really touched the heart. The message conveyed is so relevant in society with what’s going on in the Middle East.”
“I have no words,” said Gui, “I’m speechless.” Jack Todd, a history teacher from Crest Academy in Neasden, said, “it speaks in an accessible and powerful way. It should be seen as widely as possible.”
