Lewisham and Greenwich pupils join to commemorate Holocaust victims (From News Shopper)

Lewisham and Greenwich pupils join to commemorate Holocaust victims

11:33am Wednesday 24th October 2012 in News By Sarah Trotter

PUPILS from Lewisham and Greenwich joined to commemorate victims of the Holocaust through moving drama and poetry performances.

Rachel Levy, 81, survived the gas chambers in Auschwitz and visited Year 6 students from Brindishe Green Primary School who performed her harrowing story entitled ‘Rachel Levy’.

Secondary school children from Riverston School, in Eltham Road, also acted out the best-selling tale of “The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas” on October 11.

The event highlighted this year’s national Holocaust Memorial theme “Communities Together Build a Bridge” with children from across boroughs reaching out a hand of friendship through the arts.

Rachel Levy, who was given a bunch of flowers by the students, said: “It took me 50 years to tell my story as it was very, very, difficult for me to open up.

"But I hope that people appreciate it being told. I hope that in future everybody will understand that everyone is important, as that was not what I was made to feel."

She went on to wish all the schoolchildren a peaceful life with each other.

Chair of the Holocaust Memorial Committee Councillor Pauline Morrison said: “Holocaust Memorial Day gives us an opportunity to reflect on the past and learn some important lessons – how prejudice and discrimination can lead to persecution and even genocide.

“We can use these lessons in our lives today to help us create a better and safer future.

“In Lewisham, we think it’s extremely important to remember the Holocaust and it’s fitting we do this by working alongside our primary schools and our various faith communities.”

The day comes ahead of Holocaust Memorial Day 2013 which will be commemorated with a multi-faith service at Catford Synagogue on January 26 at 12pm.