Hertfordshire comes together to remember those lost during the Holocaust and other genocides

Published: 29 Jan 2026

Communities across Hertfordshire have come together to mark Holocaust Memorial Day and, by remembering, to pledge together that history never repeats itself.

The theme for this year is 'Bridging Generations' - a call to action and a reminder that responsibility of remembrance doesn't end with survivors, but lives on through their descendants and all of us.

Events have been held across Hertsmere, Stevenage, East Herts and St Albans, as well as a virtual meeting on January 26 run by Herts Inter Faith Forum and Hertfordshire County Council. Hertfordshire Library Service are also running book displays at Stevenage Central, Borehamwood, Radlett, Royston and Baldock sites until January 31.

Chairman of Hertfordshire County Council, Laurence Brass, said:

"Our county is strengthened by the many cultures, traditions, and communities that call Hertfordshire home, reflecting influences from across the globe. In fact, this country opened its doors to my late Grandfather Barnett Levine in the late 1930s when he escaped the Nazis in Poland and without this I might not be here today.

"In our times of current international unrest, it's more vital than ever that we learn the lessons from the Holocaust and other genocides including in Cambodia, Bosnia and Darfur. But we need to not just listen and learn - we need to understand, to remember and to hand them down to successive generations to build a safer future.

"It was a privilege to take part in this year's Holocaust Memorial Day and attend the many events that highlight and continue the important work of intergenerational dialogue, so we never forget."

The events included:

• January 22 - East Herts Council ran a memorial ceremony where events of the past were recounted and family memories were explored between six different speakers, attended by Chairman Laurence Brass, Rabbi Meni Sofer, Nicholas Buxton - High Sheriff of Hertfordshire, Robert Voss CBE - Lord Lieutenant of Hertfordshire, Organiser Jonathan Kaye, Josh Dean - MP for Hertford & Stortford, Cllr Martin Adams, Chairman - East Herts Council, Rabbi Irit Shillor, Bors Farago - Richard Hale School, Maisie Crow & Millie Prudames - Simon Balle School and Chris Hinchliffe - MP for North East Hertfordshire.

• January 26 - Herts Inter Faith Forum and Hertfordshire County Council ran a virtual event to remember those lost during the Holocaust and subsequent genocides, sharing stories to keep memory alive and pass down the lessons learnt.

• January 27 - Hertsmere Borough Council ran an event attended by Chairman Laurence Brass with a lantern procession and an event led by the Mayor Cllr Alpha Bird Collins with councillors, faith leaders, dignitaries and community representatives who heard from Maralyn Turgel, a respected speaker for Generation 2 Generation who shared the story of her late father Sam Gardner's experiences during the war and in concentration camps.

• January 27 - St Albans City and District Council ran an event attended by our Vice Chair Sandy Walkington. The civic event was an occasion to remember the six million Jews murdered during the Holocaust, the millions of other persecuted people killed by the Nazis, and later genocides in Cambodia, Rwanda and elsewhere, hosted by the Deputy Mayor of St Albans District, Councillor Sue Griffiths. It was attended by Deputy Lieutenants Annie Brewster JP DL and Revd Patrick Moriarty, honoured guests, and religious and civic leaders.
• January 27 - Stevenage Borough Council ran an event attended by Honorary Alderman John Lloyd. It was hosted by the Mayor of Stevenage, Councillor Nazmin Chowdhury, at Daneshill House, attended by Deputy Lieutenant Sally Burton, High Sheriff Nicholas Buxton , Kevin Bonavia MP and Honorary Alderman John Lloyd. The event reflected this year's theme, 'Bridging Generations', including a presentation by Debra Barnes (Generation2Generation speaker and author of The Young Survivors) on sharing survivors' stories with new generations. The service concluded with prayers and memorial candle lighting led by Student Rabbi Shamash Mirviss-Vajal.

HM Lord Lieutenant of Hertfordshire, Robert Voss, said:

"There has never been a more important time to commemorate Holocaust Memorial Day - remembering the 6 million Jewish people murdered by the Nazis - including my own grandparents and 61 members of my immediate family. Also remembering the terrible events in Cambodia, Rwanda, Srebrenica and Darfur.

"With current rising antisemitism and other hate crimes on the increase it is imperative that we all come together and that is why Herts Together is such an important initiative with events running throughout the year.

"We need to show that Hertfordshire is united and I hope that the people of this great county will come together and show their support for each other: 'One County, Many Voices, Shared Future'".

You can listen back to the virtual event from Monday at: Holocaust Memorial Day 2026

To find out more about HertsTogether, go to www.hertstogether.org.uk