Manchester pays respects to Jewish community for Holocaust Memorial Day 2025

Each year, Holocaust Memorial Day provides a poignant moment to reflect on the darkest chapters of human history. On 27th January, Manchester will join communities across the globe in honouring the survivors, remembering the victims, and recommitting to a brighter, more inclusive future.

This year’s theme, “For a Better Future,” invites reflection on the human cost of the Holocaust and other genocides, urging us to learn from the past to build a future defined by unity and compassion. Across the city, events and exhibitions will open spaces for dialogue, education, and collective action.

Holocaust Memorial Day

At the heart of the commemorations is a special gathering at the Rates Hall on 23rd January. The event will feature Holocaust survivor Dr. Martin Stern MBE, who will share his deeply personal story of resilience and hope. You can find out more information about DR Martin Stern MBE’s story by clicking here

Opening remarks by the Lord Mayor of Manchester, Councillor Paul Andrews, will set a tone of reverence and reflection, while a poetry reading by Hannah Senesh and a Memorial Prayer led by Rabbi Robyn Ashworth-Steen will offer moments of solemnity and connection. The evening will close with remarks from Deputy Leader Councillor Joanna Midgley, emphasising Manchester’s commitment to combating antisemitism and intolerance.

“This day allows us to forge deeper connections, dispel misconceptions, and celebrate the contributions of the Jewish community in Manchester,” said Councillor Midgley. “By coming together, we can foster understanding, unity, and ensure that such atrocities are never repeated.”

Reflections on freedom: Jewish Museum’s Open Day

The Jewish Museum will play a central role in Manchester’s commemorations with its weeklong programming and a special Open Day on Sunday, 28th January.

Titled “Reflections on Freedom,” the day promises a vibrant exploration of freedom’s fragility, led by The Creative Activists—a group of young change-makers aged 18-25 who have been delving into Holocaust narratives and the museum’s collection over recent months.

Visitors to the Open Day will find a powerful temporary exhibition created by the group, examining stories of displacement and resilience. Interactive activities, including a zine-making workshop and community art installations, will invite participants to respond creatively to this year’s theme.

The day also offers a chance to explore the museum’s historic 1874 Spanish & Portuguese Synagogue, connecting visitors to the rich tapestry of Jewish history in Manchester.

“The Creative Activists have poured their hearts into this project,” said a museum spokesperson. “Their work not only honours the past but inspires us to think critically about freedom and how we can protect it for future generations.”

You can find out more information by clicking here

Exploring antisemitism and Jewish identity

Running throughout the week from 22nd to 28th January, the museum will also host the National Holocaust Centre and Museum’s touring exhibition, “I Say British, You Say Jewish.” This mobile exhibit combines digital and physical displays to explore the history of antisemitism while celebrating the diversity of contemporary Jewish life.

With free entry and a focus on education, these events underline the importance of Holocaust Memorial Day as a moment of learning and community connection.

You can find out more information by clicking here

Holocaust Memorial Day Schools’ exhibition at Manchester Cathedral

Adding to this year’s commemorations, pupils from across the Diocese of Manchester have created a powerful response to the Holocaust in a special exhibition at Manchester Cathedral’s Regimental Chapel, running from 23rd to 30th January 2025.

The exhibition, which coincides with the 80th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau and the 30th anniversary of the genocide in Bosnia, showcases the children’s reflections on themes of love, hope, and peace. Using creative approaches, they’ve explored the enduring human capacity for resilience and connection in the face of unimaginable suffering.

The official launch of the exhibition will take place at 2pm on 23rd January and offers visitors the opportunity to view the pupils’ work, hear about the inspiration behind their creations, and reflect on the lessons of history. Free registration for the launch event is now open.

You can find out more information about this event by clicking here

Looking forward, together

Since its establishment in 2001, Holocaust Memorial Day has been a powerful reminder of the horrors of hatred and intolerance. From the Holocaust to subsequent genocides in Cambodia, Rwanda, Bosnia, and Darfur, the day serves as a call to action for communities worldwide to stand united against injustice.

Manchester’s commemorations echo this message, transforming the past’s lessons into hope for the future. Whether listening to the harrowing yet inspiring words of a survivor, engaging with young voices shaping tomorrow, or reflecting in the quiet of a museum, every moment matters.

Holocaust Memorial Day is not just about remembering—it’s about resolving. And in Manchester, the resolve is clear: to build a city, a country, and a world where compassion and understanding prevail.