Holocaust Memorial Day Event 2026

The Scottish Jewish Heritage Centre is excited to announce that we will be hosting a special event for secondary school pupils in January 2026, in the lead up to Holocaust Memorial Day. The theme for Holocaust Memorial Day 2026 is ‘Bridging Generations’.

Holocaust Memorial Day marks the anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau, the largest Nazi concentration camp, and commemorates the millions of lives lost through Nazi persecution and the genocides in Bosnia, Cambodia, Rwanda and Darfur. You can find out more about this year’s theme here.

As many of those who experienced the horrors of the Holocaust first-hand are no longer with us, we now look to the second generation to continue sharing their stories – creating a space to Bridge the Generations. This event will be a special opportunity for pupils to hear these stories as told by those closest to the survivors. Together we can learn both from and about the Holocaust and take action towards a better future. The pupils will have the opportunity to ask questions, and will be able to share what they have learned with their fellow pupils back at school for Holocaust Memorial Day.

The event will take place on Wednesday 21st January 2026. The programme for the day is as follows:

• 10.00-11.30: A tour of the synagogue, ‘Scotland a Sanctuary’ exhibition and a chance to view original archival material from the Scottish Jewish Archives Centre.
• 11.30-12.00: Break – with refreshments provided from Marks Deli
• 12.00-1.30: Speakers and time for questions.

Speakers

Philip Rodney

“My Dad was born Wolfgang Rimalower in Leipzig in 1919. His parents, Febus and Marie had been brought to Germany from Russia and Poland by their own parents. Febus served in the German army in the Great War and with Marie built up a successful business in the textile trade and property. When Hitler came to power, my father’s parents, like their Jewish friends were frightened, but believed that democracy would soon be restored. However, as the 1930s progressed, the Nazi persecution got worse.

In my dad’s words,

“It must have been around 1934 or 1935 that I remember my parents trying to make the house safe at night – which is when the Nazis came. My father fixed steel bars in front of the doors and fastened them with heavy locks. The whole idea was that it would give us more time to call the police when the SS or the Gestapo arrived.”

In September 1938, my dad was involved in a car accident. In a state of shock got into an argument with the police who arrived at the scene. He went home and told his father who was concerned that my dad would be deported as a result. It was decided that my father would go to an aunt in Switzerland that night.

“A suitcase was packed and my parents took me to the station. It was September 13 1938. I didn’t know it at the time, but that was the last time I saw my parents.”

Susan Hodgins

“Dorrith Marianne Oppenheim was 7 years old when her parents, Hans and Trude took her to the Hamburg Railway Station. There they waved a tearful goodbye as Dorrith’s train left for Holland and then by train to London. There she was met by Fred and Sophie Gallimore who stayed in Edinburgh.  All Dorrith had with her was a little suitcase, a handbag and her toy dog Droll. Dorrith never saw her parents again. My name is Susan Hodgins. I live in Prestwick where my mum, Dorrith also lived with my dad, Andrew Sim, their five children and two dogs. A place she was very happy.”

We hope that you will be able to join us for this special event. We can accommodate up to 8 pupils per school, and the price of a ticket is £10 per pupil.

We look forward to seeing you there!