On 11 April John Wood, Major Berney’s son, presented his excellent and very moving account of his father’s major contribution to the liberation of Bergen-Belsen and the rehabilitation of its survivors. Leonard Berney was one of the first of the Allied troops through the gates of the disease-ridden, overcrowded Bergen-Belsen Concentration Camp where he came face-to-face with its many horrors. He remained there for 14 weeks, helping save as many lives as possible, and becoming the Commander of the Belsen Displaced Persons Camp. After the war, Leonard became a successful businessman running the UK’s largest clothing factory and later, his own haute couture dress company. The talk was heard by around 110 people on Zoom, including survivors of Bergen Belsen and their children, and relatives of other liberators of Bergen Belsen.

Yom HaShoah (Holocaust Remembrance Day) this year fell on Monday 6 May. During the period around this date, the charity Zikaron BaSalon is at its busiest. As mentioned in last month’s newsletter, it facilitates ‘memory salons’ in people’s homes at which a Holocaust survivor or descendant shares their personal experience. Zikaron BaSalon is a partner organisation of G2G and this year nine of our presenters led a total of 13 salons, both online and in locations such as Epping, Ealing, Swiss Cottage, Colindale, Watford, Richmond and Northwood. Here is some feedback: ‘It was truly a valuable and meaningful experience for the guests and hosts of two large virtual salons with over 120 overall who tuned in. It was such a special presentation with a unique point of view that rarely we are privy to experience.’ We are very pleased to be collaborating with Zikaron BaSalon in this way, furthering their excellent work.

This year, G2G was again invited by Yom HaShoah UK to take part in its annual commemoration ceremony, which was both live in Victoria Tower Gardens and streamed. Five of our 2G and 3G speakers – Jacqueline Luck, Debra Barnes, Suzy Goodwin, Lesley Urbach and Maralyn Turgel – accompanied survivors in lighting memorial candles. We very much appreciate Yom HaShoah UK choosing to involve us in this way and are very aware of the symbolism of the role of remembrance passing down from one generation to the next.
You can watch the ceremony at https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJ-DHB38DtqpKcpArCFHT2Q

G2G is hiring!

In this academic year our speakers have presented to more than 360 audiences reaching more than 35,000 people across the UK. With this rate of growth, we are looking for additional support to reach out to potential audiences for our speakers across the UK. So, G2G is looking for a proactive and dynamic person with a passion for Holocaust education, who would love to be our new Outreach Officer. They will need to be skilled in written and verbal communication plus information and data management. This is a paid position (up to 10 hours per week, mostly from home).
If you or someone you know feels this could be a good fit please contact us at https://www.generation2generation.org.uk/contact-us/