BRADFORD synagogue chairman Rudi Leavor will take part in an online talk as part of a series where Holocaust survivors and refugees talk about their experiences with public figures who have played a significant role in the fight against antisemitism and hate crime today.
Dame Louise Ellman, former Liverpool Riverside MP will speak with 94-year-old Mr Leavor in the free digital event on Thursday, organised by the Huddersfield-based Holocaust Exhibition and Learning Centre.
Mr Leavor was awarded the British Empire Medal in 2017 for his work with the local Jewish community in Bradford where he settled with his family in 1937 as part of the second wave of German Jews fleeing the Nazis.
The conversation is expected to reflect on his experiences seeing antisemitism take root in Germany and wha can be learnt today about why refugees need to flee persecution.
It will also see Dame Ellman talk about 21st century antisemitism and share her recent experiences as an MP, which caused her to quit the Labour Party after 55years of membership, stating it “was no longer a safe place for Jews”.
Speaking ahead of the event, she said a recent survey that showed almost two thirds of young American adults do not know that six million Jews were killed during the Holocaust, demonstrates how important education was.
“We cannot assume new generations understand our history and the horrendous things that happened didn’t start with the Holocaust,” she said.
“As Rudi explains, they started a long before when people’s minds became poisoned with antisemitic thoughts and we must continue to be vigilant to stop this happening again.”
The free talk will begin at 7pm on Thursday (October 1).
For more information, visit holocaustlearning.org.uk/events/in-conversation-rudi-leavor-with-dame-louise-ellman/
