Reflecting on Holocaust Memorial Day 2025: Lessons, Remembrance, and Action

30 Jan 2025, 13:20Alex Mareniuc

Reflecting on Holocaust Memorial Day 2025: Lessons, Remembrance, and Action

HMD2025 Reflection

As we move beyond Holocaust Memorial Day 2025, it feels right to reflect on the commemorations that took place and the enduring lessons they impart. This year's observance marked the 80th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau, serving as a poignant reminder of the atrocities committed and the importance of remembrance. Members of the Adventist-Jewish Relations community in the UK actively participated in various events, fostering dialogue and understanding between faiths.

Council of Christians and Jews Commemoration

A significant event organised by the Council of Christians and Jews (CCJ) at Lambeth Palace brought together faith leaders, Holocaust survivors, and members of the wider community for a deeply moving commemoration. Attendees heard testimonies from Holocaust survivors and descendants, reinforcing the urgent need to remember and educate.

Dr. Martin Stern MBE recounted his harrowing experiences in the Westerbork and Theresienstadt camps as a child. His testimony was particularly moving as he shared how many of those who participated in these atrocities were not distant figures, but neighbours and fellow citizens of his own country. His words served as a sobering reminder of how ordinary people can justify aligning themselves with evil—a reality that must not be ignored.

Equally compelling was the address by Romani activist Daniela Abraham, from Slovakia, who recalled the suffering of Roma and Sinti people during the Holocaust. She reminded attendees that racial violence and discrimination against her community continue to rise across Europe today—a stark testament to what happens when people acknowledge history but fail to build a more loving and just future.

In her closing remarks, Bishop Sarah Bullock, Chair of CCJ, posed the question, "What next?" She emphasised the ongoing task of upholding the memory of the Holocaust, combating antisemitism, and strengthening relationships between Christians and Jews across the UK for mutual flourishing.

Among those attending was Pastor Alex Mareniuc, Director of the UK Centre for Adventist-Jewish Relations, reaffirming the Seventh-day Adventist Church’s commitment to fostering deeper relationships, standing against hatred, and promoting meaningful dialogue.

East London Adventist-Jewish Relations Event

On 25 January 2025, the East London chapter of Adventist-Jewish Relations UK held a commemorative event at Ilford Central SDA Church. The church community was challenged to take action against all forms of discrimination and antisemitic behaviours.

During the Personal Ministries segment, a presentation on the "10 Stages of Genocide" outlined how prejudice, when unchecked, escalates into mass atrocities. Later, Elder Martin Mugadza delivered a powerful address, including a statement from Pastor Alex Mareniuc, Director of the Centre for Adventist-Jewish Relations.

Elder Mugadza warned of future challenges and encouraged the congregation to learn from the mistakes made by the church in the past. Drawing on his own experiences during Zimbabwe’s liberation struggle, he highlighted the moral courage required to stand against oppression, especially in times when fear tempts us into silence.

On 27 January, Elder Mugadza, along with members from Ilford Central SDA Church, visited the Holocaust Memorial site, taking part in a ceremony of remembrance. Despite the rain, which briefly paused for the hour-long service, the gathering featured songs by a choir, readings by schoolchildren, and speeches from faith leaders and local officials. Cllr Rai, leader of Redbridge Council, remarked:

"By learning about the Holocaust and other genocides, we can recognise the warning signs of prejudice and discrimination in our own time."

The Imperative of Remembrance

Holocaust Memorial Day is not just about recalling history—it is about ensuring that the lessons of the past remain deeply embedded in our collective consciousness. However, recent studies reveal a concerning decline in Holocaust awareness, particularly among younger generations.

A survey by the Claims Conference found that:

  • 22% of UK respondents believed that fewer than two million Jews were murdered during the Holocaust—despite the well-documented figure of six million.

  • 26% could not name a single concentration camp or ghetto, despite decades of Holocaust education.

  • 69% believe that something like the Holocaust could happen again today, demonstrating widespread concern about the fragility of historical memory.

The study also found that 76% had never heard of the Kindertransport, the initiative that saved approximately 10,000 Jewish children by bringing them to the UK. These findings suggest that as living survivors pass away, knowledge of the Holocaust is fading, making it easier for misinformation and denial to take root.

Faith communities often speak of a hopeful future—a time when God will bring about His kingdom, where there will be no more death or evil. However, we must also confront the current realities of our world and how any one of us can be led into ungodly actions when fear or ignorance clouds our judgement.

A Call to Action

As we reflect on these commemorations, we must not allow history to fade from memory. It is our responsibility to educate future generations so that we build a better, more just world—even if only in small ways.

Martin Stern MBE reminded attendees at Lambeth Palace that those responsible for these atrocities were atheists, rejecting the moral guidance of faith. His insight challenges us to ask: What kind of world might we live in if more people truly upheld the loving instructions of God? The principles of justice, compassion, and the sanctity of human life should guide us in shaping a world where such atrocities never happen again.

The Bible reminds us of the importance of passing down these lessons and underscores a timeless truth: remembrance must be an active, continuous process:

"You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise." (Deuteronomy 6:7)

Holocaust Memorial Day has passed, but our commitment must endure. Let us remember the events, the mistakes, and the principles that history teaches us. Let us stand against hatred in all its forms and build bridges of understanding for a better future.