# data[].attributes.headline
The Holocaust Memorial Trust answer some frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about marking Holocaust Memorial Day by clicking on the questions below.

# data[].attributes.subject
The Holocaust Memorial Trust answer some frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about marking Holocaust Memorial Day by clicking on the questions below.

# data[].attributes.body
Use this short audit tool to identify areas of good practice and identify areas for improvement. The action plan will provide you with guidance for each area to ensure you achieve a measurable impact.If you require any support, please call 0333 313 7165 to get in touch with one of our advisers. This phone line is open on weekdays, from 9am to 5pm.

If your query relates to training, please email sendandinclusiontraining@norfolk.gov.uk

# data[].attributes.body
A collection of resources which can be used to support families.

# data[].attributes.body
See these top tips around HMD

# data[].attributes.body
A collection of resources to support curriculum delivery including high quality resources.

# data[].attributes.body
A collection of resources to support leaders to embed this training across your school and to develop effective policies.

# data[].attributes.body
A collection of resources to support staff to develop their knowledge and skills around this subject.

# data[].attributes.body
A collection of resources which can be used to support CYP including those who may be more affected by the content and require some reasonable adjustments to safely engage

# data[].attributes.body
All powerpoints used in this training session can be found here!

# data[].attributes.headline
Top tip 1 - Access quality assured resources; content should not cause emotional harm and should be factually accurate where possible and appropriate

# data[].attributes.subject
Top tip 1 - Access quality assured resources; content should not cause emotional harm and should be factually accurate where possible and appropriate

# data[].attributes.headline
Top tip 2 - Create a safe space for the work to happen; be thoughtful about delivering this content in light of the conflict in Israel and Gaza

# data[].attributes.subject
Top tip 2 - Create a safe space for the work to happen; be thoughtful about delivering this content in light of the conflict in Israel and Gaza

# data[].attributes.headline
Top tip 3 - Engage families; send a clear message about equality, diversity, inclusion and belonging

# data[].attributes.subject
Top tip 3 - Engage families; send a clear message about equality, diversity, inclusion and belonging

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
What's happening in Palestine and Israel is devastating. Our thoughts are with young people from Muslim, Jewish, and Christian communities who are experiencing pain, grief and anger as each day unfolds.

How you support yourself is extremely personal, and self-care advice like "go for a walk" might feel trivial right now. Whatever you're feeling, we want you to know that you're not alone, and however you want to support yourself or your community is valid.

If you've been affected by what's happening or what you've seen in the news, here are some things to keep in mind when the world feels especially heavy.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Mental Health Advice | The Conflict in the Middle East

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
If what's happening in Palestine and Israel is affecting how you feel, you are not alone. Support is available, and we're here to help you find it.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Five tips for talking to young people about the Holocaust

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
When The World Was Ours author Liz Kessler shares tips for teachers and parents in talking to young people about the Holocaust.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Seven children's books to help talk about the Holocaust

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Author Jeremy Dronfield recommends seven thought-provoking and gripping books about the Holocaust.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
To mark Holocaust Memorial Day and the liberation of Auschwitz, here is a poignant booklist that should hopefully help explain and inform teenage r…

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
To mark Holocaust Memorial Day and the liberation of Auschwitz, here is a poignant booklist that should hopefully help explain and inform younger readers about the events surrounding the Holocaust.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
The impact of Holocaust Memorial Day across the UK

# data[].attributes.attachment_caption
Holocaust and genocide distortion and denial are a continuing challenge, so knowing the facts about the Holocaust and genocide is vital. Our ‘short answers to b

# data[].attributes.headline
PPT and video: SHORT ANSWERS TO BIG QUESTIONS

# data[].attributes.subject
PPT and video: SHORT ANSWERS TO BIG QUESTIONS

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Holocaust and genocide distortion and denial are a continuing challenge, so knowing the facts about the Holocaust and genocide is vital. Our 'short answers to big questions' video and PowerPoint provide key information for everyone at your Holocaust Memorial Day (HMD) activity to learn and share.

Download PowerPoint
Download video
The 90 second video is a useful starting point for a discussion or can be played in the background at your event. Alternatively, you could use the PowerPoint for a presentation, lesson or discussion.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Holocaust Memorial Day Trust | Short answers to big questions

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Holocaust and genocide distortion and denial are a continuing challenge, so knowing the facts about the Holocaust and genocide is vital. Our 'short answers to big questions' video and PowerPoint provide key information for everyone at your Holocaust Memorial Day (HMD) activity to learn and share.

# data[].attributes.headline
SLT PLEASE READ! HMD 2024 Guidance for activity organisers in light of the conflict in Israel and Gaza

# data[].attributes.subject
SLT PLEASE READ! HMD 2024 Guidance for activity organisers in light of the conflict in Israel and Gaza

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Guidance, help and support for Holocaust Memorial Day (HMD) activity organisers across the UK in light of the ongoing conflict in Israel and Gaza and the impact this has had on community relations in the UK and across much of the world. This guidance is being frequently reviewed and will be updated as necessary.

As the charity established and primarily funded by the UK Government to promote and support HMD in the UK, our purpose is to promote and support HMD as the UK's national day to commemorate the 6 million Jewish men, women and children murdered during the Holocaust, alongside the millions of people murdered under Nazi persecution of other groups and during more recent genocides in Cambodia, Rwanda, Bosnia and Darfur.

We encourage people to learn lessons from the past and take steps to challenge hatred and persecution.

HMD is for everyone, an opportunity to try and bring communities together to remember our common humanity and to commit to standing up to bigotry, hatred and racism wherever we find it today.

Organising an HMD activity, your questions answered

The questions below have been split between those that affect the organisation of an activity and those that affect the content of an activity.

HMD Activity Organisational Questions
Given the current situation in Israel and Gaza is it too political to mark HMD?
No - we need to bring people together more than ever. HMD is a time to remember the 6 million Jews murdered during the Holocaust, alongside the millions of people murdered under Nazi persecution of other groups and during more recent genocides in Cambodia, Rwanda, Bosnia and Darfur. Marking HMD is not subject to the conflict in Israel and Gaza, or conflicts anywhere else. It is a day for everyone, a day when we remember all those millions of people murdered because of something that made them who they were - for example their ethnicity or faith.
Do I need security for my HMD activity or event?
Security requirements for any HMD activity or event are very much situation and location dependent. While it is good practice to have a security presence, the level of security your event or activity may require will depend on several factors:

1. Who can attend your activity or event (whether in person or online) - is the activity or event by invitation only or open and advertised to the public? One way of improving security is not to release details of the location or link to an online activity or event earlier than 24 hours beforehand, thereby maintaining the security of its location.

2. Is your activity or event taking place in a contained or secure space eg activities taking place within an office or school are much more secure than an activity taking place in a shopping centre or a park.

3. Who is coming to your activity or event eg if you have any high-profile guests such as politicians, faith leaders or other officials then it may be necessary to provide extra security.

The openness of your activity or event, whether in-person or online, will dictate the level of security that you require. If you are inviting specific individuals, if the activity or event is in a location where the public cannot come and go through, and there are no high-profile individuals in attendance, then the security presence you require will be very low.

If your activity or event is open to the public, has been advertised widely and there are expected to be high-profile individuals in attendance then the security you require will be much greater. In this instance, and if it is in-person only, it is worth contacting your local police force to make them aware that this activity or event is taking place. If you're not sure who to contact within the local police, please contact CST who can assist you with identifying the right local police force contact.
Are we allowed to prevent protestors stopping our HMD activity?
Legally you cannot and should not try to prevent protests taking place. In instances where protestors are encroaching upon your activity or event, or intimidating those attending, then you should call the police who have the powers to intervene.
We normally hold our HMD activity in public, should we still be doing this?
Holding an event in a public place or making it open for anyone to attend presents much greater potential security risks than closed events with a specifically invited audience. If you are still planning to hold an event in public, then ensuring that some security for the event is provided is good practice as is letting the local police know that the event is taking place.
I don't want to add my HMD activity to the HMDT activity map is there any other way I can let HMDT know about it?
It is great to know what activities are taking place across the UK and many HMD activity organisers choose to add their activities to our online map. You can add your activity to the map and request for it to remain 'unlisted'; HMDT staff will be the only ones who can view it. Alternatively, should you not wish to add your activity to our map this year then we would encourage you to let us know by emailing us directly at [email protected] .
The organisation I work at or represent is very supportive of either the Israeli or Palestinian cause, does that mean we can't mark HMD?
HMD is a time to remember the 6 million Jews murdered during the Holocaust, alongside the millions of people murdered under Nazi persecution of other groups and during more recent genocides in Cambodia, Rwanda, Bosnia and Darfur. Marking HMD is not subject to the conflict in Israel and Gaza, or conflicts anywhere else. It is a day for everyone, a day when we remember all those millions of people murdered because of something that made them who they were - for example their ethnicity or faith.

Activity Content Questions
What is HMDT'S view on the current situation in Israel and the Palestinian Territories?
The barbaric massacre of innocent Israeli and other civilians by Hamas on 7 October 2023 caused a shocking loss of life and ongoing trauma. The deaths and desperate ongoing suffering of innocent Palestinian civilians leave us appalled. All this has changed the political landscape. We are deeply affected by the resulting division and hostility in societies globally, including here in the UK.

As increasing levels of polarisation and violence continue to impact our world, we encourage people to learn lessons from the past and take steps to challenge hatred and persecution.

Our mission is based on the Stockholm Declaration and our purpose is to promote and support Holocaust Memorial Day as the UK's national day to commemorate the 6 million Jews murdered during the Holocaust, the millions of non-Jewish people killed under Nazi persecution, and people murdered in the more recent genocides in Cambodia, Rwanda, Bosnia and Darfur.

Our role is to commemorate the past and work towards a better future. We do this by promoting a world which is free from persecutions based on people's characteristics, such as faith or ethnicity. We are available to guide and provide resources for anyone who would like to participate in our work.

It has never been within the remit of HMDT to make judgements on legal definitions around an international conflict. Specifically, the genocides which we commemorate are determined by an official decision by an international court or tribunal.

Since 7 October 2023 the Community Security Trust (CST) has reported a steep rise in antisemitic incidents and Tell MAMA has logged notable increases in anti-Muslim hatred in the UK. This is a direct expression of the conflict playing out in our communities and it is vital that we unite against it.

Holocaust Memorial Day events bring people together from all different backgrounds. We learn more about the past, empathise with people today and take action for a better future.
Should I acknowledge the situation in Israel and Gaza in my HMD activity? And if so, how?
At the heart of HMD is the remembrance of the 6 million Jews murdered during the Holocaust, alongside the millions of people murdered under Nazi persecution of other groups and during more recent genocides in Cambodia, Rwanda, Bosnia and Darfur. We are aware that some activities will also add references to more recent examples of identity-based persecution, such as the suffering that has been or is being experienced by the Rohingyas in Myanmar, the Uyghurs in China, the Yazidis in Iraq or the Ukrainians at the hands of Russia. These should be an addition to and not a replacement for, remembrance of the Holocaust, Nazi persecution and more recent genocides. Likewise, any reference to the situation in Israel and Gaza should be in addition to, and not instead of, remembrance of the Holocaust, Nazi persecutions of other groups and more recent genocides, and should recognise the complexity of the situation. HMD is not a day for division or divisiveness, it's a day for people and communities to come together in remembrance of both those who were murdered and to remember our shared humanity. HMD activities therefore should be inclusive and respectful of all communities.
We have had a speaker(s) in our HMD activity withdraw because of the situation in Israel and Gaza, what should we do?
The first thing you should do is ask what the specific reason is that the person has had to withdraw and whether there is anything you can do to reduce any concerns they have. HMD is for everyone and is not for any one community or group and any HMD activity should be created with this in mind. If there is nothing you can reasonably do or change to make attendance possible then where possible adjust your activity as necessary or contact HMDT to see if we may be able to assist with helping you find a new speaker.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Holocaust Memorial Day Trust | HMD 2024 Guidance for activity organisers in light of the conflict in Israel and Gaza

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Guidance, help and support for Holocaust Memorial Day (HMD) activity organisers across the UK in light of the ongoing conflict in Israel and Gaza and the impact this has had on community relations in the UK and across much of the world. This guidance is being frequently reviewed and will be updated as necessary.

# data[].attributes.headline
Downloadable: ABOUT HMD BOOKLET AND FLYER

# data[].attributes.subject
Downloadable: ABOUT HMD BOOKLET AND FLYER

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Our About HMD booklet and flyer make great handouts at your Holocaust Memorial Day (HMD) activity and help explain what HMD is to attendees.

Download About HMD booklet
Download the Welsh language About HMD booklet
Our About HMD booklet contains information about each genocide that is marked on HMD and the experiences of individuals who faced persecution.

You can download and print the booklets yourself to display or give out at your HMD activity, or alternatively you can request copies to be sent to you here.

Alternatively, download our About HMD flyer which links to the digital booklet and can more easily be printed and handed out at your event. It is designed to be printed A3 and folded in half.
Download About HMD flyer Download Welsh language About HMD flyer

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Holocaust Memorial Day Trust | About HMD booklet and flyer

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Our About HMD booklet and flyer make great handouts at your Holocaust Memorial Day (HMD) activity and help explain what HMD is to attendees.

# data[].attributes.headline
Accessible content: HOLOCAUST AND GENOCIDES POSTERS

# data[].attributes.subject
Accessible content: HOLOCAUST AND GENOCIDES POSTERS

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Holocaust Memorial Day Trust | Holocaust and genocides posters

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Our poster pack contains a set of six posters with information about the Holocaust and genocides that have happened since. You can download a free set to display at your HMD activity.

# data[].attributes.headline
Accessible content: TEN STAGES OF GENOCIDE POSTER

# data[].attributes.subject
Accessible content: TEN STAGES OF GENOCIDE POSTER

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Holocaust Memorial Day Trust | Ten stages of genocide poster

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Genocide never just happens. There is always a set of circumstances which occur or which are created to build the climate in which genocide can take place. Download our ten stages of genocide poster which explains the different stages which lead to genocide.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Holocaust Memorial Day was created on 27 January 2000, when representatives from 46 governments around the world met in Stockholm to discuss Holocaust education, remembrance and research.

At the end of this meeting, all attendees signed a declaration committing to preserving the memory of those who have been murdered in the Holocaust.

This declaration became the statement of commitment which is still used as a basis for HMD activities today.
You can download a copy of the statement of commitment to use in your HMD activity here.
In January 2020, as the world marked the 75th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz, ministers from the 34 countries of the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) adopted an amended Ministerial Declaration to underline and renew the commitments made in the 2000 Stockholm Declaration. You can view the amended declaration here.

Declaration of the Stockholm International Forum on the Holocaust

1. The Holocaust (Shoah) fundamentally challenged the foundations of civilization. The unprecedented character of the Holocaust will always hold universal meaning. After half a century, it remains an event close enough in time that survivors can still bear witness to the horrors that engulfed the Jewish people. The terrible suffering of the many millions of other victims of the Nazis has left an indelible scar across Europe as well.

2. The magnitude of the Holocaust, planned and carried out by the Nazis, must be forever seared in our collective memory. The selfless sacrifices of those who defied the Nazis, and sometimes gave their own lives to protect or rescue the Holocaust's victims, must also be inscribed in our hearts. The depths of that horror, and the heights of their heroism, can be touchstones in our understanding of the human capacity for evil and for good.

3. With humanity still scarred by genocide, ethnic cleansing, racism, anti-semitism and xenophobia, the international community shares a solemn responsibility to fight those evils. Together we must uphold the terrible truth of the Holocaust against those who deny it. We must strengthen the moral commitment of our peoples, and the political commitment of our governments, to ensure that future generations can understand the causes of the Holocaust and reflect upon its consequences.

4. We pledge to strengthen our efforts to promote education, remembrance and research about the Holocaust, both in those of our countries that have already done much and those that choose to join this effort.

5. We share a commitment to encourage the study of the Holocaust in all its dimensions. We will promote education about the Holocaust in our schools and universities, in our communities and encourage it in other institutions.

6. We share a commitment to commemorate the victims of the Holocaust and to honour those who stood against it. We will encourage appropriate forms of Holocaust remembrance, including an annual Day of Holocaust Remembrance, in our countries.

7. We share a commitment to throw light on the still obscured shadows of the Holocaust. We will take all necessary steps to facilitate the opening of archives in order to ensure that all documents bearing on the Holocaust are available to researchers.

It is appropriate that this, the first major international conference of the new millennium, declares its commitment to plant the seeds of a better future amidst the soil of a bitter past. We empathize with the victims' suffering and draw inspiration from their struggle. Our commitment must be to remember the victims who perished, respect the survivors still with us, and reaffirm humanity's common aspiration for mutual understanding and justice.

Statement of Commitment

The statement of commitment for HMD in the UK was created after the Stockholm Declaration was agreed. It is a simplified version of the Stockholm Declaration, and includes a commitment to remember all victims of Nazi persecution of other groups, and victims of all genocides. Many HMD activity organisers use this by arranging for participants to read from as part of their activity.

You can download copies of the statement of commitment from our website in Arabic, Bosnian, Chinese, English, Farsi, French, Gaelic, Gujurati, Hebrew, Polish, Urdu, Welsh and Yiddish.

we recognise that the Holocaust shook the foundations of modern civilisation. Its unprecedented character and horror will always hold universal meaning

we believe the Holocaust must have a permanent place in our nation's collective memory. We honour the survivors still with us, and reaffirm our shared goals of mutual understanding and justice

we must make sure that future generations understand the causes of the Holocaust and reflect upon its consequences. We vow to remember the victims of Nazi persecution of other groups and of all genocides

we value the sacrifices of those who have risked their lives to protect or rescue victims, as a touchstone of the human capacity for good in the face of evil

we recognise that humanity is still scarred by the belief that race, religion, disability or sexuality make some people's lives worth less than others'. Genocide, anti-semitism, racism, xenophobia and discrimination still continue. We have a shared responsibility to fight these evils

we pledge to strengthen our efforts to promote education and research about the Holocaust and other genocides. We will do our utmost to make sure that the lessons of such events are fully learnt

we will continue to encourage Holocaust remembrance by holding an annual UK Holocaust Memorial Day. We condemn the evils of prejudice, discrimination and racism. We value a free, respectful, and democratic society

Statement of Commitment in alternative languages

International links
International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA)
IHRA is an intergovernmental body whose purpose is to place political and social leaders' support behind the need for Holocaust education, remembrance and research both nationally and internationally. Sir Eric Pickles is the United Kingdom Special Envoy for post-Holocaust issues, and leads the UK delegation to IHRA, which HMDT is proud to be a part of.
The Holocaust and the United Nations Outreach Programme
The Outreach Programme was created in 2005 at the request of the United Nations General Assembly to remind the world of the lessons to be learnt from the Holocaust in order to help to prevent future acts of genocide.

Based in Jerusalem, Yad Vashem is the Jewish people's living memorial to the Holocaust and the world centre for documentation, research, education and commemoration of the Holocaust.
United States Holocaust Memorial Museum
The USHMM is one of the largest and most respected Holocaust memorial museums in the world.
USC Shoah Foundation Institute for Visual History and Education
Inspired by his experience making the film Schindler's List, Steven Spielberg established the Survivors of the Shoah Visual History Foundation in 1994 to gather video testimonies from survivors and other witnesses of the Holocaust. The collection is now in the care of the University of Southern California.
Anne Frank House
The Anne Frank House brings Anne Frank's story to the attention of people all over the world; encouraging them to reflect on the dangers of antisemitism, racism and discrimination and the importance of freedom, equal rights and democracy. Their website contains free online resources.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Holocaust Memorial Day Trust | The Stockholm Declaration

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Holocaust Memorial Day was created on 27 January 2000, when representatives from 46 governments around the world met in Stockholm to discuss Holocaust education, remembrance and research. At the end of this meeting, all attendees signed a declaration committing to preserving the memory of those who have been murdered in the Holocaust.

# data[].attributes.body
What is an HMD activity?

Holocaust Memorial Day activities bring people together on or around 27 January to remember the millions of people who were murdered or whose lives were changed beyond recognition during the Holocaust, Nazi Persecution and in subsequent genocides in Cambodia, Rwanda, Bosnia and Darfur.

HMD activities can be organised in many different ways; be inspired by some of the ways people have commemorated the day. HMD activities have taken place in libraries, schools, cinemas, town halls, shopping centres, places of worship, shops and universities.

Who can organise an HMD activity?

Anyone can organise an HMD activity. People from different communities and organisations all over the UK organise meaningful activities each year. Read our advice on tailoring your HMD activity to your audience.

Does my activity have to be on 27 January?

HMD is marked on 27 January because this is the anniversary of the liberation of the largest Nazi concentration camp, Auschwitz-Birkenau, by Soviet troops in 1945. Most HMD activities take place close to this date, but can be organised whenever works best for your audience.

Why should I get involved in marking HMD?

People who organise HMD activities bring their community together to remember the Holocaust and genocides which followed. Marking HMD changes not just what people know about the Holocaust and genocide, but also how they think and feel about people affected by persecution, and has led people to take action to protect others at risk of discrimination today. Find out how you can get involved in marking HMD.

I am a teacher and want to teach a class on the Holocaust. Can you help?

Yes we can! We have a range of resources available for Primary, Secondary and SEND teachers, including assemblies, lesson plans, tutor time activities and life stories. Learn more about the resources and support available to teachers on our schools page here. If you have a specific question and require further support, you can email the Education Officer on education@hmd.org.uk.

You can also find some helpful information at sister organisations – see our ‘useful links’ page here.

I’d like to invite a survivor to speak at my event – can you help me organise this?

Listening to a survivor of the Holocaust, Nazi persecution or a subsequent genocide recount their testimony is a hugely powerful experience, and participants at HMD events are likely to have a profound reaction to hearing it.

We don’t arrange for survivors to speak at events, but we do provide a list of organisations who can arrange this. With thousands of activities taking place for HMD each year, it is impossible for every event to invite a survivor to share their experiences in person. Instead, you could still include the testimony of a Holocaust or genocide survivor in your activity by reading a life story, playing a podcast or showing a film of a life story.

What can I do to continue the messages of HMD beyond the day/my activity?

The impact of your HMD activity can last for longer than HMD itself – your activity may lead to other activities, it may inspire different behaviours or attitudes, and it can have a lasting impact on participants.  HMD provides an important opportunity to reflect on the atrocities of history in the context of our lives today, a reminder of the importance of challenging hatred and discrimination. After your activity you could encourage people to follow Holocaust Memorial Day Trust online, on Facebook and Twitter, where we regularly post about other days and events throughout the year.

Have you got any images I can put in my PowerPoint presentation?

Yes, using images is a powerful way to share the messages raised by HMD at your activities. We have collections of images which you are allowed to use, so long as you do not edit or crop the images and you must supply copyright information as requested. Please read the captions for each photograph.

In our guidelines for teachers, we share advice on using images for your HMD event, which it may be helpful to read

# data[].attributes.body
What is the appropriate tone for my activity?

An HMD activity remembers the millions of people murdered in the Holocaust, under Nazi Persecution of other groups and in genocides that followed in Cambodia, Rwanda, Bosnia and Darfur. Any commemoration of HMD needs to be respectful. For educators or anyone working with young people, we recommend reading our guidelines for teachers.

You can also take inspiration from how others have organised their HMD activities. If you need any specific guidance please get in touch.

Are there certain things I should include in my HMD activity?

All HMD activities have one thing in common – they remember and make reference to the experience of people murdered during the Holocaust, Nazi Persecution and subsequent genocides in Cambodia, Rwanda, Bosnia and Darfur.

One of the most effective ways to do this is by the inclusion of a life story of someone persecuted, either by speaker, film or podcast in your activity. We also have activity ideas and images, films and case studies you can use for your HMD activity in our resources section.

What is antisemitism?

HMDT endorses and promotes the IHRA Working Definition of Antisemitism. This definition was adopted in May 2016 and was the product of an international effort to define antisemitism (anti-Jewish hatred) and provide illustrative examples. You can read the definition here.

I’d like to refer to the experience of the victims of other atrocities in my activity – can I do this?

Commemorating the Holocaust, Nazi persecution of other groups and more recent genocides should form the centre of your HMD activity, but HMD also provides an opportunity to think about other atrocities. These could include historical atrocities in the context of our lives today (e.g Armenia, the Holodomor), and / or current atrocities (such as persecution of Uighur Muslims or the Yazidi community). These are a reminder of the importance of challenging hatred and discrimination. Please contact us if you have any questions about this.

Can my HMD activity make reference to the current refugee crisis?

It is important that commemoration of the Holocaust, Nazi Persecution and subsequent genocides is at the centre of your HMD activity. However, many people affected by the Holocaust, Nazi Persecution and genocides in Cambodia, Rwanda, Bosnia and Darfur have rebuilt their lives in the UK after seeking sanctuary here, so share some experiences with refugees today.

HMD is an opportunity to remind ourselves that the people seeking to come to the UK today are human beings, many of whom are fleeing from genocide, conflict and/or persecution.

Can I use HMD to make comparisons between the Holocaust and the current situation in Israel/Palestine?

No. We do not condone equivocation between the Holocaust and the current situation between Israel and Palestine. HMD is a time to remember people who were murdered or had their lives changed irrevocably in the Holocaust, Nazi Persecution of other groups and during the more recent genocides in Cambodia, Rwanda, Bosnia and Darfur. HMD should reflect that purpose.

# data[].attributes.body
Is HMD just for Jewish people?

No, HMD is a day for everyone. The Holocaust was a tragically defining episode of the 20th Century and its unprecedented character will always hold universal meaning. People from all parts of the UK and of all ethnicities, religions and interests come together to mark HMD.

Holocaust Memorial Day was created in 2000 when 46 governments signed the Stockholm Declaration. The United Nations also marks 27 January as an annual International Day of Commemoration to remember the victims of the Holocaust.

What is the difference between HMD and Yom HaShoah?

Holocaust Memorial Day is sometimes confused with Yom HaShoah, which is a date in the Jewish calendar to mourn the loss of those murdered during the Holocaust. It is a day for internal reflection, often held within the synagogue or the wider Jewish community. To find out more visit the Yom HaShoah website.

Holocaust Memorial Day (HMD) is a time for everyone to remember the millions of people murdered in the Holocaust, under Nazi Persecution and in the genocides which followed in Cambodia, Rwanda, Bosnia and Darfur. People from all parts of the UK and of all ethnicities, religions and interests come together on and around 27 January to mark HMD.

What makes genocide different from other wars/atrocities/conflicts?

On 9 December 1948 The Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide, defined genocide as ‘any of the following acts committed with intent to destroy, in whole or in part, a national, ethnical, racial or religious group, as such:

killing members of the group

causing serious bodily or mental harm to members of the group

deliberately inflicting on the group conditions of life calculated to bring about its physical destruction in whole or in part

imposing measures intended to prevent births within the group

forcibly transferring children of the group to another group

Find out more about the term genocide here.

Why does HMD only recognise the atrocities which occurred during the Holocaust, under Nazi Persecution and in Cambodia, Rwanda, Bosnia and Darfur as genocides?

After the Holocaust, on 11 December 1946 the General Assembly of the United Nations resolved that genocide was a crime under international law and you can read about the origin and meaning of the term genocide here.

The UN has established tribunals and the International Criminal Court (ICC) have pursued perpetrators in Cambodia, Rwanda, Bosnia and Darfur for crimes of genocide. Genocide cases continue to be tried at the Extraordinary Chambers of the Court of Cambodia. Over two decades the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda indicted 93 individuals were indicted for genocide and other serious violations of international humanitarian law committed in 1994. In 2004 the Appeals Chamber of the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia ruled that the 1995 Srebrenica massacre constituted genocide. In 2010 Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir was indicted with three counts of genocide by the International Criminal Court, for his role in ordering Sudan’s genocide in Darfur and countrywide persecution and atrocities.

The UK Government recognises the term genocide as applicable to the Holocaust, the 1994 killings in Rwanda (as found by the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda) and the 1995 massacre at Srebrenica, and is monitoring the outcome of the tribunals relating to Cambodia and Darfur.

Why aren’t genocides which took place before the Holocaust commemorated on HMD?

Holocaust Memorial Day commemorates the Holocaust, Nazi Persecution, and the subsequent genocides in Cambodia, Rwanda, Bosnia and Darfur. The Holocaust was one of the defining episodes in history and shook the foundations of civilisation. It prompted the first international coordinated response to such crimes and led to the establishment of the new international crime of genocide.

Holocaust Memorial Day was set up to commemorate the Holocaust, and to reflect on atrocities that have taken place subsequently that demonstrate humanity’s failure to learn the lessons of the Holocaust.

# data[].attributes.body
How can I make a donation to HMDT?

HMDT is a registered charity (charity number: 1109348). You can make a one-off or monthly donation to support our work here. Donations can be made online, by post of by bank transfer. To find out more about how to leave a legacy to HMDT in your will, please click here.

How is HMDT funded?

Our work has been funded by the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (previously Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government) since 2007. Since 2019, HMDT has benefited from additional funding which has enabled us to expand the scope and reach of our work throughout the UK. Support has come from regional governments, trusts and foundations and individual supporters. HMDT’s Registered Charity Number is 1109348.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Our HMD education guidelines for teachers cover age appropriate ways to introduce and discuss the Holocaust and genocide in schools. We recommend that only children aged eight years or more should take part in your HMD activity.

We have a wide range of resources to help you and your students mark Holocaust Memorial Day. These include:

Click below to explore our resources. For resources specifically for schools, select the 'schools materials' resource type, further refining your search by phase - primary, secondary or SEND. There are a wide range of other resources also suitable for young people, such as creative activities, films and poems, which you can explore using the filter. All of our resources are designed to be engaging and accessible for a wide range of ages and abilities.
Search resources
These resources can be easily combined with your existing timetable of activities and lessons. You could have a student read out a poem for HMD during an assembly or collective worship. An assembly on HMD could lead to classes reading a life story in their literacy lessons. There are many ways to integrate HMD into the school day. You can read about how schools have marked HMD in previous years here.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Holocaust Memorial Day Trust | Primary Schools

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Holocaust Memorial Day (HMD) on 27 January is the day to remember the millions of people murdered in the Holocaust, under Nazi Persecution and in the genocides in Cambodia, Rwanda, Bosnia, and Darfur. Holocaust Memorial Day Trust (HMDT) is the charity which promotes and supports HMD in the UK.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
We recommend that teachers begin by reading our HMD education guidelines for teachers. Our resources are free to download and include assemblies, lesson plans and activities which you can deliver straight away. Our resources are designed to be accessible for all ability groups.

These include:

Click below to search our resources. For resources specifically for schools, select the 'schools materials' resource type, further refining your search by sector - primary, secondary and SEND phases. There are a wide range of other resources also suitable for young people, such as creative activities, films and poems, which you can explore using the filter. Our resources are designed to be engaging and accessible for a wide range of ages and abilities.
Search resources
All our resources can be easily combined with your existing timetable of activities and lessons. For example, our tutor time activities could be used in one tutor time session on HMD itself, or all five across a week. An assembly on HMD could lead to classes reading a life story in their English or History lessons. There are many ways to integrate HMD into the school day. You can read about how schools have marked HMD in previous years here.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Holocaust Memorial Day Trust | Secondary Schools

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Holocaust Memorial Day (HMD) on 27 January is the day to remember the millions of people murdered in the Holocaust, under Nazi Persecution and in the genocides in Cambodia, Rwanda, Bosnia, and Darfur. Holocaust Memorial Day Trust (HMDT) is the charity which promotes and supports HMD in the UK.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Our HMD education guidelines for teachers cover age appropriate ways to introduce and discuss the Holocaust and genocide in schools. We recommend that only children at Key Stage 2 development level or higher should take part in your HMD activity.

We have a wide range of resources to help you and your students to mark Holocaust Memorial Day. These include:

Click below to search our resources. For resources specifically for schools, select the 'schools materials' resource type, further refining your search by sector - primary, secondary and SEND phases. There are a wide range of other resources also suitable for young people, such as creative activities, films and poems, which you can explore using the filter. Our resources are designed to be engaging and accessible for a wide range of ages and abilities.
Search resources
There are many ways to integrate HMD into the school day. You can read about how schools have marked HMD in previous years here.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Holocaust Memorial Day Trust | SEND Schools

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Holocaust Memorial Day (HMD) on 27 January is the day to remember the millions of people murdered in the Holocaust, under Nazi Persecution and in the genocides in Cambodia, Rwanda, Bosnia, and Darfur. Holocaust Memorial Day Trust (HMDT) is the charity which promotes and supports HMD in the UK.

# data[].attributes.headline
How we ensure young people continue to be taught about the Holocaust and the lessons it teaches us today - The Education Hub (blog.gov.uk)

# data[].attributes.subject
How we ensure young people continue to be taught about the Holocaust and the lessons it teaches us today - The Education Hub (blog.gov.uk)

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Every January we stop to reflect on Holocaust Memorial Day.

Education has a vital role in eradicating antisemitism and making sure young people are aware of the atrocities of the Holocaust.

Unless we all actively try to understand the horrors of the past, why they happened and apply that understanding to today, we risk not spotting signs of hatred and the seeds of further atrocities.

Here we look at what is being done to teach about the Holocaust in schools and combat antisemitism.

Are children taught about the Holocaust in schools?

Every young person should learn about the Holocaust to help understand why and how it happened, and how that is relevant today.

In recognition of its significance, the Holocaust is the only historic event which is compulsory within the history curriculum. Pupils must be taught about it at Key Stage 3 (usually when pupils are aged 13-14).

The Holocaust has been a named topic within the history curriculum since the first curriculum of 1991.

Are there other projects available to help support teaching of the Holocaust?

We also support school pupils' and teachers' understanding of the Holocaust by providing funding for the following:

The Holocaust Educational Trust's Lessons from Auschwitz project - this project gives post-16 students the opportunity to learn about the Holocaust and consider its relevance for today. As part of the project, students visit Auschwitz-Birkenau to learn about the history of the Holocaust and the role of camps such as Auschwitz-Birkenau. They also reflect on the relevance of the Holocaust today and share their learning with others. Holocaust Educational Trust - Lessons from Auschwitz Project (het.org.uk)

UCL's Centre for Holocaust Education - this is the only specialist institute supporting teachers on Holocaust education in the classroom. The Centre brings together large-scale national research with educational approaches, activities and materials that respond to the challenges of teaching and learning about this highly complex and emotive subject.

What else do you do to help combat antisemitism and bullying more widely in schools?

The Department has published advice and guidance on preventing and tackling bullying in schools.

This is supported by Respectful School Communities, a self-review and signposting tool to support schools to develop a whole-school approach.

We also continue to support schools through our anti-bullying grants worth over £1million and regularly publish information on the Against Hate website, providing teachers with resources and tools to identify, challenge and prevent radical views.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
How we ensure young people continue to be taught about the Holocaust and the lessons it teaches us today

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Every January we stop to reflect on Holocaust Memorial Day. Education has a vital role in eradicating antisemitism and making sure young people are aware of the atrocities of the Holocaust. Unless we all actively try to understand the horrors ...

# data[].attributes.headline
Where can you learn more about the Holocaust and genocides?

# data[].attributes.subject
Where can you learn more about the Holocaust and genocides?