Teaching Holocaust Memorial Day

What is Holocaust Memorial Day?

Every year on the anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz the world comes together to mark Holocaust Memorial Day to remember the millions of people killed by the Nazi persecution and in subsequent genocides in Cambodia, Rwanda, Bosnia and Dafur. First held in January 2001 it is a day where thousands of people come together to learn about the past and take action to create a safer future.

27th January 2023

The theme for Holocaust Memorial Day 2023 is ordinary people which includes individuals who let genocide happen, those who committed genocide and those who were persecuted. A key element this year will be encouraging people to think how as individuals we can challenge prejudice today.

Resources for teaching about the Holocaust

In line with the Holocaust Memorial Day Trust’s guidance for teaching upper primary students about the Holocaust, Purple Mash is shining a light on the extraordinary people who risked their own lives to save thousands of Jewish children at the start of the Second World War. Visit the Holocaust Memorial Day category on Purple Mash to see our new resources alongside three specially rewritten chapters of renowned Holocaust Educator Mike Levy’s book “Get The Children Out: Unsung Heroes of the Kindertransport”.

Webinar

Register here for our Holocaust Memorial Day webinar at 16:00 on the 20th January for a preview of our new resources and teachers’ pack to help with planning. We are delighted that renowned Holocaust Educator and author of “Get The Children Out: Unsung Heroes of the Kindertransport” will be on hand to answer questions about his research and the extraordinary people who risked their own lives to save thousands of Jewish children. If you can't make the live webinar, register to ensure that you are sent a recording which you can watch at a convenient time.

Holocaust Memorial Day Resource Pack

Support with teaching the Holocaust at Key Stage 2 can be found in our pack produced in partnership with the Holocaust Memorial Day Trust and the Anne Frank Trust.

In the pack you will find:

• Learning Outcomes
• Dos and Don'ts for teaching about the Holocaust
• Teaching ideas and activities
• Useful links