THE SON of Viennese Jewish refugees will explain how the Nazi Holocaust affected his family during a moving and emotional evening tomorrow.
Reading Borough Council is holding annual evening to mark Holocaust Memorial Day will be held both in person and online, and Tom Lake is one of two guest speakers.
Born between the end of the Second World War in Europe and the Far East, he is now retired.
Also speaking is Professor Dan Stone, a professor of modern history and the director of the Holocaust Research Institute at Royal Holloway University in London.
The event, which is jointly organised by the Alliance for Cohesion and Racial Equality (ACRE), is supported by the Reading Hebrew Congregation, Maidenhead Synagogue, Reading Refugee Support Group, and the Berkshire Rwandese Community.
The free event will be a mix of live and online elements, including speakers, choral performances, and an address from Mr Lake. It has the theme of One Day.
The aim is to allow people to remember and learn about the Holocaust, Nazi persecution and the genocides that have followed since.
The evening will also feature a candle lighting and memorial ceremony, The Maidenhead Synagogue Choir, and The Impact of Hate speech by Prof Stone.
Reading Borough Council leader Jason Brock said: “Holocaust Memorial Day allows us to reflect on the lives tragically lost during the Holocaust, and in genocides that have followed across the world.
“It is a vital opportunity to learn and raise awareness, just as it also offers a chance to reflect on how to chart a way forward that seeks to bring us all together in the common pursuit of a safer, better future.”
He added: “I’d like to encourage residents to join the ceremony online via our Facebook page, and if they are able, light a candle to illuminate the darkness to remember those who were murdered for who they were, and stand against prejudice and hatred in society today.”
This was echoed by Victor Koroma, general manager at ACRE, who said: “In this post-truth world that we are now living, hate speech and disregard of the impact on minority communities, especially those defined by ethnicity, and religion continue to be underestimated and dismissed as ‘woke’.
“ACRE continues to call on Reading residents to stand together and protect the most vulnerable in our society.”
The event will begin at 7.30pm in the Council chamber with seats limited to 30, and will be live-streamed on the Reading Council Facebook page: www.facebook.com/Readingcouncil.
Places are free but must be booked in advance and will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis. No walk-ins on the night will be accepted.
For further information and to register for a place, email: events@reading.gov.uk.
