By Joshua Robinson – 

Dedicated to telling the global story of the Holocaust through a northern Lens, the Holocaust Centre North is continually seeking to expand its vital and unique archive collections.

This October, as Jewish families around the world gather in places of worship and homes to observe the Jewish New Year, the Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur), the Harvest Festival of Succot, and the celebration of Simchat Torah, the Centre is particularly interested in hearing from families who may have personal items connected to these Festivals or Fasts that they would consider donating.

Photographs, small mementos, treasured object, greeting cards, letters wishing family a Happy New Year, or perhaps written when celebrations were impossible yet loved ones were in mind, even homemade recordings. Each of these items holds immense educational and historical significance and value to the Holocaust Centre. These personal treasures will be carefully collected, safeguarded, and where possible, digitised for preservation, ensuring that family histories are shared and never forgotten.

This living archive is central to the Holocaust Centre North’s permanent exhibition and its essential delivery of public engagement and teaching opportunities. Without these personal and valuable objects and archive materials, the history of the Holocaust, along with local stories of survival, hope, migration, and of building new lives in the north of England risks becoming less accessible for future generations.

Hari Jonkers Holocaust Centre North Archivist said: “We are a living archive. We have a growing collection of materials relating to the history of the Holocaust as well as telling the stories of Holocaust refugees and survivors who made the North of England their homes. Without these personal belongings, many stories would be lost and or forgotten and educating the future generation about these atrocities – particularly now that fewer survivors are alive – becomes a harder and harder task. We are so grateful for any donations as we are always seeking to enrich our understanding of pre-war Jewish life in Europe, the Holocaust and the post war lives of survivors, refugees and their families. That is why we would dearly love to gather more documents, letters, small items or photographs that represent the Jewish High Holy days. We take exceptional care of every artefact we are privileged to be gifted and look forward to hearing from anybody who may be able to share their loved ones’ stories and belongings with us for education and research.”

If anybody has any materials they would consider donating or would like to have an initial conversation with the Collections Team, Holocaust Centre North would love to hear from them and ask that they please get in touch via collections@hud.ac.uk, or call 01484 471939.

To find out more about the Holocaust Centre North, please visit: https://holocaustcentrenorth.org.uk/

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