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Holocaust Centre North is excited to announce the launch of a new series of free to attend monthly workshops for all communities in Huddersfield and Kirklees. Inspired by its own archives, collections and its very purpose of bringing together refugees and those who have been displaced - Holocaust Centre North is reaching out to the wider community from all faiths to take part in these brand-new monthly events. The Centre hopes by inviting everyone through their doors, participants can experience unity, togetherness and a shared humanity through creative arts, storytelling and the exchanging of food and traditions.
Holocaust Centre North’s Head of Communities Elanor Stannage explains: "It is very important to us as an organisation that we bring communities together and help people feel safe, welcomed and cared for. We were founded by Holocaust survivors and refugees who spoke of their deep sense of isolation when they arrived here in the UK and as it was through a creative heritage session that they began to share these stories together - we wish to continue this legacy and tradition.
"We want to extend the solidarity and care initially experienced and felt by our survivors to other people who may be feeling isolated, or who have just arrived in Huddersfield. These monthly workshops are an invitation to all - to share their voices along with our partners such as IASK (Immigration and Asylum Support Kirklees) and 6 Million +.”
By inviting communities to come together every month, over shared experiences, food and culture, Holocaust Centre North is recognising the importance of connectivity and of its role in bringing people together across communities. The aim being to share collective experiences of survival, hope and the rebuilding of lives and in doing so - reduce division and exclusion, particularly at this challenging time in the UK and the wider world.
The first in this series of monthly workshops is entitled ‘Tell me again’ and takes place at Holocaust Centre North on Thursday 25th September from 5pm. Inspired by new beginnings - the start of the new school year, the Jewish New Year (Rosh Hashanah), and the changing of the seasons from Summer to Autumn, participants of all ages are invited to come along to taste seasonal foods whilst sharing their own customs and traditions.
This inaugural monthly workshop will be followed on Thursday October 30th from 5pm with a ‘Connect and Create’ workshop. Working with artist Mandy, participants are invited to create books inspired by how their lives are interwoven with others, across generations and communities, experiences and traditions.
These monthly creative sessions are funded by Kirklees Council through the Government funding programme.
Each workshop will centre around stories, objects or photographs from the Holocaust Centre North’s archives which share a refugee experience to inspire people to tell their own stories of loss and hope.
Further workshop dates and themes will be announced via the Holocaust Centre Website
All Workshops are completely free and available to book on the website or by phone 01484 471939.
If booking is a barrier – participants are welcome to just turn up each month at Holocaust Centre North based at the University of Huddersfield and take part!
