Community
Ealing's Holocaust memorial removed after concerns raised over its wording
'The council believes that the stone did not make clear enough the impact of the Holocaust on the six million Jews'
February 2, 2023 15:02
'The council believes that the stone did not make clear enough the impact of the Holocaust on the six million Jews'
February 2, 2023 15:02The unveiling of a Holocaust memorial in Ealing’s Walpole Park was postponed at the last minute after the local council decided that further consultation on its wording was required.
A memorial stone had been installed in the park but was quickly removed. It is believed that concern was voiced over a reference to millions of dead on the inscription, without specifically mentioning Jews.
Ealing Council had planned to hold a ceremony last Friday on Holocaust Memorial Day but instead staged a remembrance event at the town hall.
According to a spokesperson: “The council believes that the stone did not make clear enough the impact of the Holocaust on the six million Jews, the millions of others murdered at the hands of the Nazi regime and the subsequent genocides.
“Faith leaders were consulted on elements of the inscription. This omission only came to the attention of the council’s cabinet towards the end of last week.”
The spokesperson acknowledged that the situation was “regrettable” but added: “The decision to review the memorial stone is the right one, so that a permanent memorial, whose message will be engraved for generations to come, is meaningful to all communities.”
Ealing United Synagogue’s Rabbi Hershi Vogel told the JC that he had been consulted by the Mayor’s office over the memorial and had “found it to be very good. The Holocaust reference is for us [Jews] so I had no problem with it..
“I have no idea who raised concerns.”
He had been “shocked” when the Mayor’s office contacted him to say the HMD ceremony was being moved.
Rabbi Vogel stressed that the shul enjoyed excellent relations with the Mayor’s office. “They’re very good on Jewish matters.”
He hoped that after consultation, the monument “will be restored as soon as possible and we’ll have a dedication at another time”.