Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner (Commissioner), David Allen attended the Jewish Living Experience Exhibition and Holocaust Education evening at St Benedict’s School in Whitehaven, that promoted prevention, raised awareness of interfaith groups and hate crime in Cumbria.
The Jewish Living Experience Exhibition supports community cohesion, religious literacy and interfaith dialogue by working with schools to gain a greater understanding of Judaism as a living faith.
The evening started with Rabbi Adam Zagoria-Moffet introducing the various festivals and holidays within the Jewish calendar and also explaining the different traditions and diverse groups within the Jewish community. Following on from this was a unique opportunity to hear ‘Kitty’s Holocaust Survival Story’, as told through her son. This direct family connection made the story even more powerful.
Talking at the event, Commissioner, David Allen commented: “Community events, such as tonight’s Jewish Living Experience exhibition, that develop religious literacy and understanding, are vital.
“It is through knowledge and education that we develop a greater understanding of different faiths, cultures and ways of life.
“History has shown all too well, the horrific effect that ignorance, hatred and a lack of acceptance for interfaith communities can have.
“Hate Crime has absolutely no place in Cumbria so it is imperative that we stamp it out. Although hate crime has dropped by 21% in the last twelve months across the county and we are in the top six performing forces for hate crime convictions, we are not complacent.
“No one should feel unsafe in their own community, no matter their race, religion, gender, sexual orientation. Hate is bred through ignorance, which is why education and prevention is key to stopping hate in its tracks.
“Developing a greater understanding of the consequences and impact of hate crime, the part we have to play if we become ‘by-standers’ to incidents and increasing awareness of how to report hate crime are essential.
“By increasing awareness and understanding in our younger and older generations, around our multiple interfaith groups living in Cumbria, we help to create community belonging and greater tolerance - communities where we all work together and feel safe.
“As your Police, Fire & Crime Commissioner, my role is to be the voice of residents within Cumbria, in respect of the Police and Fire services – I am your voice. If any member of the public has a concern about crime in their area, or around the Constabulary or Cumbria Fire and Rescue Service, please raise it with me at commissioner@cumbria-pcc.gov.uk or call 01768 217734.”
Headteacher of St Benedict’s School, Emma Jackson, said: “Developing an understanding and respect for all cultures within our school, community and beyond is a priority and we were honoured to host this event. Over 400 of our students visited the exhibition which offered them the opportunity to learn about Jewish beliefs, customs, and practices. Their interest and enthusiasm was evidenced by their engagement and their many questions.”
Abigail Mann, who organised the exhibition, said: “The importance of this exhibition feels more poignant these days than ever before, as we find ourselves in a world where we are increasingly seeing the lessons of the past being forgotten, in an environment where hate, intolerance and mistrust are once again on the rise.
“It has never been more important that as many young people as possible have the opportunity to partake in the Jewish Living Experience Exhibition, which shows them that Jewish people, of whom many pupils would never have met before in Cumbria, are ordinary people just like them.
“By taking this exhibition into a school, we are able to provide staff and pupils the opportunity to learn about Judaism from a Rabbi and to hear first and second-hand accounts of Holocaust survivors which has a far greater impact on young people than reading about them in a book.”
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