Barnet Shul Marks Yom HaShoah with Survivor Testimony and Innovative VR Experience

Barnet Shul this week hosted a moving Yom HaShoah (Holocaust Remembrance Day) commemoration, bringing together more than 60 members of the community both in person and online to reflect, remember and bear witness.

The evening featured a dedicated youth programme led by Youth Director Ofira Brunert, giving younger members the opportunity to engage with Letters from Drancy, an immersive virtual reality experience. The award-winning film, produced by Barnet Shul member Micaela Blitz, with production company, East City Films, tells the story of Holocaust survivor Marion Deichmann, following her childhood journey across Northern Europe, her separation from her mother, her escape with the French Resistance in Paris, and memories of the D-Day bombings. The film has received critical acclaim at leading international festivals, including the London Film Festival, Venice Film Festival and SXSW in Austin, Texas, and has gained recognition for its innovative approach to Holocaust education.

Barnet Shul Youth Director, Ofira Brunert, commented on the benefit of using VR, “Now more than ever, the involvement of young people in Holocaust education is essential to ensure we never forget, and that these stories continue to be passed from generation to generation. We will increasingly rely on technology, such as virtual reality, to help achieve this, and having the opportunity to show this immersive experience allowed these young people to gain a much better understanding of this survivor’s story.”

A central part of the commemoration was a solemn candle-lighting ceremony, during which members of the community lit candles in memory of the six million Jews murdered in the Holocaust. Participants from across generations took part, reflecting the community’s shared commitment to remembrance and continuity. Barnet Councillor, David Longstaff was also in attendance and lit a candle.

Young community member, 15-year-old Ella Behar delivered a personal and poignant presentation about her great-grandmother, Eva, who fled Nazi-occupied Europe and found refuge in the United Kingdom. Several members of Ella’s family were in attendance to hear her speech, reinforcing its powerful message of survival and legacy.

The community was also honoured to welcome Holocaust survivor Hedi Argent, who shared her testimony of escaping Austria in 1939 as a child and building her life in the UK. Her powerful account served as a vital reminder of the importance of preserving first-hand survivor stories and the importance of future generations continuing to tell these stories.

Rabbi Moshe Chaim Lister of Barnet Shul commented on the event that “Yom HaShoah is a time for reflection, education and remembrance. Bringing together survivor testimony with innovative technology and youth engagement ensures that the lessons of the Holocaust continue to resonate with future generations. It was a truly memorable evening and highlighted the importance of preserving the memories of the past for generations to come.”

If other synagogues would be interested in showing the VR experience, please contact [email protected]