Holocaust Memorial Event 

This event is a unique opportunity that will give students the chance to immerse themselves in one of the biggest events in history. The day is comprised of a morning workshop, led by The Sussex Weidenfeld Institute, Centre for German-Jewish Studies, which will prepare students for the highlight of the day - an opportunity to listen to and ask questions of two Holocaust survivors, who will tell their story of suffering and survival. 

Event Overview

Students will first take part in a workshop, led by an academic from The Sussex Weidenfeld Institute, Centre for German-Jewish Studies, that will explore the context around the Holocaust and set the scene within World War Two. 

After lunch, students will join the University of Sussex's annual Holocaust Memorial Day event, which will take place at the Attenborough Centre for the Creative Arts on our campus. The programme at this point will be split into two sessions. 

SESSION 1 (2pm-3.30pm):

Students will hear a talk from guest speakers, Holocaust Survivors, George Summerfield and Peter Summerfield BEM

Peter Summerfield BEM, Hon. Solicitor of the Advisory Board of the Weidenfeld Institute and his twin brother George Summerfield will speak about their experiences during the Holocaust.

Born in Berlin in 1933 to a civil servant father and dressmaker mother, George and Peter witnessed the escalating persecution of Jews, including the burning of their synagogue on Kristallnacht. After years of unsuccessful attempts to emigrate, help from their building's caretaker enabled a last-minute escape. The Summerfield brothers fled Germany as jewish refugees, four days before the outbreak of World War II. Tragically many of their family members were left behind and murdered.

Their story will be followed by a question-and-answer session chaired by Professor Gideon Reuveni, Director of The Sussex Weidenfeld Institute of Jewish Studies.

If needed, schools will be able to leave the event at this point. There is the option to stay on for the final session as below:

SESSION 2 (4pm-5.15pm) OPTIONAL:

Film ‘Letter to a Pig’ (2022 Israeli-French animated short film)

Following the film screening, Tal Kantor, who wrote and directed the film, will be in discussion with Professor Victoria Grace Richardson-Walden, Professor of Digital Memory, Culture and Heritage, Deputy Director of the Sussex Weidenfeld Institute of Jewish Studies and Lital Henig, Isaacsohn and André Visiting Fellow, Weidenfeld Institute.