Holocaust survivortells of true horror

Organised by the Holocaust Educational Trust, the visit by Zigi Shipper – who was sent to the Auschwitz-Birkenau concentration camp in 1944 – is reckoned set to leave a powerful impression of where racism can lead.
 His trip to Cumbernauld comes at the same time as a warning from leading Episcopalian minister, the Very rev Kelvin Holdworth, about what he sees as an alarming rise in anti-Semitism and also Islamophobia.

The cleric, who is Provost of St Mary’s Episcopal Cathedral in Glasgow, said in an Easter message: “If Jewish people don’t feel safe in our society, as Jewish people in Scotland apparently don’t feel safe, then all people of goodwill need to commit themselves to build a world where every community feels secure.”

Academy head teacher Mark Cairns said of Mr Shipper’s forthcoming visit: “It is a privilege for us to welcome Zigi Shipper to our school and his testimony will remain a powerful reminder of the horrors so many experienced.

“We hope that by hearing Zigi’s testimony, it will encourage our students to learn from the lessons of the Holocaust and make a positive difference in their own lives.”

Karen Pollock MBE, chief executive of the Holocaust Educational Trust said: “Zigi’s story is one of tremendous courage during horrific circumstances.

“At the Trust, we honour the memory of those whose lives were lost and take forward the lessons taught by those who survived.”