"The sun is shining, the sky is deep blue, there’s a magnificent breeze, and I’m longing – really longing – for everything: conversation, freedom, friends, being alone. I long . . . to cry! I feel as if I were about to explode. I know crying would help, but I can’t cry. I’m restless. I walk from one room to another, breathe through the crack in the window frame, feel my heart beating as if to say, ‘Fulfil my longing at last . . ."

The Diary of Anne Frank, Saturday 12th February 1944

Dearest Anne

Watch now: our 2 minute film for Holocaust Memorial Day, written and performed by young people

"Dearest Anne
From the Holocaust you speak and still you inspire us,
So in the face of prejudice no power can quiet us
Dearest Anne your dedication reminds us
ordinary people shine with extraordinary brightness" 

Reflecting on how Anne Frank inspires them to challenge prejudice, Dearest Anne is a powerful spoken word piece written and performed by young people from Bill Quay Primary, Summerswood Primary and Starbank School at our Annual Lunch. To hear their powerful words, watch the film through the link below, and share their anti-prejudice message today. 

Watch film

Our Annual Lunch: available online

For those who couldn't attend our Annual Lunch in January, a recording of the full event is available online. It features a powerful candle-lighting ceremony, young people performing 'Dearest Anne', and David Baddiel in conversation with Jo Coburn on his book, Jews Don't Count.

If you would like to donate but haven't yet, please use the link here or contact [email protected]

Watch recording

Our Ambassadors mark HMD

Ambassadors across the UK took part in events to mark Holocaust Memorial Day 

Top: Lexie and James with Nicola Sturgeon. Bottom left: The 'Every Voice Matters' art installation. Bottom right: Samantha gives her speech.

Lexie and James from Mearns Castle High School attended events in the Scottish Parliament. Meeting with MSPs including First Minister, Nicola Sturgeon, they delivered powerful speeches on the theme of 'Ordinary People'.

Samantha, also from Mearns Castle High School, was at the East Renfrewshire Holocaust Memorial Day event. Presenting her reflections on HMD to key members of the community, she also heard the personal stories of two Holocaust survivors, Henry Wuga MBE and Ingrid Wuga, told by their daughter Gillian Field. 

"It has always been the Ordinary People on the side-lines, and frontlines working together to help others. So let us not be the ordinary people who stood by watching those who helped. Let us be the ordinary people who made a difference in a world that was trying to silence them. And never ever be the bystander to prejudice." - Samantha, Mearns Castle High School

Our Ambassadors from West Calder were also fortunate to attend the West Lothian Holocaust Memorial Day event.

In Tameside, Manchester young people from across 6 special schools unveiled their art installation for Holocaust Memorial Day, entitled 'Every Voice Matters'. Reflecting on the Ordinary People who helped Anne Frank and how we all can raise our voices against prejudice.

We're very proud of our Ambassadors and you can read more about their work on our here

Independent Review of our Education Programmes

We are honoured and delighted that Marie van der Zyl OBE, President of the Board of Deputies of British Jews, will be chairing the advisory group for an independent review of our education provision.

The review is part of our Restoring Trust Plan, responding to concerns raised by the Jewish community last year. It will look at how well our programmes reflect Jewish experience and address antisemitism. We are advertising here for a consultant to carry out the review. We will publish the findings of the review in late 2023.

Other members of the advisory group include Holocaust survivors Dr Agnes Grunwald Spier MBE and Dr Martin Stern MBE, and representatives from the Community Security Trust, the Jewish Leadership Council, the Holocaust Memorial Day Trust, the Scottish Council of Jewish Communities, and the UK Government.

"I'm grateful to the Anne Frank Trust for inviting me to work with community colleagues and survivors of the Shoah in overseeing this important and exciting review. The Trust has a tremendous track record of educating young people about the Holocaust and all types of prejudice. I hope we will help its education programme become even more effective, especially around antisemitism and Jewish life, so that the Trust can have strong support from across the community." - Marie van der Zyl

Free online event for schools this March

Schools are invited to join us for World Book Day and International Women's Day, with some fantastic guests.

World Book Day with Tom Palmer

Thursday 2 March 2023, 
10:00am – 11:00am
Online

An amazing online event available for Year 5/Primary 6 and above. Our guest is Tom Palmer, award wining author of over 50 books including After the War, D- Day Dog, and Arctic Star. Young people watching will join in discussion about the power of storytelling, and hear from Tom about his new book Resist which follows the story of Dutch resistance in the Nazi-occupied Netherlands. 

International Women's Day

Wednesday 8 March 2023
10:00am – 11:00am
Online

Schools are invited to join us to celebrate International Women's Day, for ages 9-15. We are joined by racing driver Caitlin Wood, the first Australian woman to compete successfully on the European stage of Motorsport. And Julia Lynch, founder of the Global Girl Project which runs leadership programs and initiatives for girls throughout the Global South. 

With plenty of time for young people to ask questions and join in the conversation, register your school today!

Welcome to the team

Starting his role as Jewish Cultural Manager we welcome Austen to the Anne Frank Trust Team

A key part of our Restoring Trust plan, we are very glad to welcome Austen to our team, guiding supporting and empowering staff and trustees to embed Jewish culture into the life of the Anne Frank Trust.  

"I am thrilled to be joining the Anne Frank Trust, whose work I have admired since its foundation.  I look forward to playing a key part in bringing the Anne Frank Trust and the Jewish Community closer together in mutual understanding and support." - Austen