International celebrity sculptor Frances Segelman created live, via live stream, a sculpture of Mala Tribich MBE. Frances Segelman has sculpted HM The Queen, HRH Prince Philip and HRH Prince Charles.
Frances Segelman said:
My sculpture series of Holocaust survivors is some of my most important work, and I am so grateful that I have had the opportunity to sculpt the amazing Mala Tribich. Yad Vashem introduced me initially to Holocaust survivor Sir Ben Helfgott, Mala’s brother, but upon hearing how these remarkable siblings survived the Holocaust, I just knew I had to sculpt them both. The stories of the Holocaust survivors are an integral part of Jewish history, and the terrible experiences these people endured must be remembered and learnt from
Mala Tribich said:
have long admired Frances Segelman’s beautiful sculptures and have been following her amazing work. I was therefore delighted to be invited to be sculpted by her and I really look forward to this special event.
Quite apart from the privilege of being sculpted by such a talented and accomplished artist it is her motive that is really important to me. When people see the sculpture and realise that it is of a Holocaust survivor it may generate some interest and encourage them to find out more.
There are lessons to be learned from the horrors of the Holocaust, it also demonstrates what can happen when a despot rules and prejudice and discrimination are allowed to go unchecked. We must do everything in our power to prevent the Holocaust ever happening again.
Rosie Whitehouse, led the event on 20 April. Rosie is a historical researcher, Journalist, and the author of The People on the Beach: Journeys to Freedom After the Holocaust, who has extensively documented the experience of Holocaust survivors in Europe in the aftermath of the Second World War.
Rosie Whitehouse, introduced the event chatting with Mala Tribich, Holocaust Survivor and Educator and Frances Segelman, International Celebrity Sculptor.
Rosie Whitehouse, interviewed John Wood, A son of Lieutenant-Colonel Leonard Berney, a British soldier who was the first British officer to liberate Bergen-Belsen. John shared his father’s story with us, describing the shocking conditions he and his men found when his father arrived in camp. Many of them were so traumatised that they for many years, if ever, could tell of what faced them then. Leonard Berney did after some time though, and with great commitment, including the publication of a book, actively shared his experience.
Rosie Whitehouse, interviewed Simon Bentley, Chairman of Yad Vashem UK Foundation. Simon spoke about the Holocaust educational activities in the UK being organised and promoted by Yad Vashem UK Foundation.
Other areas he talked about were the Yad Vashem Travelling Exhibitions programme, Learning Resources being used in Jewish secondary schools, and the use of Yad Vashem educators, and public speakers, as well as the Guardian of the Memory Campaign and Bar Mitzvah and Bat Mitzvah twinning.
Rosie Whitehouse, interviewed Moshe Teller, Art Therapist working with Holocaust survivors and families. Moshe spoke about how Covid-19 has affected Holocaust Survivors, the challenges that the Second and Third Generation are faced with, and the impact and effectiveness of Art Therapy today.
This plaque gifted and created by sculptor Bryan Parkes. It is a very moving piece of work that shows us the fear, loneliness and isolation felt by so many Jewish children during the Holocaust and sadly this is an experience that children continue to feel during war and genocide.