CANDLES fluttered outside Clifford's Tower, in York, as a solemn crowd gathered at a vigil to mark Holocaust Memorial Day.
About 60 people listened as prayers were said to commemorate the occasion, which remembers all communities persecuted in the Nazi Holocaust - along with other cases of genocide such as those in Rwanda and Kosovo.
"We are here this evening as a mark of respect to those who died during the atrocities of the Holocaust and Nazi persecution," said the Lord Mayor of York, Coun Janet Hopton, who attended the event on Saturday evening.
The vigil opened with comments by York Unison secretary Ben Drake. Rudi Levor, chairman of the Bradford Reform Synagogue, sang The Kaddish and El Maleh Rachamim, and York Jewish community member Geoffrey Cantor spoke to the congregation about the Jewish massacre at Clifford's Tower in 1190. On March 16 of that year, York Jews took refuge in the wooden tower where Clifford's Tower now stands, after they were set upon by a mob. The tower was set alight and some Jews inside committed suicide, while others were killed. According to one account, 150 Jews died.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article