Students hear from Holocaust survivor..!

As part of a Shared Education Project, schools from throughout the local area were honoured to host a visit from Tomi Reichental, a survivor of the Holocaust.
By The Newsroom
Published 28th Oct 2019, 10:55 BST
Suzanne Harrison, History Department (back row far left) Chris Gardner, Executive Office ( back row -middle), Ruth Galwey, Executive Office (back row far right) Tomi Reichental (front left) Anne Anderson, Principal (front row middle) students from Newry High School, Banbridge High School, St Patricks College, New-Bridge Integrated College and Banbridge AcademySuzanne Harrison, History Department (back row far left) Chris Gardner, Executive Office ( back row -middle), Ruth Galwey, Executive Office (back row far right) Tomi Reichental (front left) Anne Anderson, Principal (front row middle) students from Newry High School, Banbridge High School, St Patricks College, New-Bridge Integrated College and Banbridge Academy
Suzanne Harrison, History Department (back row far left) Chris Gardner, Executive Office ( back row -middle), Ruth Galwey, Executive Office (back row far right) Tomi Reichental (front left) Anne Anderson, Principal (front row middle) students from Newry High School, Banbridge High School, St Patricks College, New-Bridge Integrated College and Banbridge Academy

Tomi’s moving testimony was spoken to students from New-Bridge Integrated College, St Patrick’s College, Banbridge High School, Newry High School and Banbridge Academy coinciding with the Holocaust Memorial Day Celebrations.

Tomi was born in Czechoslovakia in 1935 to Jewish farmers and lived with his family on their farm until the age of eight.

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At this stage laws were put in place that prohibited the movement and rights of Jewish people.

Visiting Staff from St Patricks College, Newry High School, Banbridge High School and New-Bridge Integrated College with Tomi ReichentalVisiting Staff from St Patricks College, Newry High School, Banbridge High School and New-Bridge Integrated College with Tomi Reichental
Visiting Staff from St Patricks College, Newry High School, Banbridge High School and New-Bridge Integrated College with Tomi Reichental

Tomi’s family went into hiding but unfortunately Tomi, his mother, grandmother and brothers were arrested and taken to Bergen-Belsen concentration camp in 1944 where they stayed for months until the camp was liberated by the British in 1945.

Tomi is well known for his talks about his experience of The Holocaust as a child.

He is one of only three Holocaust survivors currently residing in Ireland.

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His dream is to give the talks to educate people, both young and old, about what happened during the Holocaust to remember the people who died in the hope that it never happens again.

Sixth Form Students Joel Routledge and Lauren Wright make presentation to Tomi ReichentalSixth Form Students Joel Routledge and Lauren Wright make presentation to Tomi Reichental
Sixth Form Students Joel Routledge and Lauren Wright make presentation to Tomi Reichental

The event was held at to New-Bridge Integrated College and the Principal Mrs Anne Anderson praised Tomi and his courage.

She added: “As the decades move on - we recognise the vital importance and unique opportunity we are given to hear Tomi’s testimony personally.

“Tomi is truly inspiring and it is crucial for our future generations to ensure lessons are learned and events are never repeated.”

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