Watford FC Academy’s Holocaust Memorial Project was rounded off by an informative talk with Holocaust survivor Steven Frank as part of a visit organised by the Holocaust Educational Trust (HET).
The project, launched in December, covered pre-war Jewish life, centred around the Academy’s research of József Braun, a Jewish-Hungarian footballer who represented his country 28 times. Braun’s successful football career and life was brutally cut short in 1943, dying in the Eastern Front work camps.
The Young Hornets also recorded videos using the stimulus ‘One Day’ as a beacon of hope for society, and spoke to Jewish former footballer Ronny Rosenthal about his successful career in the game, particularly with the Golden Boys.
Steven Frank was born in Zwolle, the Netherlands, in 1935 to a secular Jewish family. In a thought-provoking presentation, Steven spoke about his life before war broke out, his experience of the war including the loss of his father, and the difficulties he and his family faced during the conflict. He also recalled moving from his house to Westerbork transit camp, and eventually to Terezin, a concentration camp in Czechoslovakia.
The presentation included personal stories from the time, including a time where Steven was attacked by guard dogs and laughed at by Nazi soldiers before the dogs were eventually called off, learning how to grow tomatoes in a labour camp, and the pain at losing a friend he played chess with in Terezin.
The youngsters were engaged throughout and learned valuable lessons about a dark time in human history, concluding an important four months of research and education on the subject.
The visit is part of the Holocaust Educational Trust’s extensive all-year round outreach programme, which is available to schools across the UK.
Karen Pollock MBE, Chief Executive of the Holocaust Educational Trust, said: “The Holocaust Educational Trust educates and engages students from across the UK, from all communities, about the Holocaust, and there can be no better way than through the first-hand testimony of a survivor. Steven’s story is one of tremendous courage during horrific circumstances and by hearing his testimony, students will have the opportunity to learn where prejudice and racism can ultimately lead.
“At the Trust, we impart the history of the Holocaust to young people, to ensure that we honour the memory of those whose lives were lost and take forward the lessons taught by those who survived.”
Members of the Watford FC Jewish Supporters' Group were also in attendance for the presentation. For information about the Jewish Hornets, or to get involved, email: watfordjewishfans@gmail.com.
