WHO ARE WE?
Second Generation Network members, some of whom are now Third Generation, live all over the UK and are of all ages and backgrounds. Our parents or grandparents came to the UK as refugees from or survivors of Nazi persecution, usually after 1933. Some survivors and their families moved here post-war or in later years, such as 1956 or 1968, from Eastern Europe, when new waves of anti-Semitism took place. One or both of our parents usually are or were Jewish. They may have been religiously observant or not. You do not have to be Jewish yourself to be a member of Second Generation Network. The issue that links us is being ‘Second’ or ‘Third’ Generation: having had, or still having the direct experience of being from a family where either a parent or grandparent were themselves affected by Nazi persecution, though we ourselves were not. In 2014 the Network voted to open its membership to the Third Generation.
Second Generation Network was formed after two conferences were held in London in 1994 and 1995 for people whose parents or grandparents were victims of Nazi persecution during the Holocaust. A newsletter Second Generation Voice was founded in 1996 to keep participants at the conferences in contact. After several meetings the Network was formed in January 1997. Voice became Voices to reflect the range of experience and opinions amongst us, nationwide.
WHAT DO WE DO?
We meet, talk, write – see below and on the other pages: welcome!
We’re interested in and explore the effect of the Holocaust on our own lives. We have discussion/social regional groups in various parts of the UK, we produce a newsletter Second Generation Voices three times a year, we link up with other related organisations and we hold national events from time to time: the most recent was an Intergenerational Conference in London. We are totally voluntary, so if you have time and inclination, you can organise a related activity and publicise here! Do let us hear from you.
REGIONAL GROUPS
We have regular discussion meetings about subjects including the emotional legacy of growing up with a parent affected by the Holocaust. These are not therapy groups, rather opportunities to meet with people whose experiences of upbringing may have had some similarities. It can be a great relief to realise that “I’m not the only one...”. Groups meet in London, Oxford, Leeds and Manchester. We hope soon there will be one in Scotland.
Contact us if you would like more information about your local group or would like to start one.
Look out for us on Facebook!