“Does early life trauma biologically impact on offspring unto the Second and subsequent generations?” (with apologies to Exodus 34:7)
Jonathan Seckl trained in Medicine and Science in London and has been Professor of Medicine in Edinburgh since 1995. His research addresses the role of the stress hormone cortisol in foetal life, notably in ‘programming’ the risk of subsequent adult disease. He has described epigenetic mechanisms whereby cortisol exposure before birth, permanently changes the biology of the offspring. He has studied the impact of the Holocaust and the 9/11 atrocity on cortisol in survivors and their offspring. Recently, he ‘enjoyed’ the stress of a decade as Senior Vice-Principal at the University of Edinburgh. After Professor Seckl’s presentation, there will be an opportunity to ask questions. To book www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/transgenerational-transmission-of-trauma-with-jonathan-seckl-tickets-1058764335629
Archives for 2024
From Thursday 10th October 2024 – 2GN Family History Writing Continuation Course Online, 6:00-8:00pm
We are offering a six-week continuation course with Nick Barlay for those individuals who have completed the original course. It will give participants the opportunity to share work-in-progress, get feedback from Nick, review each others’ work, and raise questions about the challenges faced. Aspects of the course will include: Writing (representing, describing, using historical or other research), Structuring (organising, framing, finding direction), and Coping with Material. The aim is to keep the project’s momentum going, to prevent the project from stalling or anything like ‘writer’s block’ from interfering with the
process.
The maximum number of participants will be 10; minimum 4. The course will cost £120.
Dates: Thursdays, 10th, 24th October BST, 31st October and 7th, 14th and 21st, November GMT. In terms of the timings stated above, those living abroad should note that British Summer Time ends partway through.
If you are interested, please register with Nick at nickbarlay@gmail.com
To pay the fee, go to: www.familyhistorywritingcourse.co.uk
If you have any questions, please contact: info@secondgeneration.org.uk
Tuesday 5th November 6.30pm GMT – Second Generation Network’s Zoom AGM and Open Mic Session
There will be an open mic entertainment in between the various AGM reports, such as poetry reading, a song, a musical interlude. Sign up and join us in the fun. Each act should last three to four minutes. David Clark will be the MC, so do contact him at davidclark@secondgeneration.org.uk if you would like to take part.
SAVE THE DATE: Tuesday 29th October – 80th Anniversary of the Hungarian Deportations – Historical and Second and Third Generational Perspectives
The Network is currently planning a joint hybrid event with the Wiener Holocaust Library. 2024 marks the 80th anniversary of the 1944 mass deportations of Jews from the provincial areas and cities of Hungary outside the capital, 90% to be murdered upon arrival in Auschwitz. An historical perspective will be provided as well as considering the impact on the Second and Third Generations. If you would like to participate in this event by sharing your experiences and feelings about this part of your family history as a Member of the Second or Third Generation, please contact davidwirth@secondgeneration.org.uk.. Booking details to follow.
Tuesday 8th October – Part Two in our series 2G/3G and the Creative Arts – Online Event
Following the very successful Part One, where Members of the Second and Third Generations spoke about their use of theatre and music to commemorate and engage with their Holocaust heritage, on this panel we have two Second Generation visual artists: Network Member, Maarten van der Heijden and Monica Petzal. Maarten lives and works as an autonomous visual artist in Amsterdam. He graduated from the Gerrit Rietveld Art Academy Amsterdam in 2010 with works that reflect his Second Generation identity – his grandfather was murdered in Auschwitz. In 2022, he opened the Jewish Second Generation Art & Family Museum at his home in Amsterdam. He will speak about his museum, focussing on his photographic artwork and other projects, and how his Second Generation background plays a part in his work. Monica, the child of German Jewish refugee parents, studied painting at Kingston and the Royal College of Art and printmaking at the Camberwell School of Art, before co-founding The Foundation for Women’s Art and starting her own gallery ‘Printroom’. She will talk about her well known panels entitled ‘Dissent and Displacement’ and how her Second Generation roots have influenced her work. There will be time after their presentations for questions and for you to share your own experiences of using art to explore and express your own Holocaust heritage. If you missed Part One, with Roger Peltzman and Clare Fraenkel, there is a recording in the Members’ Area of the Network website.
Eventbrite link: https://Creative-Arts-Pt2.eventbrite.co.uk
Wednesday 18th September – Yesterday, Today, Tomorrow: Commemorating the 85th Anniversary of the Czechoslovak Kindertransport – SAVE THE DATE and REGISTER YOUR INTEREST
18 September 2024
at the Czech and Slovak Embassies, London
Yesterday, Today, Tomorrow: Commemorating the 85th Anniversary of the Czechoslovak Kindertransport
The Czech and Slovak Embassies are hosting an educational and social gathering to commemorate the 85th anniversary of the Czechoslovak Kindertransport on 18 September 2024.
This gathering is an opportunity for Czech and Slovak Kinder, descendants, researchers, and the general public to come together and hear about the movement of unaccompanied children in Czechoslovakia to Britain in 1939. Descendants will be able to share their stories, experiences and ask questions.
The informative part of the program will run from at 1pm to 4:30pm. Come and learn the fascinating details about the CZ-SK Kindertransport, new memorials, and related present-day response to the refugee crisis. This will be followed in the evening by a piano concert, by descendants of Kindertransportee Jiri Frank Lechner, in memory of the parents who let their children go, and reception, from 5:30pm to around 8pm, allowing plenty of time to socialise.
The first part is open to the general public; all welcome. To receive an invitation to the afternoon and evening program, please register your interest. There are limited places. No entry fee.
To register your interest, please go to: https://Czech-kt85.eventbrite.co.uk
Invitations will be sent out from the Embassy directly to the registered individuals.
If you have any questions, please email: CZSK.KT85@gmail.com
Afternoon Program for General Public (subject to change)
- Presentations
- Nicholas Winton Foundation: purposes and website
- The Czechoslovak Kindertransport and the Czech Refugee Trust Fund
- Czech and Slovak Kindertransport Memorials and Public Places
- Memorial to Barbara Winton and UK Responsive Refugee Efforts
- Panel Discussions
- Czechoslovak Kindertransport Organizers and Rescuers
- Response to the Czech Kindertransport in the Czech and Slovak Republics
- Second Generation: Letters, Photos, Stolperstein and Plenary Discussion
Supporting Organising Committee: Anita H. Grosz (Second Generation Network), Steve Watson and Laurence Watson (the Nicholas Winton Foundation), Lady Milena Grenfell-Baines, Robin Young.
We are supporting the Embassies in their efforts to provide a memorable and meaningful day to all.
Best wishes and looking forward to seeing you on the 18th.