Second Generation Network

For the children and families of survivors of and refugees from Nazi persecution

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Discussion Groups

Monday 3rd April – Being Second-Third Generation: Awareness, Challenges, Gains.   

A previous discussion meeting was held last year to examine emotional patterns arising from having parents or grandparents who suffered trauma, led by Ido van der Heijden, a clinical psychologist and psychotherapist, who outlined common emotional patterns passed down the generations. How that expresses itself will differ, but there are also common themes.

 This time, there will be the opportunity to discuss certain themes in smaller break-out groups, so that everyone has a chance to contribute and participate. Each group will examine some of the following themes: anger, guilt and lack of trust, self-doubt and identity issues, anxiety and depression, difficulty in expressing feelings and emotions. 

Ido van der Heijden will start us off with a brief summary of the psychological background of these (pseudo) inherited patterns and how we can work with ourselves to give these patterns less power. After which there will be 30 minutes in break-out groups, followed by 30 minutes report back and discussion in the wider group. Start time: 6:30pm BST, via Zoom.                                                  The registration link is: https://being-second-third-generation.eventbrite.co.uk

Tuesday 10th January – Discussion Group: Holocaust Memorial Day ‘Ordinary People’

The January Discussion Group will focus on the 2023 HMD theme of ‘Ordinary People’. Were the victims, perpetrators, rescuers and bystanders all ordinary people? A chance for members of the Second and Third Generations to share their thoughts and experiences. The Discussion Group meetings are for members of the Second and Third Generations. Numbers are limited and Network Members will be given priority.
A  Zoom link will be provided. Start time: 6.20pm for 6.30pm GMT to give everyone time to set up and check their Zoom connection. If you would like to attend please email: davidwirth@secondgeneration.org.uk

Tuesday 13th September – Discussion Group: The Transmission of Intergenerational Trauma and the Resultant Emotional Patterns

This discussion will be introduced by one of our Dutch Network Members Ido van der Heijden, who is a trained psychologist and psychotherapist. The focus will be on the psychological issues connected with being raised by First or Second Generation Holocaust survivors. Ido will give a brief summary of different emotional patterns that are known to be connected with having a parent with a traumatic past. An example is a difficulty in setting boundaries in relationships. Ido will use his own story and patterns as an example and then invite people to share theirs. Ido will provide an introduction and will talk about his experiences. The discussion group meetings are for members of the Second and Third Generations. Numbers are limited and Network members will be given priority.
A Zoom link will be provided. Start time: 6.20pm for 6.30pm BST to give everyone time to set up and check their Zoom connection. If you would like to attend please email: davidwirth@secondgeneration.org.uk

Tuesday 12th July – Discussion Group: Publishing the Holocaust – Follow-up and Feedback

Three Network Members Irving Adler, David Clark and Julie Nelki will provide an introduction, outlining their experiences. The discussion group meetings are for members of the Second and Third Generations. Numbers are limited and Network members will be given priority.
A Zoom link will be provided. 6.20pm for 6.30pm BST to give everyone time to set up and check their Zoom connection. If you would like to attend a meeting please email: davidwirth@secondgeneration.org.uk 

Tuesday 7th June – 2g/3g Dialogue: The World War II Holocaust of Sinti and Roma (Sarmudaripen) – A Personal Account of its Impact

Daniela Abraham (Third Generation) from the Sinti Roma Holocaust Memorial Trust will be describing her family’s experience during WWII and the impact this and continuing persecution has had on her life. There will be an opportunity for 2g/3g Sinti, Roma and Network Members to discuss our common experiences. This will be a hybrid meeting – in person at the Wiener Holocaust Library and on Zoom. It is open only to Network Members and those invited from the 2g/3g Sinti and Roma community. Numbers are limited. Start time 6.20pm for 6.30pm BST. If you would like more information and or to attend this meeting, please email elainesinclair@secondgeneration.org.uk

Tuesday 10th May – Discussion Group Meeting: Insiders? Outsiders? – Where Do We Belong?

Where if anywhere do we feel we belong?  Network Member David Gordon will introduce this subject with reflections on his experience of the impact of belonging on identity. This meeting, open to Members of the Second and Third Generations, is a chance to share our stories of similar experiences.
Start time 6.20pm for 6.30pm BST to give everyone time to set up and check their Zoom connection. Numbers are limited and Network members will be given priority. If you would like to attend this meeting, please email davidwirth@secondgeneration.org.uk. A Zoom link will be provided.