AN EVENT was held last night to mark those who died in one of the brutal massacres of Jewish people in medieval history.
The Clifford’s Tower Commemoration event was held yesterday (March 16) to honour those who were killed in 1190 in the mass murder and suicide of 150 people, York's entire Jewish community at the time, which took place inside the tower on this day.
The event, which was attended by around forty people in person and the same on a live stream, was titled ‘For a Better Future’ and offered new insight into the Jewish community from that time period and the challenges that we face in the modern day.
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Opened by Lord Mayor Margaret Wells, speakers aimed to ‘acknowledge the past to promote unity and inclusion’ in modern day York.
She said: “York was the UK’s first human rights city – it is the city of sanctuary and it’s a title we can and do take pride in. We welcome people from all different corners of the earth.
“Each month, I personally welcome around two dozen people who have taken steps to become citizens of the UK. I tell them, in York, we respect and cherish their cultures and heritage, and that York not only welcomes them but wants to learn from them.
“It is only by learning about the past, we can build a future, and standing here tonight, we are reminded of York’s dark history where our respect and understanding was not forthcoming.”
After her speech, Dr John Jenkins: Director of the Centre for Pilgrimage Studies at the University of York took over – aiming to tell the story of individuals who built up York’s Jewish community – both at the time of the massacre and the thriving community who were involved supporting major civic projects only 41 years after the mass killings.
He said: “This fatal tragedy was shocking at the time to both Christian and Jewish chroniclers alike – it remains shocking today and should never be forgotten.”
In his speech, he shared the story of multiple individuals but focused on two: Josce and Aaron – who built major settlements in the city before and after the massacre.
Josce of York, who arrived in the city in 1176, was responsible for building the city’s first Jewish settlement and synagogue on what is now Stonebow House – the name of which was likely taken from the archway at the entrance of the property.
Aaron of York was likely one of a number of Jews who returned to the city around 1208 by the order of the King and was later involved in a number of civic rebuilding events in 1231, including giving the Guildhall to City of York Council on September 8 1231 and contributing to the Jewish Window in York Minster.
Dr Jenkins added: “We are in a position now where York has a Jewish community at its most thriving since the thirteenth century and its first resident rabbi since the thirteenth century.
“My own hope for the future is that we see York’s Jewish history as central to the development of York’s civic history and not just a tragic footnote and the city can come together in recognising that a better future is one we share together.”
After his speech, Piano Trio No.2. in E minor by Dmitri Shostakovich was played and former Lord Major and member of York Holocaust Memorial Day Steering Group Barbara Boyce spoke on her own experiences in supporting those who had settled in the city.
She said: “Thank you to everyone who does their best to make a positive difference to our communities, it’s an honour to be your friend.”
Cello Concerto in B Minor by Antoni Dvorak was then played and Jack Morris led the room in Kaddish – a traditional Aramiac prayer - before the event was closed by Chair of York Holocaust Memorial Day Steering Group Sam Borins who thanked everyone for attending.
For those who wish to watch the live stream in its entirety, the video can be found on YouTube.
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