Holocaust Survivor inspires pupils at The Manchester Grammar School
27 January is The International Holocaust Remembrance Day. Last week The Manchester Grammar School was delighted to welcome British Empire Medal (BEM) recipient and Holocaust survivor Ike Alterman, aged 95, to the school.
Mr Alterman was recognised in the King’s first birthday honours list in 2023 for his outstanding work in educating the public about the atrocities of the Holocaust. His visit to The Manchester Grammar School left an indelible impact, inspiring students and reinforcing the importance of understanding historical realities.
Mr. Alterman survived four concentration camps and death camps and a Nazi death march as a child before being liberated by Russian forces on 9 May 1945. Having lost both of his parents in the Holocaust, Mr. Alterman arrived in the UK with over 700 Jewish orphans, settling in Manchester. Despite the challenges he faced, he went on to have a successful career as a jeweller, retiring in his 70s.
The Windermere Children arrived in August 1945, seeking refuge at the Calgarth Estate near Lake Windermere in Cumbria. Once a Royal Air Force base, this location was repurposed to provide a safe and nurturing environment for the children to embark on their journey of physical and emotional recovery.
During his recent visit to The Manchester Grammar School, Ike captivated pupils with his personal account, emphasising the importance of empathy, tolerance, and helping those in need. His inspirational talk aimed to ensure that the pupils understand the historical context of the Holocaust and the lessons it provides for building a compassionate society. Mr. Alterman spoke about the importance of helping all people in need, as he lost the entirety of his family during the Holocaust.
The school is honoured to have hosted Mr. Alterman, providing its students with a unique opportunity to learn from a living witness to history and be inspired to make a positive impact on the world.
