An audio bench, bearing the testimony of Holocaust survivor Chaim Ferster, was smashed to pieces and dumped in a frozen lake at Salford’s Clowes Park on Wednesday.
Chaim Forsten cheated death at eight concentration camps before moving to Manchester. He dedicated much of his life to speaking to thousands of schoolchildren across the country in the hope that by educating the next generation, the Holocaust would never happen again. He died in 2017.
Salford City Council created the audio bench in 2019 and placed it on the route of his daily walk as a way of paying tribute and preserving his wartime experiences.
However, on Wednesday, it was discovered that the bench had been destroyed, and the bench’s audio box ripped out. A resident reported it to their local councillor, who reported it to the police as a hate crime.
Antisemitism not confined to history books
Chaim's grandson, Marc Fertser, posted on LinkedIn about the incident. "This was not an ordinary bench. It was an audio bench, created so that anyone who wished could sit, listen, and hear my grandfather tell his story in his own words. It was placed in his favourite spot in the park — the place where he would regularly walk with his beloved dog, Blue."
"Seeing it vandalised is painful, not because of the physical damage but because of what it represents. It is a stark reminder that antisemitism is not confined to history books or memorial days. It is present, it is real, and it is increasingly finding expression within our society."
"This post is not about politics. It is not about assigning blame or seeking attention. It is about calling out something that should concern all of us, regardless of background or belief. When acts of hatred are ignored, minimised, or normalised, they do not remain isolated."
Greater Manchester Police's media spokesperson told The Jerusalem Post on Thursday that it is currently unknown who the offenders are, but that the matter is under investigation. "We take these kinds of incidents extremely seriously and are following all lines of enquiry," the spokesperson added.
The Jerusalem Post reached out to Greater Manchester Police for comment.