TWO leaders of Jewish communities in Bournemouth have highlighted the importance of Holocaust Memorial Day and admitted lessons have still not been learned from past atrocities.

A special service takes place at the BIC tomorrow afternoon to mark the international event, which commemorates those who suffered during the Holocaust as well as other genocides which have been carried out since.

Both Rabbi Maurice Michaels, of Bournemouth Reform Synagogue, and Rabbi Adrian Jesner, of Bournemouth Orthodox Synagogue, said despicable acts continue to take place to this very day, which shows more needs to be done.

"What is so very important is that Holocaust Memorial Day gives everyone the opportunity to remember a whole range of different atrocities, for example Rwanda, Burma and Cambodia," Rabbi Michaels said.

"The horrible things that happened in different times in the past are in fact still happening right now to this day. We are seeing it time and time again - take the Syrian civil war.

"Whenever there are people who look towards freedom, democracy and equality, there are autocratic governments trying to put a stop to that."

Rabbi Jesner added: "It is important people never forget that when people are silent and do nothing hatred grows."

"When people speak and people stand up, then those who try to portray this evil soon realise there are faces that are prepared to take them on. We cannot remain silent and need to speak out against extremism, antisemitism and hatred against all communities and religions."

Tomorrow's free to attend event, which starts at 2pm, includes a talk from the daughter of Holocaust survivor Lily Egbert

A young Syrian refugee, who was an English teacher in Damascus and is now a carer in the United Kingdom, will also share their story.

The Holocaust is a subject covered by schools across the country and both rabbis said it was paramount to expose the terrible acts that have taken place and tackle the subject of persecution.

"It starts off as bullying of children in school. Everyone needs to learn mutual respect for one another," Rabbi Jesner said.

"Educating children against bullying is so important. You can't turn away from it - tackling it is fundamental.

"We need to face the issue at the grassroots level to stop it from happening."

Rabbi Michaels added: "We have to start with young people so they can understand these atrocities.

"It all begins by looking to work against bullying in schools. It is the same thing on a small scale, whether that is picking on children because they are smaller or they don't like the current pop music.

"Anyone who grows up bullying in school will continue with the mentality that it is okay when they are older."