Alex Maws '89 Reflects on the Holocaust in Powerful Chapel Talk

Belmont Hill welcomed alumnus Alex Maws ’89 to speak in chapel on Monday, April 29. Mr. Maws is the Head of Education and Heritage at the Association of Jewish Refugees (AJR). He champions and evaluates Holocaust educational programs across the UK and is also the producer and host of the AJR’s Kindertransport podcast. He is a member of the UK delegation to the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) and regularly trains teachers and policymakers internationally on issues relating to the Holocaust and antisemitism. 

Mr. Maws was introduced by his nephew, Charlie Maws ’26. He spoke to the boys about the Holocaust in the context of his own family history. “The family of almost every Jewish person you know has trauma in it,” he explained to the boys. “Our family trees are missing entire branches.” He closed by explaining that a key theme in Jewish history has been the struggle for Jewish people in many countries to peacefully exist there as Jews. “Are we allowed to be Jewish at the same time as being Polish or Russian or American without those identities being seen as in conflict with one another?” he asked.  “Without it being seen as a problem that needs to be corrected? I don't expect you to be able to easily answer that. But maybe you will leave here with some new questions to think about. I very much hope that you will.”