I would like to share an exceptional experience that I had with you all.
This was one of the most important things that happened in my life.
My visit to Poland four years ago.
We went as a delegation from one of the companies I work with. Part of ?The March of Life? ????? ??????
All of my children had done the march during their final year of school and it has left a deep impression on them. Knowing where they came from has given them an important reason for being in Israel. Even though ?Yom Hashoah?(holocaust day) is held every year in Israel, being where it all happened magnifies the severity of the Shoah(holocaust). Because it is a very emotional trip the kids undergo a three months seminar to prepare them for this difficult visit.
Our visit was slightly different. As we were all grownups we got a brief explanation and off we went. We visited most of the camps, going everywhere with our Israeli flags, holding memorial services, saying Kaddish and just trying to fathom out how mankind could have sunk so low. Every camp has a different story. Just being there and seeing how the inmates were kept and explanations of how they were treated was horrifying.
On the forth day, when we were at Birkenau, we bumped into a delegation of officers from the I.D.F in full uniform who were also on the ?March of Life?. The pride that we felt seeing Israeli soldiers, in full uniform at the Nazi death camps was overwhelming, Of course our guides decided on a joint ceremony which was impressive to say the least. From Birkenau it was straight to Auschwitz (they are next to each other)
My grandparents and two aunts were killed in the war. We don?t know exactly where or when. Auschwitz is a memorial where everything has been neatly sorted out. If one didn?t know what happened there one would really believe it was a holiday camp. However in the room ???? ??? ?? ??? ?Everyone has a name? I cried like a baby. Anyone who wanted to give a blessing for a loved one did. When I gave my blessing I just burst into tears. It was one of the most emotional moments I have experienced. I am sure that out of the 25 people in our delegation 25 cried.
Poland, post communism, has become a modern country and it could be very easy for people to forget all the atrocities that happened there. Since being there if I hear of a child who can?t go on the march because of lack of funds I set up a trust and try to ensure that every child goes. ?This is the only way we can ensure that the world will never forget?
I debated at length (with myself) whether to post these feelings. They are very personal but I believe, with all my heart that all Jews should, should have a full understanding of that atrocity. This for me , further enhanced why I am in Israel