Tami joined a delagation from FZY on the March of the Living Trip to Poland in April 2012
15/04/12
Today, I came to Poland for the first time. I was firstly shocked by what I saw in the surroundings. It was so strange to see buildings that were modern, next to buildings that were so old.
The first stop we made was at the cemetery. It was very interesting to see all these amazing Jewish people buried. All the different fantastic head stones that told stories were truly beautiful. What touched me the most was an area that was a patch of large grass, but underneath laid the bodies of holocaust survivors. It seemed to unfair that none of these people had head stones just because no one knew who exactly they were, only that they were one of us.
Warsaw Cemetery - Photo by Lauren Geisler
The whole day I was more and more shocked, however much I knew about the holocaust I still will never get over the Germans. How could they be so cruel? And for what reason? Because of faith? It makes no sense to me to be so offended by someone’s, or by a whole people’s religion.
Today was long and hard for our entire group. We didn’t sleep last night and after out flight we launched straight into the day. Although hunger and tiredness hit me extremely hard, I knew that I had no right to complain or even feel sorry for myself or any of the group, because all our ancestors went through so much for us to survive. They were starving, weak, humiliated, imprisoned, eventually diseased, eventually the animal the Germans often described. I mean really, how anyone can see it fit to complain as we stand here.
Learning about the Jewish Youth of this era was truly inspiring. The way they all came together, networked, chose not to stand and do nothing but stand up to the Germans when no one else would.
It made me so proud to be Jewish, but it also makes me sad that so many Jews today take this for granted. How can WE, as FZY, Habonim, BBYO or any other movement ensure we are a movement that moves and not a standstill landslide, letting our heritage, courage and bravery fall away with our ancestors.
It’s up to us, to remind the youth, to remind each other, how important it is to never give up, to fight for ourselves, to fight for each other and to make our ancestors proud.
We didn’t die then, we’re still here today, let’s make sure we’ll be here tomorrow.
