Bring Him Home by Shai Abramson at MOTL 2024 Erev Yom HaShoah

The song “Bring Him Home” from the musical “Les Misérables,” is a moving prayer expressing a deep yearning for the return of our loved ones.As we gather, our hearts are united with those held captive in Gaza and we pray for their release and safe return home.Watch the moving performance of Lt Col Shai Abramson, IDF Chief Cantor, at the March of the Living Erev Yom HaShoah ceremony in Krakow.

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Shmuel Rosenman, 2024 Erev Yom Hashoah Ceremony

I want to begin this evening, this Erev Yom Hashoah program, by making a very short statement:For many years, it has been a common position to state that one should never compare any event, any other tragedy, to the Holocaust.And that statement is still valid today – the Holocaust remains the most unique and unprecedented tragedy in Jewish and human history.But the events of October 7th, 2023, remind of this grim fact: Those same motivations, those same evil intentions and false accusations that led to the Shoah – they are still with us today, in full force, and in full display.Indeed, the attack on Oct. 7th was carried out by terrorists who clearly stated their genocidal aims against the Jewish people.And this attack – an attack that caused the greatest loss of Jewish life since the Holocaust – occurred in the very place that was meant to be a refuge for the Jews from the Holocaust, and from acts of antisemitism.In fact, many Holocaust survivors have told us, that the events of October 7 and the resulting wave of antisemitism that has swept through world – made them feel like they were once again living through the 1930s.And this alone should cause each one of us to tremble!But, especially at this time, we must not – we dare not – yield to the forces of fear and despair.We must all believe and proclaim loudly and clearly, with one voice: The Jewish people and the state of Israel will rise again from this tragedy and build a stronger Israel, a brighter Israel, and a more unified Israel.Let me close with the words of courage and defiance, that so many survivors of the Holocaust recited here:Mir Zaynen Do! We Are Here! Anachnu Kaan!And we always will be!

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2024 March of the Living Hungary followed by Train of the Living to Auschwitz

Marking 80 years since the destruction of Hungarian Jews during the Holocaust, a March of the Living was held in Budapest…

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2024 March of the Living: Together We Remember

2024 International March of the Living The 2024 March of the Living took place against the backdrop of the 80th anniversary of the destruction of Hungarian Jews during the Shoah, the October 7th attack on Israel, and the dramatic rise in antisemitism across the globe.On the eve of Holocaust Remembrance Day, a March was held in Budapest followed the next day by the March of the Living from Auschwitz to Birkenau, 36 years since the first March took place in 1988.Israeli Singer Noa Kirel performed “Eli, Eli” and “Somewhere Over the Rainbow”. Some 60 members of her family perished in the Shoah. WATCH THE HIGHLIGHTS WATCH THE LIVESTREAM AGAIN VIEW PHOTOS Dr. Shmuel Rosenman, Chairman, and Phyllis Greenberg Heideman, President of the International March of the Living, jointly stated, “This year’s March of the Living holds profound significance, as the horrors of the past intertwine with the present ongoing nightmare faced by the State of Israel. The recent incomprehensible massacre on October 7 serves as a constant reminder of the persistent threat posed by antisemitic hatred. This year, more than ever, we understand why preserving the memory of the Holocaust is still essential. Fighting against the continuous and overwhelming wave of antisemitism, makes the March of the Living’s mission to remember more important and more relevant than ever. We will strenuously continue to teach about the history of the Holocaust, and we will continue to stand together against antisemitism.” The 36th International March of the Living on Yom HaShoah was led by 55 Holocaust survivors from countries around the world.Among them 21 Holocaust survivors from Hungary and seven Holocaust survivors who were personally impacted by the October 7th attack in Israel: Bellha Haim, grandmother of the murdered Yotam Haim, who was abducted during the attack; Danit Gabay, who was with her children in Kibbutz Re’im during the attack; Daniel Louz from Kibbutz Be’eri;  Smil Bercu Sacagiu whose home was bombed in Ashkelon; Judith Tzamir from Kibbutz Mefalsim; Jacqueline Gliksman from Kibbutz Ein HaShlosha, and Zili Wenkert, grandmother of Omer Wenkert, who was abducted from the Nova music festival. Marching alongside the Holocaust survivors will be several former hostages released from Hamas captivity, along with families of Israeli hostages, bereaved families, wounded survivors, Ashkelon mayor Tomer Glam, and the head of the Sha’ar HaNegev Regional Council Tamir Idan. The delegation of Holocaust Survivors and surviving victims from the deadly attack of October 7th was organized by the Menomadin Foundation under the leadership of Haim Taib, a third-generation Holocaust survivor from Tunisia. Following the outbreak of the Hamas-Israel War, the Foundation has collaborated with many local authorities in Israel to bolster communal resilience. Haim Taib, Founder and President of the Menomadin Foundation and leader of the October 7th delegation to the March said: “The link between the Holocaust, experienced by Jews 80 years ago and the horrors of the onslaught of October 7 underscores our collective obligation as a nation and society to remain resilient, to defend ourselves and to continue shaping the remarkable narrative of our people. I take pride in marching alongside the courageous individuals of the October 7th delegation. Together, we will rise from the ashes of this horrific attack and foster prosperity and abundance in the years ahead.“ Thousands of Jewish and non-Jewish students and adults from around the globe, University Presidents from campuses in the United States and Canada, a global delegation of top TikTok creators, Pastor Larry Huch representing the New Beginnings Church and Pastor Larry Huch Ministries, and a Transnational Law Enforcement delegation were among those lending voice and commitment to the importance of remembrance and resilience.Furthermore, in light of these events, the March of the Living, KKL-JNF in Israel, the Jewish Agency and the Hungarian Jewish Heritage Foundation MAZSOK jointly held an international conference in Budapest focusing on the Holocaust of Hungarian Jewry. This conference featured participation from young Jewish leaders across Europe, initiated by the Jewish Agency and with involvement from the leadership of the JNF, led by Chair Yifat Ovadia, among others. Participants of the conference also took part in the March of the Living events in both Budapest and Poland.Ifat Ovadia-Luski, Chair of KKL-JNF, said: “At a time when war is raging in Israel, it is of the utmost importance to remember what the Jewish people experienced 80 years ago. KKL-JNF will continue its many years of activities to preserve the memory of the Holocaust and raise the flag of the revival of the Jewish people in their own country for the sake of those who perished and for the sake of future generations.”Doron Almog, Brigadier General (Ret.), Chairman of the Jewish Agency: “The Jewish Agency endeavors to empower young leaders to actively engage in Holocaust remembrance and tell the story of Hungarian Jewry. In the face of escalating anti-Semitism, we emphatically declare ‘Never Again!’ Our resolve is fortified by the legacy of Hannah Szenes, a fighter and paratrooper executed by the Nazis in her hometown of Budapest. She famously declared, ‘A voice calls, and I go.’ As that same call resonates with us, we are united in our determination to heed it, drawing strength from her courage. We recognize the weight of our generation’s duty to safeguard the continuity of the Jewish people.” This year, a diverse team of 25 leading TikTok content creators from Israel, the USA, Canada, Italy, Hungary, Poland, the UK, and Germany joined the March. The TikTok team traveled to Budapest and Poland, attended the main ceremony in Auschwitz, and commemorated the Holocaust through the usage of their cellphones, allowing millions of TikTok users from around the world to watch the program. WATCH THE LIVESTREAM AGAIN Erev Yom HaShoah Yom HaShoah VIEW PHOTO GALLERY (function(d, s, id){var js; if (d.getElementById(id)) {return;} js = d.createElement(s); js.id = id; js.src = "https://embedsocial.com/embedscript/ei.js"; d.getElementsByTagName("head")[0].appendChild(js);}(document, "script", "EmbedSocialScript")); Photos by Yossi Zeliger

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Wreath laying ceremony in memory of Hanna Szenesh in Budapest

International March of the Living Board Member Shimon Yarel, and Deputy CEO Revital Revital Yakin Krakovsky, with Rakefet…

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Spotlight on Argentina

Argentina joined the March of the Living in 1992 at the initiative of Gilbert Lewi Z”L, who was president of Hebraica Argentina. Since then, more…

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Spotlight on Northeast USA

The Jewish Community of Greater MetroWest’s involvement with March of the Living began in 1990 with Dr. Howard Chaim Lauer the then director of the Jewish Education Association of…

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Australian March of the Living Enters 23rd Year

A delegation of 30 adults, young adults and Holocaust survivors from Australia will be joining the 2024 March of the Living. Since 2001, the…

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March of the Living alumni feature prominently in new ad combatting antisemitism

New Ad Combatting Antisemitism Released by FCAS – Foundation to Combat Antisemitism:March of the Living Alumni Feature Prominently in Moving PiecePlease see link to “Neighbors”, a moving ad about antisemitism that recently screened at the Oscars on Sunday, March 10. The ad is drawn from a true account of an American synagogue that was evacuated after receiving a bomb threat during a Bat Mitzvah. The neighboring Evangelical Church then gave their space for the Jewish congregation to hold the celebration.The director of the 60 second ad is Jon Weiman whose grandfather, Holocaust survivor Ernie Weiss, took part in the 2008 March of the Living. (See excerpt below from Witness: Passing the Torch of Holocaust Remembrance to New Generations about his experience on the March.) The ad also features Rabbi Michael Dolgin and Rabbi Cantor Aviva Rajsky, both of whom participated in past March of the Living programs.The ad was sponsored by the FCAS (Foundation to Combat Antisemitism), dedicated to combating antisemitism through positive messaging and partnerships, founded by philanthropist Robert Kraft. The ad is part of the FCAS “Stand Up to Jewish Hate” campaign.You can see more Stand Up to Jewish Hate’s powerful commercials here: https://www.standuptojewishhate.org/stand-up-videos/“International March of the Living is pleased to support the work of FCAS in its critically important campaign to combat antisemitism and all forms of intolerance”, said Phyllis Greenberg Heideman, President, International March of the Living.In the past, as part of International March of the Living’s strategic partnership with the Stand Up to Jewish Hate campaign, every participant on the March was given a 🟦pin on the day of the March and encouraged to post and share 🟦 on social media.The Blue Square emoji is a symbol of solidarity against intolerance. The 🟦 takes up 2.4% of various screens and represents the fact that Jews make up 2.4% of the U.S. population, yet are the victims of 55% of religious-based hate crimes in the United States. The campaign is designed to draw attention to this disparity and empower all Americans to help fight growing antisemitism in the United States and around the world. Blue Square🟦 pins can be ordered here: https://www.fcas.org/pins/Also see:A synagogue bomb threat is dramatized in an Oscars ad by Robert Kraft’s Foundation to Combat AntisemitismBehind the scenes of a new Oscars commercial against antisemitism—primarily filmed in Toronto’s Kensington Market

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Jewish Resilience in the Face of Adversity

Remarks by Eli RubensteinDirector of Education, International March of the LivingInternational March of the Living Leadership MeetingThursday, March 28, 2024 Jewish Resilience in the Face of Adversity Good morning, afternoon and evening to all:This week, I received an email from a representative of ANU – The Museum of the Jewish People in Tel Aviv, (Formerly the Diaspora Museum), concerning a special program they are offering for educators about teaching resilience to young people in the wake of October 7th. And in the coming days, we will share with you information on this very meaningful program. See: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1ocfcslD2fG2BBNJVl3OK9Ul7nar8oDVD/viewhttps://drive.google.com/file/d/1wh5IfFLmKO1cncn4HBrXC6AxB1kiGZ7c/view But as I was discussing this idea, I thought about how as we take our students on the 2024 March,  and we dwell upon the events of the Holocaust and the most recent events in Israel, there is no question that many of our students will begin the March with an extraordinary feeling of vulnerability and fragility.    As they embark on this experience, they will understand all too well that the virus of antisemitism has once again begun to replicate out of control, and that we dare not be complacent – now or ever. And thus we must also be careful in educating these young minds. We must not leave them despondent and bereft, despairing of the future of the Jewish people. We must  also instill in them feelings of hope and resilience, in the face of these horrendous events, past and present.So how do we do this? As I was contemplating this question, I was also attending an on line program that was reviewing one of Shai Agnon’s most famous stories called –  בשעה אחת (In One Moment).See: The Avrum Rosensweig Show with Rabbi Shlomo GemaraFor those of you unfamiliar with Shai Agnon, he is the only Israeli writer to win the Nobel Prize in Literature, which happened in 1966. (As an aside, in a story told by Rabbi Jeffrey Saks, “Abba Eban, then foreign minister of Israel, thought that he ought to have a hand in crafting Agnon’s speech at the Nobel ceremony; after all, from a diplomatic standpoint, the Nobel Prize ceremony was an unprecedented opportunity to advance Israel’s diplomatic goals.Agnon, however, took a different view of the matter. It is said that he retorted, “Tell Abba Eban that when he receives the Nobel Prize, he can write his own acceptance speech.”)  The title of the story  , בשעה אחת, according to Rabbi Gemara, refers back to a famous story in the Talmud, about which I will conclude my short Devar Torah with. This story is about many things – but most importantly it’s about the resilience of the Jewish people. Avodah Zarah 18a On their return, they found R. Hanina b. Teradion sitting and occupying himself with the Torah, publicly gathering assemblies, and keeping a scroll of the Law in his bosom. Straightaway they [the Romans] took hold of him, wrapped him in the Scroll of the Law, placed bundles of branches round him and set them on fire. They then brought tufts of wool, which they had soaked in water, and placed them over his heart, so that he should not expire quickly. His daughter exclaimed, ‘Father, that I should see you in this state!’ He replied, ‘If it were I alone being burnt it would have been a thing hard to bear; but now that I am burning together with the Scroll of the Law, He who will have regard for the plight of the Torah will also have regard for my plight.’  His disciples called out, ‘Rabbi, what seest thou?’ He answered them, ‘The parchments are being burnt but the letters are soaring on high.’14גליון נשרפין ואותיות פורחות ‘Open then thy mouth’ [said they] ‘so that the fire enter into thee.’15  He replied, ‘Let Him who gave me [my soul] take it away, but no one should injure oneself.’ The Executioner16  then said to him, ‘Rabbi, if I raise the flame and take away the tufts of wool from over thy heart, will thou cause me to enter into the life to come?’ ‘Yes,’ he replied. ‘Then swear unto me’ [he urged]. He swore unto him. He thereupon raised the flame and removed the tufts of wool from over his heart, and his soul departed speedily. The Executioner then jumped and threw himself into the fire. And a batkol17  exclaimed: R. Hanina b. Teradion and the Executioner have been assigned to the world to come. When Rebbie (Yehuda Hanasi) heard it he wept and said: One may acquire eternal life in a single hour, another only after many years.יש קונה עולמו בשעה אחת ויש קונה עולמו בכמה שנים There is much to learn from this story, but the most important words to me are:גליון נשרפין ואותיות פורחות‘The parchments are being burnt but the letters are soaring on high” “The paper burns, but the letters do not!” There are so many parallels to the Holocaust in this story.  How many Jews and how many Sefer Torahs were burned in the Holocaust? My own Aunt, Gabi Greenblatt, Aleha Hashalom, a survivor of Auschwitz, returned to her home of Debrecen after the war. Her entire family home was ransacked and pillaged from every valuable. Tellingly, the Sefer Torah was still there, but purposefully and gleefully torn into shreds and strewn all over the home, like confetti by the local Hungarian looters – all to add insult to injury. But the messages from the story of Hannina Ben Tradyon and the stories from the Holocaust are the same. “The paper burns but the letters fly away”. Force can never conquer spirit. The message of the Jewish people and our values will never be extinguished by brute force. Not then, not now, not ever. In fact, in the wake of the October 7th attack, a massive Torah scroll writing project was initiated in Israel. “Thousands of Israeli Jews, including President Isaac Herzog, filled in letters on parchment to commemorate the 1,200 dead and raise awareness for the 138 hostages still held captive”, according to the Times of Israel. “One scroll is currently being written specifically for the synagogue of Kibbutz Be’eri, an epicenter of the October 7 massacre.”  (Note: It is a mitzvah for every Jew to write a Sefer Torah, or to appoint someone to write it for them. In 2005, David Greenblatt (Gaby Greenblatt’s son) commissioned the writing of a Sefer Torah in memory of his late father and in memory of all the Sefer Torahs lost in the Holocaust. The Torah was donated to Chabad at NYU.) So as we embark on this year’s March of the Living, and share the stories of love and loss with our students – let us make sure the 2000 year old story of Hannina Ben Tradyon is one of the stories we share. And let us remind our students that the light and message of Israel and the Jewish people will shine brightly forever and never be extinguished. 

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