Journey of Hope: Retracing the Kindertransport after 85 Years

George Shefi, Paul Alexander & Walter Bingham near the Kindertransport memorial at Liverpool Street Station in London (Credit: Sam Churchill)[/caption] International Holocaust Remembrance Day: Honoring Kindertransport Survivors In the Shadow of the Hamas Terror Attack, March of the Living Joined Kindertransport Survivors on a Historic Journey Retracing their Escape from Nazi Germany 85 Years Ago Marking International Holocaust Remembrance Day, International March of the Living is launching a special documentary on the Kindertransport initiative to rescue some 15,000 Jewish children from Nazi Germany, Austria and Czechoslovakia 85 years ago. The film will premiere on January 24, 2024, at a special reception honoring Kindertransport survivors in Israel, hosted by the President of Israeli Isaac Herzog and first lady Michal Herzog. “Journey of Hope: Retracing the Kindertransport after 85 Years” On October 8th, as war broke out in Israel following the horrific terror attack by Hamas, the survivor – who were due to travel to with March of the Living to retrace their escape from Nazi Germany – decided that their mission to remember the horrors of the Holocaust was more important than ever. The terror attack on Israel on October 7th brought back harrowing memories of the danger of antisemitism and hatred. Walter Bingham, Paul Alexander, and George Shefi Credit: Sam Churchill The three Kindertransport survivors, Walter Bingham (100), Paul Alexander (85), and George Shefi (92), retraced the journey they took as children 85 years ago, as part of a documentary produced by the International March of the Living. The film is dedicated by the Moskowitz Family in memory of Henry Moskowitz z”l and in honor of Rose Moskowitz. Henry Moskowitz z”l (courtesy) Together with International March of the Living CEO Scott Saunders and Deputy CEO Revital Yakin Krakovsky, the survivors – who now all live in Israel – flew back to their birthplace in Germany. In their former home, they visited the places where they grew up, walked the streets they once walked, entered the schools they once attended, and viewed the homes they once lived in. Accompanied by family members, they then travelled from Germany by train through the Netherlands, by boat to England, and then again by train to London’s Liverpool Street Station – the same journey they took 85 years ago. From left to right: George Shefi, Scott Saunders, Walter Bingham, Revital Yakin Krakovsky, Paul Alexander (Credit: Sam Churchill) Revital Yakin Krakovsky, Deputy CEO, International March of the Living, said, “We couldn’t have foreseen the events in Israel when planning this project. But against this backdrop, we nevertheless went ahead with this historic journey, reuniting three Holocaust survivors who were rescued from Nazi Germany 85 years ago. With this film, March of the Living continues to broaden its Holocaust education mission, by reminding the world where antisemitism and hate can lead. Never Again is Now.” The International March of the Living is grateful to the film’s sponsors: the Moskowitz family, the Ghetto Fighters’ House Museum in Israel, El Al Israel Airlines, and Leonardo Hotels for their contribution to the film: “We were touched by their immediate desire to take part in this historical educational initiative,” said Revital Yakin Krakovsky. On Kristallnacht, the Nazi soldiers, along with some German civilians, burned or vandalized over 7,000 Jewish homes, businesses, and synagogues. They also murdered 91 Jews and arrested 30,000 Jewish men, sending them to concentration camps. It marked a turning point in the Nazi persecution of the Jews and many people subsequently made the difficult decision to send their children away, alone. The Kindertransport Program helped see some 15,000 Jewish children find refuge and shelter, with most of them arriving in the UK. Walter Bingham was born in 1924 in the city of Karlsruhe, Germany. As a child he witnessed Hitler rise to power and saw first-hand the growing antisemitism in Germany. After returning to Israel following the journey he said, “What we have seen in Israel, October the 7th is not just a reminder of the past. It is the past repeating itself. We must educate the whole world about this terrible hatred of Jews and remind them what happens when people stand by in silence and indifference.” George (Spiegelglas) Shefi was born in Berlin in 1931. During the journey he said, “During Kristallnacht I was 8 years old. I slept through that night, and I was not allowed out of the home for three days. I will never forget what I saw when I went out: stores smashed, stores marked, and my synagogue and school completely burned. Seeing Jewish homes burned with families in them on October 7th is something that I never imagined could happen.” Paul Alexander, who was one year and seven months old when in July 1939 his mother put him on the train from Leipzig in the arms of a stranger in order to save his life, said: “I was born a year before Kristallnacht pogrom. As an infant child I did not experience antisemitism directly, my parents did. I was saved from the Holocaust because my parents had the extraordinary courage to send me away after the pogrom. Now, at the age of 85, when I see the extreme level of antisemitism around the world, I feel it as if it is directed to me. It is horrific and totally unacceptable.” The film will be broadcasted on I24 news on International Holocaust Remembrance Day, January 27th, on 11:00 AM Israel time (4:00 AM EST); 8:30 PM Israel time (1:30 PM EST); Sunday January 28th 4:00AM Israel time (9 PM EST on 27th). The film will also be available on the International March of the Living website and social media channels.

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Walter Bingham, Kindertransport Survivor, World’s Oldest Active Journalist, Celebrates 100th Birthday

Walter Bingham: “I could never have imagined that at the age of 100 I would be a witness to the horrific pogrom against Jews that took place on October 7…

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85 years since Kristallnacht, Holocaust Survivors Say They Once Again Feel Unsafe as Jews

IN THE SHADOW OF THE OCTOBER 7 HAMAS TERROR ATTACK: In stirring testimonies released on anniversary of Kristallnacht, survivors from around the world call out for help in fighting rising antisemitismMarking 85 years since the Kristallnacht pogrom, today International March of the Living released testimonies of Holocaust survivors expressing expressing their deep concerns and calling for immediate help in fighting the recent surge in antisemitism. The survivors, whose testimonies were collected since the Hamas terrorist attack on October 7, say the brutal attack reminds them of the horrors they witnessed during the Holocaust.Out of fear for their safety, International March of the Living does not want to reveal their names and locations as they are concerned that it could place them and their families in immediate danger.Holocaust survivor M. said, “I think twice before I wear my Star of David. I am afraid to go to the synagogue,” while survivor G. added, “Never since the Holocaust are Jews so threatened.” D., another survivor, noted, “The October 7 terror attack brought back so many memories of what I saw as a child.”On November 9th, 1938, eighty-five years ago today, Nazi paramilitary forces, along with German civilians, burned and vandalized over 1,400 Jewish homes, businesses, and synagogues. They murdered 91 Jews and arrested 30,000 Jewish men, sending them to concentration camps.This week we also mark 30 days since the horrific Hamas terror attack on Israel, where terrorists killed 1400 people, mostly civilians, and took over 240 hostages, among them children, elderly, men and women.Israel’s subsequent war against Hamas has resulted in a wave of severe antisemitism around the world – a sharp rise of over 500% antisemitic attacks on Jews and Jewish communities was reported globally. These waves of antisemitism included physical violence, calls to kill Jews, using Nazi Germany rhetoric, and intimidation of young Jews on campuses and of Jews in the streets. "Listening to the survivors was heartbreaking. We never believed that we would once again hear a Holocaust survivor say, ‘I don’t feel safe,’ or ‘I’m afraid to go to the synagogue,’ or ‘I’m afraid they’ll hurt me.’ We never believed that we would relive those days again." International March of the Living Chair Dr. Shmuel Rosenman and President Phyllis Greenberg Heideman The Testimonies: M., USA“It is a catastrophe what is happening today: not only Hamas but the antisemitism on the universities. Before, I went outside with a Magen David on my shirt, now I think twice about it. Who would have thought that after the Holocaust it would happen again. We are the chosen ones again...Should I go to temple? I am afraid. I feel distinct. We know that they are antagonizing us. Where did these college students become so agitated? How did Jews harm them? Where does it come from? I just pray that Israel will win. I’m glad that the US government is not against Israel.” G., USA“My view of the current situation is gut-wrenching. Israel and the Jewish community worldwide are in a fight for their very existence. Never since the Holocaust are Jews so threatened. Our Jewish State, Israel, is determined to eradicate Hamas at all costs. They must have our support. All our lives depend on it! We’ll emerge victorious and the world will be a better place. We’ll come to understand that everyone has the same right to live in peace regardless of race, color of their skin, eyes or hair, and we don’t have to love everybody, but we have to respect everybody on this planet.” T., ISRAEL"I was four years old when the Gestapo came on Kristallnacht (November 9, 1938) and beat my father before taking him to Dachau, where he perished. I never thought in my life that something as terrible as now would happen again. On October 7, Hamas came and slaughtered children, young and old. I have to say honestly, all the lectures I give, and I give a lot, in Israel, in Germany, and wherever I can, but I think back 85 years ago to how horrible it was, and here we are, experiencing it again. I’m frustrated, and I am heartbroken to think what these people experienced, and I hope that everyone who hears and sees this will know what we are experiencing in Israel.” B., EUROPE"It is unbelievable that more than 80 years after the Holocaust, we are witnessing a significant increase in antisemitic events worldwide. No, I do not fear for my life and my family’s safety. I am confident that Israel will prevail and eliminate the threat soon. I trust in the power and strength of the Jewish State. But as a child (a hidden boy) born in 1937, I don’t recall a similar situation, except for the fear my family and I felt during the Nazi German occupation of my home country, Greece. I could never have imagined that one day, I would witness demonstrations and attacks against Israel and Jews on TV screens. What Hamas did to the Israelis on October 7 is as cruel, barbaric, and tragic as what the Nazis did to the Jews 80 years ago. When I see Jewish homes marked with the Magen David, it brings back nightmarish memories from my childhood, reminding me of swastikas and concentration camps. My message is that we, the Jewish people, have endured significant suffering throughout our history, with the Holocaust being the darkest period. Though the current times are challenging, thanks to the brave IDF, a sense of normalcy will soon return to the State of Israel and the Jewish Diaspora." N., CANADA"The events of 10/7 are beyond imagination and too horrible to understand. I am very troubled by this and am struggling to retain my equilibrium. It was the worst pogrom since the Shoah. My optimism is shattered. We must collectively feel the pain felt by parents whose child is abducted and threatened with death. Hamas’s barbarism is equal and almost exceeds what I experienced during the Shoah. I remember when I was a little boy growing up in Poland after the rise of Nazi Germany and the events of Kristallnacht. I remember being attacked on the streets and being yelled at, “Dirty Jews, go to Palestine.” I was required to wear the Star of David. I was forced out of my home into the ghetto, and from there, my family and I were deported to Auschwitz, where almost my entire family was murdered. It started with words and continued with actions. I am devastated to see how Jews are being attacked today. Jews are not safe. I saw where antisemitism can lead to, and I am very concerned." B., USA"I was in six concentration and death camps during the Holocaust, and I survived. It was so hard for me to see the horrific terror attack in Israel, to see Jewish people get killed for nothing. Hamas terrorists went and cut off the heads of children – that’s unbelievable. I’m very concerned. Nobody thought that something like this could happen. People should not make any difference between color and religion because hatred is causing the killing of each other. If you’re positive, everything goes away. People should speak up against hate. My message is: choose love, choose happiness." B., USAAs a child survivor of the Holocaust, I am terrified as I witness the news, which raises anxiety, fear, and deja vu. The Holocaust did not begin in 1939. It began much before, in small increments of restrictions and discrimination and denial of rights to Jews in Europe. “Never again” is a phrase heard over and over to underline that the tragedy of the Holocaust must never be allowed to happen again. But what we have learned since, is that the world and we humans who inhabit it, repeatedly do unto each other what no other species would do. October 7, 2023 marked a black day, a day of violence and violation, of cruelty, of barbarism, and unspeakable evil by Hamas. The world seems a dark place right now as it teeters on the brink of what could easily turn into WWIII. The rise in antisemitism all over the world, the political instability of powerful nations, and the effects of what we have done to our planet bringing the power of nature to cause such suffering and damage to many. The IDF is not only fighting to protect Israel. They are fighting to protect all of us from the evil of fundamental extremism of Hamas and its plainly stated objectives…to kill Jews, not only in Israel, but Jews everywhere. History repeats itself, and those of us who have lived it before are terrified for all the younger generations who follow us…for you! It is hard to find hope, yet as Elie Wiesel explains, man cannot live without hope. We must find the hope that Israel can defend herself, can return to democracy, and can provide the anchor we, Jews all over the world, so critically need."

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“The barbarism of Hamas equals and almost surpasses what I experienced in the Holocaust.” Nate Leipciger, Auschwitz Holocaust survivor

“The barbarism of Hamas equals and almost surpasses what I experienced in the Holocaust.” Nate Leipciger, a Holocaust survivor from the…

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Survivor Spotlight: Allan Hall

“Each day that we survivors live on is our victory over hate.” – Allan Hall, 88, lives in Miami Beach, Florida USA “I…

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Survivor Spotlight: Hedy Bohm

Over the last three and a half decades, thousands of Holocaust survivors from around the world have joined the March of the Living from Auschwitz to Birkenau on Holocaust…

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We Survived: Survivor Spotlight on Arek Hersh

“I survived the selection. I was saved from the gas chambers. Fate, luck, or both, kept me alive.” Arek Hersh, 95, Prisoner…

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“We Survived” – Special International March of the Living Publication in honor of Holocaust Survivor Day

International March of the Living is proud to join organizations around the world commemorating Holocaust Survivor…

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We Survived: Survivor Spotlight on Nate Leipciger

We Survived. The last of the survivors retrace their journeys of survival on the 2023 March of the Living in Poland. Prisoner…

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JPost Special Issue on the 2023 March of the Living

In partnership with The Jerusalem Post, International March of the Living has produced a special magazine supplement marking 35 years since the first March of the Living was held…

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