I'm back home now and I'd like to redirect you to my website that I can now update now since I am no longer using my iPad. Thank you again for the support!
a.
Remembrance & Hope 2011
Wednesday, May 25, 2011
Sunday, May 22, 2011
This is Not Goodbye...
This is Not Goodbye...
Today has come and gone, this journey however is not over, it has just begun.
After the events of today a 'farewell' dinner was held where we could all come together and celebrate the strides that we have made thus far. Food was ate, speeches were given, many songs were sang, pictures were taken, and many happy tears were said. A bitter sweet rain fell as we exited towards the buses to return back to the hotel for our las CLG meeting. The room was silent as we walked in all knowing that this was the beginning to the end of this once in a life time, indescribable opportunity that few will have.
I could ramble on for pages about the people, places, stories, and lessons. Some of these you have already heard, some are yet to come. I would just like to take this time now to note a few thoughts as I begin to 'pack' my bag:
- the power of story is strong
- love is the most powerful tool that we have
- we shall overcome
- the torch is being past and we need to maintain/share aspects of these stories with every who asks and everyone we meet
- those who go through some of life's darkest times can overcome the obstacles in their way and be resilient
- it is our responsibility as humans to standup and take action against intolerance, antisemitism, racism, etc.
Please stay tuned as in the coming weeks all of the notes and pictures will come to be, I will provide more detail and insight into each individual place. Again, thank you for all of your love and support.
"Head up, heart higher." - Devin Heroux
Today has come and gone, this journey however is not over, it has just begun.
After the events of today a 'farewell' dinner was held where we could all come together and celebrate the strides that we have made thus far. Food was ate, speeches were given, many songs were sang, pictures were taken, and many happy tears were said. A bitter sweet rain fell as we exited towards the buses to return back to the hotel for our las CLG meeting. The room was silent as we walked in all knowing that this was the beginning to the end of this once in a life time, indescribable opportunity that few will have.
I could ramble on for pages about the people, places, stories, and lessons. Some of these you have already heard, some are yet to come. I would just like to take this time now to note a few thoughts as I begin to 'pack' my bag:
- the power of story is strong
- love is the most powerful tool that we have
- we shall overcome
- the torch is being past and we need to maintain/share aspects of these stories with every who asks and everyone we meet
- those who go through some of life's darkest times can overcome the obstacles in their way and be resilient
- it is our responsibility as humans to standup and take action against intolerance, antisemitism, racism, etc.
Please stay tuned as in the coming weeks all of the notes and pictures will come to be, I will provide more detail and insight into each individual place. Again, thank you for all of your love and support.
"Head up, heart higher." - Devin Heroux
Warsaw Day #2 (Tykocin & Treblinka)
Warsaw Day #2 (Tykocin & Treblinka)
Another somber day began as we arrived at the Jewish cemetery which was built within the ghetto during the Holocaust, for those with loved ones lost. The cemetery is the largest in Europe and once you enter you cannot see the ends of it on any of perimeter. Over 200,000 people are buried here, including a few from prior to the war, but many are those who perished in the Warsaw ghetto. Some of those who were apart of the Jewish uprising are laid to rest here.
Many graves are marked with traditional Jewish stones, inscribed with messages in either Hebrew or Yiddish, some stones are large while others are small. In the middle of the cemetery is the location of two mass graves, erected for those who did not have a place and for the to time during the war when so many were dying that there was a constant line of family members with their dead waiting for a place to lay them to rest
Tykocin was approx. two hours outside of the city and is a small hamlet. Before the war the Jewish population of around 1500 flourished here with a large synagogue and spent their lives living simply. When the Nazis arrived they rounded up the Jews in the town square on August 24th.
As we drove out of the small place which today does not have many habitants and few Jewish people. The synagogue which was once the centre of the village and life is now a museum where it highlights the people who's lives were lost. The synagogue was beautiful and inclusive, as all of the prayers of the Torah are painted by hand on the wall. Pinchas performed a prayer and others around began to gather. This prayer was followed by some songs and reflection before leaving.
With the theme from Schindler's list playing in the background we were asked to board the buses in silence and remain that way. We drove past the square where the innocent people of this place were taken. Driving down the roads with the flat farm land on either side of us it was made clear that if you tried to escape you had no where to run.
Upon return to a dense forest we silently exited the bus and walked down a path. Once in the forest it felt as there was no escape. We walled for a number of minutes before coming to an opening where on either side of us was a fenced in area to the right/left/front. These were the pits that were dug for the people Tykocin where they would fall to their death. Stripped of their clothes in a final attempt to dehumanize these people on their final minutes, all 1500 inhabitants were murder at gun point between August 24/25. There is one survivor, a small boy who was seven at the time. During the summoning of the Jews to the square, the boy's father asked him to return home to get something, when he saw what was coming he hid.
There were no survivors of the Tykocin village after the Nazis were through with them, in a matter of 24 hours they had completely rid of the population. Michael had one of us read the story of one young women who survived a similar round up in another small city. She stood by naked as her mother, father, sisters/brothers, grandmother, and neighbors were shot. She was shot but not killed, she explains how she begged for her God to take her, what sin had she committed that was placing her here, alive. She spent three nights and three days laying in the grave, when she heard a baby cry. She believes that the small child she found is the reason that she is alive.
We all remained quiet as we took our time at the sites of the three mass graves, Faigie commenting at on point that we are her oice hen she is gone some day. Sitting on the bus now it is quiet, as many reflect as we make our way to the last stop of this journey while we are here, Treblinka. Although this maybe the last physical location we visit, this journey is only just beginning for all of us and what is to come from us we will soon find out.
Treblinka was our last and final site stop on this journey that seems like it was coming to an end too quickly. Treblinka was built for one purpose, death. Designed to send Jews from Warsaw and the surrounding area to, it was responsible for the death of more than 850,000 Jews even though it was one of the smaller camps that the Nazis built. The process was quick at the came and upon arrival to the platform Jews were stripped of their belongings, shower, shaved, and sent directly to the gas chambers.
Why strip them of their belongings and shave their hair if they are headed for immediate death? The Nazis needed the items for supplies in Berlin and the hair to make products such as mattress covers and mats. Sick. The whole process at Treblinka lasted only 30-40 minutes, and towards the end of the war the time was cut down to 20 minutes. Only adults and children were placed into the gas chamber at this site, those who could not walk (elderly and disabled), as well as, babies and infants were dealt with in another manor. The elderly and disabled were shot into a pit, while the Nazis played a disgusting game of blowing infants against the wall to their death. Those who could complete this task in one attempt were praised.
Through more of Michaels stories we were able to obtain a better understanding of what via those Jews chosen to be slaves here and also through the few who were able to survive the uprising at the camp. Those salves who were required to short goods and move bodies after they were gassed told stories of people being pushed into the gas chamber, their arms in the air to allow the creation of 7% more space. After it was packed to the brim with people the Nazis proceed to throw small children on top of everyone else to use every inch of space humanly possible. The salve recounts that the Nazi guards watched through a small window the victims being gassed and once the killing was complete they told them that they were 'asleep' and it was now time to burn the corpses.
During the duration of operation at Treblinka a uprising was devised as those working at the camp attempted to steal weapons from the guards and search clothing for money as they shorted belongings. On the night of the uprising one of the organizers was caught with money on them, he would not provide the guards with information. Instead of ditching their uprising attempts the prisoners decided to continue anyway, that night 600 prisoners attempted to escape the camp. In the end only 70 of them survived the uprising and thus, the death chambers of Treblinka.
After descriptions we came to the monument where the gas chamber used to be located and rocks we spent some time reflecting and Pinchas performed a song which came to him in a dream during 1992. The song was written in remembrance of his twin sister, mother, and father who he lost during the Holocaust.
Ordinary Men is a book that looks at some of the men who participated in the German group who were responsible for these mass killings.
"Your walls are killing me as this heart is beating endlessly...just keep yelling out until there is no more." - Lines from Airplanes
Another somber day began as we arrived at the Jewish cemetery which was built within the ghetto during the Holocaust, for those with loved ones lost. The cemetery is the largest in Europe and once you enter you cannot see the ends of it on any of perimeter. Over 200,000 people are buried here, including a few from prior to the war, but many are those who perished in the Warsaw ghetto. Some of those who were apart of the Jewish uprising are laid to rest here.
Many graves are marked with traditional Jewish stones, inscribed with messages in either Hebrew or Yiddish, some stones are large while others are small. In the middle of the cemetery is the location of two mass graves, erected for those who did not have a place and for the to time during the war when so many were dying that there was a constant line of family members with their dead waiting for a place to lay them to rest
Tykocin was approx. two hours outside of the city and is a small hamlet. Before the war the Jewish population of around 1500 flourished here with a large synagogue and spent their lives living simply. When the Nazis arrived they rounded up the Jews in the town square on August 24th.
As we drove out of the small place which today does not have many habitants and few Jewish people. The synagogue which was once the centre of the village and life is now a museum where it highlights the people who's lives were lost. The synagogue was beautiful and inclusive, as all of the prayers of the Torah are painted by hand on the wall. Pinchas performed a prayer and others around began to gather. This prayer was followed by some songs and reflection before leaving.
With the theme from Schindler's list playing in the background we were asked to board the buses in silence and remain that way. We drove past the square where the innocent people of this place were taken. Driving down the roads with the flat farm land on either side of us it was made clear that if you tried to escape you had no where to run.
Upon return to a dense forest we silently exited the bus and walked down a path. Once in the forest it felt as there was no escape. We walled for a number of minutes before coming to an opening where on either side of us was a fenced in area to the right/left/front. These were the pits that were dug for the people Tykocin where they would fall to their death. Stripped of their clothes in a final attempt to dehumanize these people on their final minutes, all 1500 inhabitants were murder at gun point between August 24/25. There is one survivor, a small boy who was seven at the time. During the summoning of the Jews to the square, the boy's father asked him to return home to get something, when he saw what was coming he hid.
There were no survivors of the Tykocin village after the Nazis were through with them, in a matter of 24 hours they had completely rid of the population. Michael had one of us read the story of one young women who survived a similar round up in another small city. She stood by naked as her mother, father, sisters/brothers, grandmother, and neighbors were shot. She was shot but not killed, she explains how she begged for her God to take her, what sin had she committed that was placing her here, alive. She spent three nights and three days laying in the grave, when she heard a baby cry. She believes that the small child she found is the reason that she is alive.
We all remained quiet as we took our time at the sites of the three mass graves, Faigie commenting at on point that we are her oice hen she is gone some day. Sitting on the bus now it is quiet, as many reflect as we make our way to the last stop of this journey while we are here, Treblinka. Although this maybe the last physical location we visit, this journey is only just beginning for all of us and what is to come from us we will soon find out.
Treblinka was our last and final site stop on this journey that seems like it was coming to an end too quickly. Treblinka was built for one purpose, death. Designed to send Jews from Warsaw and the surrounding area to, it was responsible for the death of more than 850,000 Jews even though it was one of the smaller camps that the Nazis built. The process was quick at the came and upon arrival to the platform Jews were stripped of their belongings, shower, shaved, and sent directly to the gas chambers.
Why strip them of their belongings and shave their hair if they are headed for immediate death? The Nazis needed the items for supplies in Berlin and the hair to make products such as mattress covers and mats. Sick. The whole process at Treblinka lasted only 30-40 minutes, and towards the end of the war the time was cut down to 20 minutes. Only adults and children were placed into the gas chamber at this site, those who could not walk (elderly and disabled), as well as, babies and infants were dealt with in another manor. The elderly and disabled were shot into a pit, while the Nazis played a disgusting game of blowing infants against the wall to their death. Those who could complete this task in one attempt were praised.
Through more of Michaels stories we were able to obtain a better understanding of what via those Jews chosen to be slaves here and also through the few who were able to survive the uprising at the camp. Those salves who were required to short goods and move bodies after they were gassed told stories of people being pushed into the gas chamber, their arms in the air to allow the creation of 7% more space. After it was packed to the brim with people the Nazis proceed to throw small children on top of everyone else to use every inch of space humanly possible. The salve recounts that the Nazi guards watched through a small window the victims being gassed and once the killing was complete they told them that they were 'asleep' and it was now time to burn the corpses.
During the duration of operation at Treblinka a uprising was devised as those working at the camp attempted to steal weapons from the guards and search clothing for money as they shorted belongings. On the night of the uprising one of the organizers was caught with money on them, he would not provide the guards with information. Instead of ditching their uprising attempts the prisoners decided to continue anyway, that night 600 prisoners attempted to escape the camp. In the end only 70 of them survived the uprising and thus, the death chambers of Treblinka.
After descriptions we came to the monument where the gas chamber used to be located and rocks we spent some time reflecting and Pinchas performed a song which came to him in a dream during 1992. The song was written in remembrance of his twin sister, mother, and father who he lost during the Holocaust.
Ordinary Men is a book that looks at some of the men who participated in the German group who were responsible for these mass killings.
"Your walls are killing me as this heart is beating endlessly...just keep yelling out until there is no more." - Lines from Airplanes
Warsaw Day #1
To come! Post was lost.
Warsaw Day #1 (to come!)
Umshlagplatz
-
Warsaw Ghetto
-
Korczak's Orphanage
-
Nozky Synagogue
-
Old Town
-
Mila 18
-
Warsaw Day #1 (to come!)
Umshlagplatz
-
Warsaw Ghetto
-
Korczak's Orphanage
-
Nozky Synagogue
-
Old Town
-
Mila 18
-
Friday, May 20, 2011
"Mac Student Representing Holocaust Survivor on March
Attached is the link to the article my local paper in Burlington, Ontario kindly wrote about our journey and my survivor Hedy Bohm. Thank you for the support.
Burlington Post Article
Burlington Post Article
Majdanek
This is so much bigger than us, is what I realized today as we entered
Majdanek, a place that was a labour camp, as well as, a concentration camp. It was never intended to be a death camp but, many of the victims were killed
due to starvation, beatings, or getting shot.
Arriving at this place and seeing the large Soviet monument in front of the green camp that lay beyond it. Before we began out journey through the camp, our survivor, Pinchas completed his Holocaust story by outlining his story through Majdanek, by himself, at the age of ten years old.
Setting the scene for us, we began our journey inside the camp. The camp which encompasses approx. 270 acres is one of the largest camps, and had the potential to house more people and be more destructive than Auschwitz.
In a future blog I will go into detail on the aspects of the camp and the stores Michael shared with us while we were.
After walking all morning throughout the camp we reached the back where the crematorium and the other memorial are located. I am really struggling to find words for these places as the ideas and emotions they portrayed to me are so big and I feel it will take me time to comprehend this back to you. Michael proceeded to tell us that in the final days as the Germans realized that the Soviets were closing in a mass killing spree ensued. Ditches were drug and the next day loud speakers were set up to play happy military music while the Germans proceeded to slaughter 18,000 Jews in one day (other types of prisoners were held at Majdanek, but only Jews were selected for this event).
Those killed were shot by machine gun into the ditched, located directly next to the crematorium. Those in the village of Lublin located meters from the camp, became curious of what was going on due to the constant stream of smoke and they more potent smell as usual. The Germans response to these questions... we are having a Harvest Festival. After the liberation tones of human ash were found in piles were found (each person representing 2-3 cups of ash).
Walking through the crematorium, feeling the cold of the walls, and the disbelief that humans could do this to their own. The commander of the the crematorium was so heartless that he built a bathtub in the room where the crematorium ovens were located. Why? Because with a shortage of water, resulted in a lack of hot water available. Therefore, while the oven burned the bodies of these people who's lives were cut short for a reason some with never fathom this man sat basked in the heat of his hot bath water. Heartless.
Joined in hands Rachelle, Chani, Emily, and I entreated this place together our hearts aching for what took place here. Coming out on the other side of the building, as none who entered during the Holocaust did we were met by the place where their lives were ended by the gun and bullet of the cold, heartless Nazi. Holding each other, Geraldine joining us, we wept. Why? Out of anger, despair, sadness, frustration, disgust, hurt, ache. All the while the city witnesses just a short ways away down the small hill.
Coming the final memorial with the whole group, holding hands, linked arm-in-arm, no one alone as we climbed the stairs reaching the top. Air seemed difficult to come by as you peered over the edge of this indescribably big pit, all full of human ash mixed with rocks from the grounds of the camp. This made it real. The culmination of all the aspects at this camp hit me like a kick in the gut.
Candles were distributed and we all came together in our huddle which seemed closer then any other time this week, breathing deeply in unison, the wind speaking to us as it blew through the sides of the memorial ever so quietly but with so much power at same time. We were not alone here, now. Faigie proceed to read a passage from a surivior, Carla then reading a letter from someone who was not so lucky. It was written by a women who was in Vienna, having sent her daughter to England with the one children's program she was writing to her daughter to tell her she knew that the de orations were coming and it was her time. She was writing to say goodbye, I'll miss you, and most importantly I love you. The women who perished some time later at the hands of the Nazi's was Carla's Grandmother, the girl the letter was written to was her mother.
Prayers were read by Pinchas, the prayer for the death/mourning, as well as the prayer for the victims lost in this tragedy. These prayers linked us all, all sharing that there is a higher power and the continual prayer that these people should now be forgotten. Hands held, arms linked even one linked as you could she Pinchas, Faigie, Carla and all the others affected by the Holocaust close their eyes and remember. Words can not describe what was running through my mind as the prayers were recited and we later lit the candles for those innocent lives lost. This was particularly meaningful amd emotional for Pinchas as he believes his father, mother, and sister's ashes are located here.
I found Laura and as two people who don't have a direct connection, words didn't need to be spoken as we embraced as many other did just simply trying to make sense of it all, something that I am unsure will ever occur.
The past few days have opened my eyes, and I don't think for sometime after I return home I will really be able to put this down on paper and share it with you all. I am grateful over the past week to have been able to room with Rachelle, the granddaughter of an Auschwitz survivor. Her openness about this experience and her grandfather have allowed me a small window to what this is like for those who's family has been impacted by the Holocaust directly or more simply the impact the Holocaust has on her being a person of the Jewish culture and faith. Other key person to my insight and learning is Chani, a girl in my Core Learning Group.
As someone with no personal or religious connection to the Holocaust, I have struggled to figure out where I fit into all of this. My connection developed within then last few days as we spoke about then aspect of humanity and the fact that this was an atrocity to human kind, and that is something that we all can share regardless of colour, race, religion, sexual orientation, and background. I walk through this place to every human, for every person affected by this and those who continue to be affected by human injustice and intolerance.
I thank you for your patience, thoughts, and prayers as I experience this journey. I can feel the support of you all and those around me.
“I swore never to be silent whenever and wherever human beings endure suffering and humiliation. We must always take sides. Neutrality helps the oppressor, never the victim. Silence encourages the tormentor, never the tormented.” -Elie Wiesel
Majdanek, a place that was a labour camp, as well as, a concentration camp. It was never intended to be a death camp but, many of the victims were killed
due to starvation, beatings, or getting shot.
Arriving at this place and seeing the large Soviet monument in front of the green camp that lay beyond it. Before we began out journey through the camp, our survivor, Pinchas completed his Holocaust story by outlining his story through Majdanek, by himself, at the age of ten years old.
Setting the scene for us, we began our journey inside the camp. The camp which encompasses approx. 270 acres is one of the largest camps, and had the potential to house more people and be more destructive than Auschwitz.
In a future blog I will go into detail on the aspects of the camp and the stores Michael shared with us while we were.
After walking all morning throughout the camp we reached the back where the crematorium and the other memorial are located. I am really struggling to find words for these places as the ideas and emotions they portrayed to me are so big and I feel it will take me time to comprehend this back to you. Michael proceeded to tell us that in the final days as the Germans realized that the Soviets were closing in a mass killing spree ensued. Ditches were drug and the next day loud speakers were set up to play happy military music while the Germans proceeded to slaughter 18,000 Jews in one day (other types of prisoners were held at Majdanek, but only Jews were selected for this event).
Those killed were shot by machine gun into the ditched, located directly next to the crematorium. Those in the village of Lublin located meters from the camp, became curious of what was going on due to the constant stream of smoke and they more potent smell as usual. The Germans response to these questions... we are having a Harvest Festival. After the liberation tones of human ash were found in piles were found (each person representing 2-3 cups of ash).
Walking through the crematorium, feeling the cold of the walls, and the disbelief that humans could do this to their own. The commander of the the crematorium was so heartless that he built a bathtub in the room where the crematorium ovens were located. Why? Because with a shortage of water, resulted in a lack of hot water available. Therefore, while the oven burned the bodies of these people who's lives were cut short for a reason some with never fathom this man sat basked in the heat of his hot bath water. Heartless.
Joined in hands Rachelle, Chani, Emily, and I entreated this place together our hearts aching for what took place here. Coming out on the other side of the building, as none who entered during the Holocaust did we were met by the place where their lives were ended by the gun and bullet of the cold, heartless Nazi. Holding each other, Geraldine joining us, we wept. Why? Out of anger, despair, sadness, frustration, disgust, hurt, ache. All the while the city witnesses just a short ways away down the small hill.
Coming the final memorial with the whole group, holding hands, linked arm-in-arm, no one alone as we climbed the stairs reaching the top. Air seemed difficult to come by as you peered over the edge of this indescribably big pit, all full of human ash mixed with rocks from the grounds of the camp. This made it real. The culmination of all the aspects at this camp hit me like a kick in the gut.
Candles were distributed and we all came together in our huddle which seemed closer then any other time this week, breathing deeply in unison, the wind speaking to us as it blew through the sides of the memorial ever so quietly but with so much power at same time. We were not alone here, now. Faigie proceed to read a passage from a surivior, Carla then reading a letter from someone who was not so lucky. It was written by a women who was in Vienna, having sent her daughter to England with the one children's program she was writing to her daughter to tell her she knew that the de orations were coming and it was her time. She was writing to say goodbye, I'll miss you, and most importantly I love you. The women who perished some time later at the hands of the Nazi's was Carla's Grandmother, the girl the letter was written to was her mother.
Prayers were read by Pinchas, the prayer for the death/mourning, as well as the prayer for the victims lost in this tragedy. These prayers linked us all, all sharing that there is a higher power and the continual prayer that these people should now be forgotten. Hands held, arms linked even one linked as you could she Pinchas, Faigie, Carla and all the others affected by the Holocaust close their eyes and remember. Words can not describe what was running through my mind as the prayers were recited and we later lit the candles for those innocent lives lost. This was particularly meaningful amd emotional for Pinchas as he believes his father, mother, and sister's ashes are located here.
I found Laura and as two people who don't have a direct connection, words didn't need to be spoken as we embraced as many other did just simply trying to make sense of it all, something that I am unsure will ever occur.
The past few days have opened my eyes, and I don't think for sometime after I return home I will really be able to put this down on paper and share it with you all. I am grateful over the past week to have been able to room with Rachelle, the granddaughter of an Auschwitz survivor. Her openness about this experience and her grandfather have allowed me a small window to what this is like for those who's family has been impacted by the Holocaust directly or more simply the impact the Holocaust has on her being a person of the Jewish culture and faith. Other key person to my insight and learning is Chani, a girl in my Core Learning Group.
As someone with no personal or religious connection to the Holocaust, I have struggled to figure out where I fit into all of this. My connection developed within then last few days as we spoke about then aspect of humanity and the fact that this was an atrocity to human kind, and that is something that we all can share regardless of colour, race, religion, sexual orientation, and background. I walk through this place to every human, for every person affected by this and those who continue to be affected by human injustice and intolerance.
I thank you for your patience, thoughts, and prayers as I experience this journey. I can feel the support of you all and those around me.
“I swore never to be silent whenever and wherever human beings endure suffering and humiliation. We must always take sides. Neutrality helps the oppressor, never the victim. Silence encourages the tormentor, never the tormented.” -Elie Wiesel
Krakow #2
Krakow Day #2
After a night out last night that included dinner at a traditional Polish restaurant in Market Square and a bit of time out at a local night spot in the city.
Today we took time this morning to go on a walking tour of Krakow and the important parts of the city that have played a key role in the development of the Jewish community in the city, as well as, areas that were in the Krakow Ghetto.
Oldest Synagogue in Poland
- in this place we discussed various aspects of the Jewish faith and practices
- the synagogue was used as a community centre for the Jewish people for study
- we visited the cemetery located behind the at synagogue where two pivotal Rabbi are
- while at the site we learned that in the war the stones were all knocked down and taken away from this site (many were used for structures and roads), after the war stones were brought back to the synagogue but are not placed in the right locations and in some cases some areas have no stones
- additionally, in the Jewish faith when people have a pilgrimage to these important people's resting place it is common practice to leave a note with a hope or prayer on it and place it in a silver box, later a Rabbi takes the notes and barriers them
- in a later post I will discuss some of the things I have learned about the Jewish faith and their practices
En Route to the Krakow Ghetto & K Pharmacy
- we walked on foot to the location of the Krakow Ghetto, crossing the bridge as the Jewish people once would have crossed one of the many bridges from one side of the city to the other on route to the Krakow Ghetto believing that they were simply being 'relocated'
- the ghetto was 600 x 400 feet and housed approx. 18,000 people
- on killing sprees at times they could kill between 300 - 700 people in one event (approx. 1 body every two meters in the ghetto
- discussed the attempted youth uprising in this ghetto, but the risks associated with an uprising (e.g. the Nazis could kill more people and it wouldn't do any good)
- the site of the pharmacy in the ghetto where the owner chose not to leave his business and in turn ended up helping the Jews in the ghetto throughout the war
Plashov Concentration Camp
- all that is here is a memorial, and further down the hill the grey hall and the villa the commander of the camp lived on site
- Michael (our faculty guide) talked about what was here and what happened
- this is the place where the Schindler's list was based off of and filmed
Pinchas' Story
- while at the camp we sat and listened to part of Pinchas' story which I will include more information on tomorrow
I appreciate all of your patience as my blogging has been somewhat delayed these past few days. I will be catching up tomorrow and will be writing formal blogs about certain aspects upon return. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.
"the only thing that matters, is that it matters." -unknown
After a night out last night that included dinner at a traditional Polish restaurant in Market Square and a bit of time out at a local night spot in the city.
Today we took time this morning to go on a walking tour of Krakow and the important parts of the city that have played a key role in the development of the Jewish community in the city, as well as, areas that were in the Krakow Ghetto.
Oldest Synagogue in Poland
- in this place we discussed various aspects of the Jewish faith and practices
- the synagogue was used as a community centre for the Jewish people for study
- we visited the cemetery located behind the at synagogue where two pivotal Rabbi are
- while at the site we learned that in the war the stones were all knocked down and taken away from this site (many were used for structures and roads), after the war stones were brought back to the synagogue but are not placed in the right locations and in some cases some areas have no stones
- additionally, in the Jewish faith when people have a pilgrimage to these important people's resting place it is common practice to leave a note with a hope or prayer on it and place it in a silver box, later a Rabbi takes the notes and barriers them
- in a later post I will discuss some of the things I have learned about the Jewish faith and their practices
En Route to the Krakow Ghetto & K Pharmacy
- we walked on foot to the location of the Krakow Ghetto, crossing the bridge as the Jewish people once would have crossed one of the many bridges from one side of the city to the other on route to the Krakow Ghetto believing that they were simply being 'relocated'
- the ghetto was 600 x 400 feet and housed approx. 18,000 people
- on killing sprees at times they could kill between 300 - 700 people in one event (approx. 1 body every two meters in the ghetto
- discussed the attempted youth uprising in this ghetto, but the risks associated with an uprising (e.g. the Nazis could kill more people and it wouldn't do any good)
- the site of the pharmacy in the ghetto where the owner chose not to leave his business and in turn ended up helping the Jews in the ghetto throughout the war
Plashov Concentration Camp
- all that is here is a memorial, and further down the hill the grey hall and the villa the commander of the camp lived on site
- Michael (our faculty guide) talked about what was here and what happened
- this is the place where the Schindler's list was based off of and filmed
Pinchas' Story
- while at the camp we sat and listened to part of Pinchas' story which I will include more information on tomorrow
I appreciate all of your patience as my blogging has been somewhat delayed these past few days. I will be catching up tomorrow and will be writing formal blogs about certain aspects upon return. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.
"the only thing that matters, is that it matters." -unknown
Wednesday, May 18, 2011
Auschwitz & Birkenau
FKrakow Day #1 (Auschwitz, Berkinau, and the march)
Sleep didn't come easily to many of us last night, as well all attempted to try and prepare ourselves mentally and emotionally for what lay in store today.
I left both of these places today humbled and changed. At the moment I am still attempting to grasp at all or theses ideas and crimes. Once I do I will share more than this brief note with you. We were asked today to take 10 mins at our core learning meeting and this was my result.
I walked, we marched.
To places that are laid with
the ashes of those who were
victims to this. Speechless.
Words are difficult to find as stones
beneath our feet shift in the Earth, the same
Earth where they nice stood too. Same place
different time, different time, different reason. Space .
All affected in a different way, yet similarities
emerge in thoughts and feelings. At the same
time silence and tears were all that came. Thoughts.
In a so large at times felt so small. An ear to
hear breaks, a hand to touch a worn beam,
a sound of making walking in the wind. Surreal.
A circle representing friendship, support, love,
and hope emerged in this place. Stories we are
told, music present, homage aid, a promise mad. A stone laid.
The truth still runs, breaks still squeal, cargo is
stills unloaded, but not for the same reason and
never again it will. Hope.
"One word, one stone." - Anon
Sleep didn't come easily to many of us last night, as well all attempted to try and prepare ourselves mentally and emotionally for what lay in store today.
I left both of these places today humbled and changed. At the moment I am still attempting to grasp at all or theses ideas and crimes. Once I do I will share more than this brief note with you. We were asked today to take 10 mins at our core learning meeting and this was my result.
I walked, we marched.
To places that are laid with
the ashes of those who were
victims to this. Speechless.
Words are difficult to find as stones
beneath our feet shift in the Earth, the same
Earth where they nice stood too. Same place
different time, different time, different reason. Space .
All affected in a different way, yet similarities
emerge in thoughts and feelings. At the same
time silence and tears were all that came. Thoughts.
In a so large at times felt so small. An ear to
hear breaks, a hand to touch a worn beam,
a sound of making walking in the wind. Surreal.
A circle representing friendship, support, love,
and hope emerged in this place. Stories we are
told, music present, homage aid, a promise mad. A stone laid.
The truth still runs, breaks still squeal, cargo is
stills unloaded, but not for the same reason and
never again it will. Hope.
"One word, one stone." - Anon
My Thoughts on May 17th
My Thoughts on May 17th
10:09pm here and still just over an hour away from arriving in Krakow,
Poland; much like the Jews once did. The apporx. nine hour drive offered
people and opportunity to catch up on sleep, self reflect on the places visited thus far, as well as, informal discussion on thoughts/feelings/stories.
I spent a few hours sleeping before gathering my thoughts to fill in my blog on what has been occurring over the past two days. I want to thank you all for your thoughts and words of encouragement as I continue on this journey. I am privileged to have been given this opportunity and to in turn, share these things with you.
Today I felt as through visiting Track 17 and the location of the Wannsee Conference made this trip and the events surrounding these places real. Unlike yesterday, today's sites were locations that actually pivotal roles in the war. I have trouble fathoming how it would feel to walk through your city to the train station, as you have no idea what is in store for you.
Being in the room here where the elements of the final solution were discussed brought feeling forth of anger and disgust. How 'humans' could plan the death and destruction of other humans is something do difficult to understand.
I will leave you today with these basic thoughts as I attempt to mentally and emotionally prepare for what tomorrow - Auschwitz, Berkinau, and the march - will bring. I am not sure what to expect, as like many, much of my knowledge and images come from books.
10:09pm here and still just over an hour away from arriving in Krakow,
Poland; much like the Jews once did. The apporx. nine hour drive offered
people and opportunity to catch up on sleep, self reflect on the places visited thus far, as well as, informal discussion on thoughts/feelings/stories.
I spent a few hours sleeping before gathering my thoughts to fill in my blog on what has been occurring over the past two days. I want to thank you all for your thoughts and words of encouragement as I continue on this journey. I am privileged to have been given this opportunity and to in turn, share these things with you.
Today I felt as through visiting Track 17 and the location of the Wannsee Conference made this trip and the events surrounding these places real. Unlike yesterday, today's sites were locations that actually pivotal roles in the war. I have trouble fathoming how it would feel to walk through your city to the train station, as you have no idea what is in store for you.
Being in the room here where the elements of the final solution were discussed brought feeling forth of anger and disgust. How 'humans' could plan the death and destruction of other humans is something do difficult to understand.
I will leave you today with these basic thoughts as I attempt to mentally and emotionally prepare for what tomorrow - Auschwitz, Berkinau, and the march - will bring. I am not sure what to expect, as like many, much of my knowledge and images come from books.
Tuesday, May 17, 2011
Berlin #2
Berlin #2
After getting some much needed sleep to recharge from from the 36+ hr journey after leaving Toronto on Sunday we were back out in the city this morning with Track 17, location of the Wannsee Conference, Bayerische Platz Memorial, and Check Point Charlie, as well as, a piece of the Berlin Wall in passing.
Track 17
Track 17 had a different impact on me than the monuments/memorials from yesterday as this was real, this as a place where like myself once stood, their future in unknown. The station which is still functioning today marks the place where Jews from Berlin were brought to be taken to places such as the Lodz Ghetto and Auschwitz.
Along the remnants of the path run a walkway and on the walkway were dates from months throughout the early 1940s which included the exact date, number of Jews deported, and where they were deported to. As Pinchas (the survivor traveling on Bus 1 later noted the Nazi kept very detailed records of their victims and events.
Wannsee Conference Location
- a villa located on the coast of a Lake (now a weekend 'cottage' town)
- the building now a museum and library (upstairs) covers the material surrounding the Conference and the decisions made prior to and after
- the Conference itself was held on January 20th, 1942; this date being the second time the Conference was organized as the original date (December 1941) was postponed due to the event of Pearl Harbour
- it was not the top senior officials that met at this Conference but those who were carrying out the operations to the 'Final Solution'
- killing was already taking place in Europe, however, this was where the final measures to kill 11 million Jews would be decided upon; on completion of the Conference more killing centers and camps we built
Bayerische Platz Memorial
- located in the middle of a park
- created in 1993 by an artist and a profesor
- old rules that the were inflicted on the Jews now hang on signs behind picture of an object that relate to the restriction (see pictures for example)
- the rules posted are in German; we were asked to wander the area find these signs (not at eye level) and ask locals to translate what was inscribed
- some were reluctant to translate or speak to what the Memorial represented; others were open and shared the information, as well as, additional facts/stories
Check Point Charlie/Old Gestapo Head Quarters/Berlin Wall
- driving through the city later in the morning we past
- Check Point Charlie one of the main checkpoint during the division of the Berlin Wall
- the old Gestapo Headquarters is currently being converted into a museum if I heard correctly
- a large section of the old Berlin Wall stands fully intact to serve as reminder of the obstacle that stood there for so many years dividing a people and a city
- throughout the area there were a large number of tour buses as we were told that many people come here as it was a place of terror and fear, therefore, some souvenir booths sell items such as Soviet uniforms, gas masks, and Communists Flags
After getting some much needed sleep to recharge from from the 36+ hr journey after leaving Toronto on Sunday we were back out in the city this morning with Track 17, location of the Wannsee Conference, Bayerische Platz Memorial, and Check Point Charlie, as well as, a piece of the Berlin Wall in passing.
Track 17
Track 17 had a different impact on me than the monuments/memorials from yesterday as this was real, this as a place where like myself once stood, their future in unknown. The station which is still functioning today marks the place where Jews from Berlin were brought to be taken to places such as the Lodz Ghetto and Auschwitz.
Along the remnants of the path run a walkway and on the walkway were dates from months throughout the early 1940s which included the exact date, number of Jews deported, and where they were deported to. As Pinchas (the survivor traveling on Bus 1 later noted the Nazi kept very detailed records of their victims and events.
Wannsee Conference Location
- a villa located on the coast of a Lake (now a weekend 'cottage' town)
- the building now a museum and library (upstairs) covers the material surrounding the Conference and the decisions made prior to and after
- the Conference itself was held on January 20th, 1942; this date being the second time the Conference was organized as the original date (December 1941) was postponed due to the event of Pearl Harbour
- it was not the top senior officials that met at this Conference but those who were carrying out the operations to the 'Final Solution'
- killing was already taking place in Europe, however, this was where the final measures to kill 11 million Jews would be decided upon; on completion of the Conference more killing centers and camps we built
Bayerische Platz Memorial
- located in the middle of a park
- created in 1993 by an artist and a profesor
- old rules that the were inflicted on the Jews now hang on signs behind picture of an object that relate to the restriction (see pictures for example)
- the rules posted are in German; we were asked to wander the area find these signs (not at eye level) and ask locals to translate what was inscribed
- some were reluctant to translate or speak to what the Memorial represented; others were open and shared the information, as well as, additional facts/stories
Check Point Charlie/Old Gestapo Head Quarters/Berlin Wall
- driving through the city later in the morning we past
- Check Point Charlie one of the main checkpoint during the division of the Berlin Wall
- the old Gestapo Headquarters is currently being converted into a museum if I heard correctly
- a large section of the old Berlin Wall stands fully intact to serve as reminder of the obstacle that stood there for so many years dividing a people and a city
- throughout the area there were a large number of tour buses as we were told that many people come here as it was a place of terror and fear, therefore, some souvenir booths sell items such as Soviet uniforms, gas masks, and Communists Flags
My Thoughts on May 16th
My thoughts on May 16th
Yesterday it begin... after arriving in Berlin the journey through these places that hold so much meaning about not only the Holocaust, but also about the people who are no longer here go share their own story began. After our Group Discussion last night where we all reflected on the day together I was able to let my emotions and feelings settle and put some thoughts together. Coming together as we did last night was so powerful and enriching we we were all able share together our thoughts and as a group support each other in this difficult moments.
Walking through the streets of Berlin in 2011 we sew a very different Berlin with undertones of the past that seem to appear on every block within this city. The city is full of aspects of German reconciliation to the Holocaust and it is difficult to measure the amount of burden/guilt both previous/present/future generations will feel. The number of monuments, memorials, and dedications (e.g. street names). I can only wonder how much these objects still affect Jews in their everyday life so many years later. Have they forgot? Do they remember? Do some continue to turn a blind eye to the situation that took place?
There were to places today that impacted me I'm ways I will have difficulty explaining. The first stop was that of the Memorial to the Gay Victims of the Holocaust. Being at this site I thought of those I know who are gay and who k am blessed to have in my life everyday. These feelings resurfaced in the evening when we held our ceremony indoors to honour these victims (after it had been postponed at the site due to the rain). Stories of those gay victims were bravely read by participants who are openly gay, their voices strong as they stood to represent not only the victim but also themselves and anyone else gay. Following the reads the musical group (including myself) snag True Colours as everyone's emotions from the day began to poor out through the room.
I continue to struggle with what took place last night, I spoke at the discussion last night as to how grateful I am that I get to return home at the end of this and those in my life will still be there. At the same time, I hope that instead of shunning these individuals for their personal choices in present day that we except them for who they are, rather than continuing to punish them like some have in the past.
The National Memorial for Jewish victims in Berlin was overwhelmingly large, but feel that this is necessary to protest just have big the human loss was over 6 million people). I walked through the rows of the blocks as they changed shape, running my hand along them, walking through the rain, trying to grasp at the 'why'. As the blocks got taller it felt as though it they were closing in we the city disappeared before my eyes. John in our group last night described it as the pathway of rows and columns as the restrictions of the Nazi's and the blocks in their varying size and shape represented the uniqueness of every person and them overcoming them.
A few trees were scattered throughout the blocks on the site, and seemed as though they were the glimmer of life and hope for the victims represented here and for the future. I can't help but wonder though of this place in the middle of the city centre impacts the people of Berlin and Germany as it does us? Does it continue to serve the purpose it was intended to? Or has it just become a part of the city and blended into their routine of everyday life.
There was an enormity present in the size of the silence of the victims of the Holocaust, however, at the same time a sense of poetry emerged in some places, maybe the voices of those victims encouraging us and other to tell their stories and not forget them. I am still attempting to process my emotions about these places and their meanings as someone who has no personal connection I believe it will be important for me to reach out to others without the connection, to teach them how it is every human's responsibility to remember these events and respect the differences of one another that make us each so unique and beautiful.
At the end of the day a slight tinge of guilt was present as we can sleep now and we can eat now, something that these people did not have the luxury of knowing on a daily basis. We are extremely privileged in the environment and area of the world we live it, it's not something we all think about on a regular basis, maybe we should.
Yesterday it begin... after arriving in Berlin the journey through these places that hold so much meaning about not only the Holocaust, but also about the people who are no longer here go share their own story began. After our Group Discussion last night where we all reflected on the day together I was able to let my emotions and feelings settle and put some thoughts together. Coming together as we did last night was so powerful and enriching we we were all able share together our thoughts and as a group support each other in this difficult moments.
Walking through the streets of Berlin in 2011 we sew a very different Berlin with undertones of the past that seem to appear on every block within this city. The city is full of aspects of German reconciliation to the Holocaust and it is difficult to measure the amount of burden/guilt both previous/present/future generations will feel. The number of monuments, memorials, and dedications (e.g. street names). I can only wonder how much these objects still affect Jews in their everyday life so many years later. Have they forgot? Do they remember? Do some continue to turn a blind eye to the situation that took place?
There were to places today that impacted me I'm ways I will have difficulty explaining. The first stop was that of the Memorial to the Gay Victims of the Holocaust. Being at this site I thought of those I know who are gay and who k am blessed to have in my life everyday. These feelings resurfaced in the evening when we held our ceremony indoors to honour these victims (after it had been postponed at the site due to the rain). Stories of those gay victims were bravely read by participants who are openly gay, their voices strong as they stood to represent not only the victim but also themselves and anyone else gay. Following the reads the musical group (including myself) snag True Colours as everyone's emotions from the day began to poor out through the room.
I continue to struggle with what took place last night, I spoke at the discussion last night as to how grateful I am that I get to return home at the end of this and those in my life will still be there. At the same time, I hope that instead of shunning these individuals for their personal choices in present day that we except them for who they are, rather than continuing to punish them like some have in the past.
The National Memorial for Jewish victims in Berlin was overwhelmingly large, but feel that this is necessary to protest just have big the human loss was over 6 million people). I walked through the rows of the blocks as they changed shape, running my hand along them, walking through the rain, trying to grasp at the 'why'. As the blocks got taller it felt as though it they were closing in we the city disappeared before my eyes. John in our group last night described it as the pathway of rows and columns as the restrictions of the Nazi's and the blocks in their varying size and shape represented the uniqueness of every person and them overcoming them.
A few trees were scattered throughout the blocks on the site, and seemed as though they were the glimmer of life and hope for the victims represented here and for the future. I can't help but wonder though of this place in the middle of the city centre impacts the people of Berlin and Germany as it does us? Does it continue to serve the purpose it was intended to? Or has it just become a part of the city and blended into their routine of everyday life.
There was an enormity present in the size of the silence of the victims of the Holocaust, however, at the same time a sense of poetry emerged in some places, maybe the voices of those victims encouraging us and other to tell their stories and not forget them. I am still attempting to process my emotions about these places and their meanings as someone who has no personal connection I believe it will be important for me to reach out to others without the connection, to teach them how it is every human's responsibility to remember these events and respect the differences of one another that make us each so unique and beautiful.
At the end of the day a slight tinge of guilt was present as we can sleep now and we can eat now, something that these people did not have the luxury of knowing on a daily basis. We are extremely privileged in the environment and area of the world we live it, it's not something we all think about on a regular basis, maybe we should.
Berlin Day #1
Berlin
Today Germany is a country of 3.4 million people (the 4th largest economic power in the world). Made up of modern states both before and after the war (Berlin to the East and Kerr to the West), all united officially in 1987. Berlin is Slavic for swamp and was originally developed in 1871 by uniting local principalities into "modern" Germany.
Walking through Berlin yesterday was an experience that was interesting yet strange at the same time as placed throughout the city are various memorials, monuments, and sites that reflect pieces and elements of the war and prior. Berlin is one of the cities with some of the, if not the most Holocaust memorials/monuments in Europe.
I am going to attempt to summarize and highlight the important and items that spark numerous feelings over the next few days, at first the accurate names may not be listed, please be patient. Upon my return home as begin to reflect on my journey I will post articles with greater detail on the sites visited on MRH.
Oranienburg Synagogue
- the synagogue was built at the time as a controversial item as it stuck out in Berlin and it was not local to the area
- symbolized, "we can do what we want and we are not afraid"
- on November 9th, 1938 synagogues and Jewish businesses were burned and broken into
- prior to the outbreaks of violence and changes the population of Jews in the area shrunk from a size of approx. 160,000 to approx. 75,000 after people emigrated outward
- this synagogue was burned and a local fireman put out the fire but it is unsure if his actions were ideology based or because the building was so close to others in the neighborhood (the fireman never joined the Nazi party)
- the synagogue was used for storage throughout the war and today is a museum
- today the building is surrounded by a number of security features including roadblocks, laws that don't allow people to stand outside the building, as well as, both uniformed and planned clothed patrol officers for protection and security
First Jewish Cemetery/location of Local Old Age Home
- first tomb is from 1671 (place of birth Vienna), only stone in the cemetery is that of Mendelson the Father of Jewish Enlightenment
- people were brought to the Home beginning in 1941 to be held prior to deportation
- around 55,000 Jews were brought to this 'common' area throughout the Holocaust
- the monument being placed on a stone represents eternity
- Chanie in our group picked up one of the small stones surrounding the the park and placed it on the monument, in the Jewish culture placing a stone on a monument or tomb symbolizes that someone has been there and the are thinking about those people(s)
Functioning Jewish School
- built by Mendelson for Jews to learn to learn 'non-Jewish' subjects (math, science, etc.)
- prior to 18th century Jews did not learn 'external' studies
- security had always been present at this school (and many Jewish schools throughout the world for that matter), " hatred is hatred, bur reasons change"
Missing Section of House
- "come and see what you can't see"
- originally Jewish homes given to Germans, portion of the building was bombed out during the war and not replaced
- the names of the victims are printed on the side of the building next door
- by French/Jewish artist
Stumbling Stones
- "when name is forgotten, person is forgotten"; "better to be seen then not seen at all"
- 17,000 created by a man at a price of 96€ each; 3000 are scattered in the roads throughout Berlin (the biggest monument)
- negatives: small, on the ground, not protected (graffiti)
- positives: gets people to look down, blends into the city (part of life)
Mother With Child
- created by an artist with the first name Cathy; a socialist and a well k own artist
- her art was considered degenerative throughout the war and she was not allowed outside of her home
- the statue is to represent mourning and above it there is an opening in the ceiling (mourning is continual, when it snows there is snow on the statue)
Site of Book Burning at University
- 20,000 books were burned on this day to symbolize the Jewish literature poison that existed in the libraries
- the memorial underground beneath a sheet of glass is simply empty book shelves where those 20,000 books should be
Gay Victim Memorial
- a simple, tall, black concrete block with a video screen inside of two men kissing; something during the Holocaust that could have you arrested, deported, or shot
- as Dustin stated, "something so simple, yet, so powerful"
Reichstag/Brandonburg Gate
- in the centre of the city where the Berlin Wall once stood diving the East and West of the country
- the largest and only remaining gate, this gate has bared witness to history at this lowest and highest moments
- amazing how one piece of history can represent so many things to so many different people
National Jewish Victim Monument
- columns and rows so perfectly straight, yet the blocks amongst them so different, varying in height/depth/width
Today Germany is a country of 3.4 million people (the 4th largest economic power in the world). Made up of modern states both before and after the war (Berlin to the East and Kerr to the West), all united officially in 1987. Berlin is Slavic for swamp and was originally developed in 1871 by uniting local principalities into "modern" Germany.
Walking through Berlin yesterday was an experience that was interesting yet strange at the same time as placed throughout the city are various memorials, monuments, and sites that reflect pieces and elements of the war and prior. Berlin is one of the cities with some of the, if not the most Holocaust memorials/monuments in Europe.
I am going to attempt to summarize and highlight the important and items that spark numerous feelings over the next few days, at first the accurate names may not be listed, please be patient. Upon my return home as begin to reflect on my journey I will post articles with greater detail on the sites visited on MRH.
Oranienburg Synagogue
- the synagogue was built at the time as a controversial item as it stuck out in Berlin and it was not local to the area
- symbolized, "we can do what we want and we are not afraid"
- on November 9th, 1938 synagogues and Jewish businesses were burned and broken into
- prior to the outbreaks of violence and changes the population of Jews in the area shrunk from a size of approx. 160,000 to approx. 75,000 after people emigrated outward
- this synagogue was burned and a local fireman put out the fire but it is unsure if his actions were ideology based or because the building was so close to others in the neighborhood (the fireman never joined the Nazi party)
- the synagogue was used for storage throughout the war and today is a museum
- today the building is surrounded by a number of security features including roadblocks, laws that don't allow people to stand outside the building, as well as, both uniformed and planned clothed patrol officers for protection and security
First Jewish Cemetery/location of Local Old Age Home
- first tomb is from 1671 (place of birth Vienna), only stone in the cemetery is that of Mendelson the Father of Jewish Enlightenment
- people were brought to the Home beginning in 1941 to be held prior to deportation
- around 55,000 Jews were brought to this 'common' area throughout the Holocaust
- the monument being placed on a stone represents eternity
- Chanie in our group picked up one of the small stones surrounding the the park and placed it on the monument, in the Jewish culture placing a stone on a monument or tomb symbolizes that someone has been there and the are thinking about those people(s)
Functioning Jewish School
- built by Mendelson for Jews to learn to learn 'non-Jewish' subjects (math, science, etc.)
- prior to 18th century Jews did not learn 'external' studies
- security had always been present at this school (and many Jewish schools throughout the world for that matter), " hatred is hatred, bur reasons change"
Missing Section of House
- "come and see what you can't see"
- originally Jewish homes given to Germans, portion of the building was bombed out during the war and not replaced
- the names of the victims are printed on the side of the building next door
- by French/Jewish artist
Stumbling Stones
- "when name is forgotten, person is forgotten"; "better to be seen then not seen at all"
- 17,000 created by a man at a price of 96€ each; 3000 are scattered in the roads throughout Berlin (the biggest monument)
- negatives: small, on the ground, not protected (graffiti)
- positives: gets people to look down, blends into the city (part of life)
Mother With Child
- created by an artist with the first name Cathy; a socialist and a well k own artist
- her art was considered degenerative throughout the war and she was not allowed outside of her home
- the statue is to represent mourning and above it there is an opening in the ceiling (mourning is continual, when it snows there is snow on the statue)
Site of Book Burning at University
- 20,000 books were burned on this day to symbolize the Jewish literature poison that existed in the libraries
- the memorial underground beneath a sheet of glass is simply empty book shelves where those 20,000 books should be
Gay Victim Memorial
- a simple, tall, black concrete block with a video screen inside of two men kissing; something during the Holocaust that could have you arrested, deported, or shot
- as Dustin stated, "something so simple, yet, so powerful"
Reichstag/Brandonburg Gate
- in the centre of the city where the Berlin Wall once stood diving the East and West of the country
- the largest and only remaining gate, this gate has bared witness to history at this lowest and highest moments
- amazing how one piece of history can represent so many things to so many different people
National Jewish Victim Monument
- columns and rows so perfectly straight, yet the blocks amongst them so different, varying in height/depth/width
Monday, May 16, 2011
Update on Day 1.
Today was a great day and right now I attempting to process everything I have experienced and felt. I am going to take the time to write this all out on our 9 hour by ride tomorrow. Tonight I have been sharing my room with Rachelle who is from Toronto and her grandfather is a survivor.
Please see my Facebook for a few select photos of our journeys today.
Please see my Facebook for a few select photos of our journeys today.
Trucking Along.
First plane ride down and one short one to go before we arrive at our final destination of Berlin, Germany around 11 o'clock on Monday May 16th. The flight was fairly uneventful, lack of internet made it difficult for me to post my orientation summary blog and this blog until now as we have an hour layover in Frankfurt.
Most of the flight was spent trying to get a few hours of sleep while also taking what time we could at the wee hours of the morning to get to know those around us a little better.
This morning as we awaited the arrival of the sun and breakfast a few of us talked about experiences and who we are marching for on the trip. Again, and I know it will continue as the week progresses, it is intestine to listen to everyone's perspectives/stories as to what brought them to today. For some those specifics are still being work out and the self discovery portion of the journey will aid in that.
What lays in store for us today is a walking tour of Berlin, including:
- The Neue Wache War Memorial
- Grosse Hamburger Strasse
- Bebelplatz
- Oranienburg Synagogue
- Reichstag/Brandenburg Gate
- Tiergarten Memorial
- Rosemstrasse Monument
- Hitler's Bunker
- Holocaust Memorial & Museum or Bayerische Platz (TBC)
Information on all of this locations (as well as links to sites) can be found on my previous posting on my Weebly site.
In addition to these locations we will be performing a small ceremony at the Memorial for Gay Holocaust victims. During out time at the time various participants who are gay will perform readings over our headsets, followed by the vocal group performing a rendition of True Colours (Cyndi Lauper). While these items take place, participants will have a opportunity to view the video shown at the memorial which is presently of two women kissing. This monument was only erected three years ago, and every two years the video is changed from two men to two women.
Most of the flight was spent trying to get a few hours of sleep while also taking what time we could at the wee hours of the morning to get to know those around us a little better.
This morning as we awaited the arrival of the sun and breakfast a few of us talked about experiences and who we are marching for on the trip. Again, and I know it will continue as the week progresses, it is intestine to listen to everyone's perspectives/stories as to what brought them to today. For some those specifics are still being work out and the self discovery portion of the journey will aid in that.
What lays in store for us today is a walking tour of Berlin, including:
- The Neue Wache War Memorial
- Grosse Hamburger Strasse
- Bebelplatz
- Oranienburg Synagogue
- Reichstag/Brandenburg Gate
- Tiergarten Memorial
- Rosemstrasse Monument
- Hitler's Bunker
- Holocaust Memorial & Museum or Bayerische Platz (TBC)
Information on all of this locations (as well as links to sites) can be found on my previous posting on my Weebly site.
In addition to these locations we will be performing a small ceremony at the Memorial for Gay Holocaust victims. During out time at the time various participants who are gay will perform readings over our headsets, followed by the vocal group performing a rendition of True Colours (Cyndi Lauper). While these items take place, participants will have a opportunity to view the video shown at the memorial which is presently of two women kissing. This monument was only erected three years ago, and every two years the video is changed from two men to two women.
Education, Experience, Expectations
Today was a day full of information, introductions, and connections. The morning spent in the conference room at the Sheraton hotel was a fury of activity as we learned about what to expect from the journey and learn about each other.
The morning began over bagels and creme cheese where they highlighted Who We Will Meet, what the Canadian Centre for Diversity is, and the Role of the Facilitator. After the introduction to the program we broke into our first set of many groups for the morning, the first topic of discussion was that of Community Commitments. These commitments are ones that we will try to consciously follow throughout the trip to help us respect one another, as well as, each others ideas and opinions.
Transitioning to our next group our topic of discussion was "Who Are You," where we were asked (1)Name, (2)What people who know you know about you, and (3)What people who really know you know about you. This activity gave us all an opportunity to open up to each other a level that we were comfortable with.
World Cafe was the next task at hand where again we rotated through different groups, this time revisiting the topis of the Webinar discussions over the past two months. The Paradigm, Antesemitism, Victims of the Holocaust, and finally the MRH Experience. Talking about the MRH experience the key points highlighted by many were the transformation that will likely occur as a result of the journey and the collective aspect of the trip (involved students representing the future generation). The cominalities that we share are the desire to learn, the aspect of prevention, and the reality we face today. Following up the World Cafe the facilitators reenforced the acknowledgment of the differences of each group affected and the term Jew became negative when everything bad became associated with it.
Our break for lunch came and went and we spent the remainder of the afternoon meeting Paul, the social worker traveling with us and then coming together in our Core Learning Group (CLG). In our CLG we spent time refreshing on house keeping items and then getting to know what was on each other's mind through three key questions. (1) One thing you can't stop thinking about?, (2) One thing you know for sure about the Holocuast; one thing you are unsure about, (3) The heart of the matter?
We are now sitting at the airport waiting to get on our fight and I can honestly say that this group of people is an amazing group of individuals and I am really grateful to be apart of it.
The morning began over bagels and creme cheese where they highlighted Who We Will Meet, what the Canadian Centre for Diversity is, and the Role of the Facilitator. After the introduction to the program we broke into our first set of many groups for the morning, the first topic of discussion was that of Community Commitments. These commitments are ones that we will try to consciously follow throughout the trip to help us respect one another, as well as, each others ideas and opinions.
Transitioning to our next group our topic of discussion was "Who Are You," where we were asked (1)Name, (2)What people who know you know about you, and (3)What people who really know you know about you. This activity gave us all an opportunity to open up to each other a level that we were comfortable with.
World Cafe was the next task at hand where again we rotated through different groups, this time revisiting the topis of the Webinar discussions over the past two months. The Paradigm, Antesemitism, Victims of the Holocaust, and finally the MRH Experience. Talking about the MRH experience the key points highlighted by many were the transformation that will likely occur as a result of the journey and the collective aspect of the trip (involved students representing the future generation). The cominalities that we share are the desire to learn, the aspect of prevention, and the reality we face today. Following up the World Cafe the facilitators reenforced the acknowledgment of the differences of each group affected and the term Jew became negative when everything bad became associated with it.
Our break for lunch came and went and we spent the remainder of the afternoon meeting Paul, the social worker traveling with us and then coming together in our Core Learning Group (CLG). In our CLG we spent time refreshing on house keeping items and then getting to know what was on each other's mind through three key questions. (1) One thing you can't stop thinking about?, (2) One thing you know for sure about the Holocuast; one thing you are unsure about, (3) The heart of the matter?
We are now sitting at the airport waiting to get on our fight and I can honestly say that this group of people is an amazing group of individuals and I am really grateful to be apart of it.
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