Details Streaming In!

More emails coming in today as I can a better insight into the details of the MRH trip.

So far:

- I am in Core Learning Group/Bus 1 along with 29 other participants

- The group will take part in a full day of orientation the day we leave for the trip in order for us to all get to know each other/prepare for the road ahead of us

- I depart on May 15th from Toronto at 6.20 in the evening where we will connect in Frankfurt airport before moving onto Berlin

- I have 4 Webinars coming up over the next few weeks in order to learn more about the other participants and to gain valuable background knowledge for the trip

- We have to survivors who will be traveling with us throughout the trip to provide us with first hand experience tours of the various sites

- I will be required to read, "A History of the Holocaust" by Yehuda Bauer in preparation for the journey

The more details I receive the more the excitement builds. 

Listening to: Across the Universe - The Beatles

Media Attention

In the past few weeks there have been a number of headlines in the news regarding people in the world making anti-semetic statements.  Unfortunately, many of these people are individuals who are in the spotlight and are those in which some look up to.  Many are unsure why these comments have been made, additionally, there is the underlying issue of if these statements or videos are even true.

Comments such as these made in general or to specific individuals are not appropriate and many take offence.  Personally when anti-semitic comments are made I find them similar to when someone calls a person a 'douche' or 'homo'.  As someone who has gay friends these snide remarks directly impact my friends and indirectly impact me.  

It's sad that it has to take someone 'famous' making these comments for light to be brought upon this issue.  There are people out there everyday who make these racist remarks but it goes unnoticed for the most part expect to those who are directly/indirectly affected.  The bottom line is that no one should be making comments such as this at any time to anyone.  There is not need for such hatred and all it takes it one person to be the beginning to the end.


Listening to: Young Blood - The Naked & Famous

And the emails arrive.

The first of many emails has found itself to my inbox this afternoon.  Nothing too detailed yet just information on general items and such.  However, an itinerary from last year was included and there are no words for how AMAZING this trip is going to be.

I'm not going into a lot of detail just yet as things can change from year to year but as soon as I have this year's a will share it.  The historical places and areas of Germany/Poland we will be visiting are places I have only dreamed of and to potentially have them all packed into one experience in unimaginable.

More to come from me soon!

a.

Listening to: Shout it Out - Hanson

A Story Retold...

This article was published in the Hamilton Spectator on Friday February 25th, 2011.
The author discusses how Auschwitz will be updated with funding in order to tell retell its story to those of the present and future generations.  It highlights how important it is to explain to those who visit all of the acts and decisions that took place at the camp during the time of the war.


From memorializing to teaching: Auschwitz updates its purpose for a different generation

 “When I am at Auschwitz I start looking at the world and at my own life. I remind myself of what’s important, which is so easy to forget. In the kingdom of death you can find the meaning of life. At the biggest cemetery in the world I know what I live for.”

- Marek Zajac