On our last night in Poland, I sit with gratitude in my heart. I’m grateful for the wonderfully opportunity to meet new people, explore a new country and learn about the holocaust in such an authentic way, no book could ever match. Meeting a survivor with such strength, Howard exudes the definition of resilience and perseverance. At each stop we made, one theme resonated to me; every person matters.
At the Emmanuel R. Jewish Historical Institute, we observed artifacts and read the stories of those that had lost their lives during this unimaginable time. It celebrated their stories and showed that every life that perished, mattered.
At Treblinka, we saw Howard’s family memorial site and the victims of this terrible extermination camp. Every family from surrounding towns were honored and remembered there.
In Lublin, the NN Theater is preserving the Jewish memory of the members of the town that perished during this horrific time. Every person! Names were written down, stories were shared, truly keeping their memory alive.
In Auschwitz, the book of names found there proves that every person mattered. Every life that was lost is precious, valuable and worthy of living.
We also heard about another survivor’s story, Stanley. He survived and lived on to have children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. Because he survived, generations after him will tell his story and live on.
Every life matters.