I have found reinforcement to one of the themes of my 20th Century United States History course that WW II impacted and changed our country more so than any other event in its history. The economic, political, military and cultural changes that were direct results from the outcome of World War II are and continue to be essentially significant but I also stress the influence the War has on the Women’s Rights Movement, the Civil Rights movement, the G. I. Bill progressing our society into the educated class and the creation of the environment which made the single dwelling, nuclear family possible.
I thought of this concept while we were in Volos and saw these amazing individuals who are in the second halves of their lives attempting to slow time as they hold on to their memories and past with their devotion to the maintaining their synagogue, community and Jewish identities. Sadly, you can feel the terminal severity of the reality of what the future holds for them. The gradual decline of their institution from the destruction of their culture in 1945 throughout the slow passage of time that could not bring about any hope for a full recovery. Although we are watching the effects of the War here still today in a current evolution, they still fight on. My admiration for their efforts became emotional with the reality they face. The impact on them in 2019 is built on the horrible foundation of the Nazi actions during WW II. Those events have continued to impact them throughout time to the current day to an oncoming sad and failing reality. But at the same time they are here victoriously for however long they can and that identification was celebratory for me. The have faced several variables over the last 70 years and the destruction of their community in 1945 failed because they are still here. Tens of thousands of them or 34, the numbers are not the score but every time they unlock the door of the synagogue does for me.
Jim Lucot is a teacher at Seneca Valley Senior High School.