Resilience

In the morning we visited the new Holocaust Memorial on the site of the Jewish Cemetery. The Cemetery was desecrated by the Nazis in 1941. The University expanded on the site.  Not until 2014 was a memorial dedicated to their memory. The few graves that remain are covered in graffiti, as are most of the buildings in this town. I remember Avi’s words – of the importance of preserving those memories and how the desecration of a loved one’s grave while not an outward act of violence, is like a knife through one’s soul.  The resilience of spirit that we felt at the Shabbat dinner last night given the eventual loss of this entire community is awe inspiring. Although our day was long yesterday, today I am reflecting on the power that memory has. The desire to perservere, to rebuild, to create life is embodied in this community and the lives of those I have had the honor of meeting. Their warmth and open hearts embraced our mission and welcomed us into their lives. I have touched a part of history that will not be here in a few generations. I want to preserve their memory through my teaching, so that we can never forget…