The below picture I took at Treblinka, a concentration camp in Poland. This sums up how I feel about the Holocaust. If the picutre is taking a long time to load, please read my "journal" (below the picture) first, then come back to see the picture. I feel that this picture is very important. Please do not forget to look at it.
The March of the Living changed my view on life forever. I will never forget my experiences and the friends I have made.
We left on Sunday April 14 and came home on April 28,1996. We visited cities that included Warsaw, Lubin, Krakow, Tel Aviv, Jerusalem and many more. We several different camps. Those included, Auschwitz I, Auschwitz II-Birkenau, Madjanek and Treblinka. Other places are Mila 18, a small village called Tikochin, Warsaw Ghetto and several Jewish Cemeteries.
On Monday April 15, 1996 we went to see the Warsaw Ghetto, Mila 18, Warsaw Jewish Cemetery, and other museums. The first day was depressing because Poland was not a place that I would call home.
On Tuesday, the actually March occurred. Auschwitz I and II-Birkenau, were disturbing. We were able to go into the several different "blocks" in which Jews were torched, experimented on, or even died in. We were able to see mounds of hair, shoes and eyeglasses that were stripped from the Jews upon their arrival to these camps. Surrounding the camps were two layers of high electrified barber wire. Next to these sets of barber wire were strategic placed guard houses. It remind me of a prison.
At Treblinka the Nazi officers were able to destroy everything before the American troops arrived. It was so that the Nazis could hide their crimes. With help of from the Polish government and the 50 survivors, a memorial was set up in is original setting. Everything was shown with stones. For an example, blocks of stone were laid horizontally to represent the tracks, and blocks were placed standing up to represent the electric fence. One thing that stuck out in my mind was the fact that there were over 17,000 stones to represent each village that the 860,000 prisoners came from (in the above picture in the background you are able to see them). At one point all I was able to see was uncut tombstones.
The next day we went to a cemetery where our group leader, Chaim's, great, great grandfather's grave. It was interesting to see a tombstone that was older than anyone I know. Next stop was the last camp that we would see, Majdanek. This was the worst of all the camps we saw because it could be started in half and hour. It was in near perfect condition. This camp was located in the heart of Lubin, a city that served as thousands of peoples homes during World War II. We were able to go into the gas chambers, crematorium, and several barracks.
On Friday we went back to Auschwitz. We were able to take a guided tour.
On Saturday April 20, 1996 we went to services in Krakow. We were able to take a walking tour of Krakow and surrounding temples. We prepared for our flight it Israel.
Finally after being in Poland for just about one week, all of us were ready to go to our homeland, Israel. We stayed at Youth Hostels in Sfat and Jerusalem. Those spots were centrally located so that we would be able to do a various activities.
Our first day, Sunday April 21, 1996 we went to Atlit, an illegal immigration camp, the town of Acco and the Acco Prison.
On our second day we went to a kibbutzim in the Galilee area and Tiberias. Since it was the erev of Yom Hazikaron, we went to a ceremony on top of the mountains. It was chilly but a very nice service.
On Tuesday April 23, 1996 it was Yom Hazikaron (Israel's Memorial Day). We were able to plant a tree (see my picture on my homepage). We then went off roading in Jeep Wranglers. We were able to see some beautiful mountains and some interesting sites.
The next day was Yom Haatzmaut (Israel's Independence Day). We went to a biblical site. There we learned about the tress and flowers that Israel is proud to have. That night all 9,000 teens from around the world meet at an army base called Laturn. There was signing, dancing, food, fireworks and a laser show! You name it, it was there! It was one of my best nights that I have ever lived.
On Thursday April 25, 1996 we started the day by praying at the Kotel. Then we went digging at an archeology site. We found some pots, bowls and even some teeth! For dinner we went to Tel Aviv. We were able to go shopping and get some good food. If you took advantage of the time you could have Chinese food like I did with my friends. After we were picked up by the bus we were taken to Jaffe for some more shopping. What a tiring day!
On Friday April 26, 1996 we went to Yad Mordechai. We did not have the chance to spend a lot of time here but we did manage to make it to the Children's Memorial. Something that you must see for yourself. After the museum we went to Mt. Herzl. We saw Rabin's grave and a memorial for fallen soldiers.
On Saturday April 27, 1996 we went to services and had the opportunity to do a walking tour of Jerusalem. We prepared for the flight home.
On Sunday, we arrived home. We were 100% jet lagged, and happy to be home in one piece.
I would love to put my whole picture album onto this web site, however I do not have the proper equipment to do so. Therefore I am unable to post any of my favorite pictures. If you would like to ask any questions about the trip please e mail me. .
Here is a picture of my friends that were on the March of the Living!
