We have entered the Hebrew month of the yom’s, “the days.” These are not Biblical or Rabbinic holidays or commemorations. Rather, they are modern moments in our Jewish history. On Wednesday evening, we lit six candles to remember the six million Jews who were murdered in the Holocaust. As a child, I have a vivid memory of watching Holocaust survivors, like my Hebrew teacher Mrs. Szafran, walking down the sanctuary aisle to kindle the flames. This week, all six candles at Sinai Temple were lit by children of survivors, for as time passes, it is now our generation that must carry the responsibility to tell their stories.
Our Yom HaShoah evening was marked by hearing the testimony of Paul Kester, a 100-year-old Sinai Temple Holocaust survivor. Paul grew up in Germany, and his parents had the courage to send him alone as a 10-year-old child on the Kindertransport, where he made his way to Sweden. He was saved, but he never saw his parents again.
At the end of his talk, Paul told us these words” “There are no easy answers. But we must do everything to speak up.” Paul continually told us so much of his life was lucky. I told him because of his luck, we have been blessed.
Just seven days later, we commemorate Yom HaZikaron, Israel’s memorial day, remembering those who have fallen to defend the Jewish state. Over these past two years, Mount Herzl, Israel’s military cemetery, and so many other cemeteries around Israel have filled too quickly with lives lost, dreams shattered, and families bereaved.
Yet, we know just hours after, we bring in Yom Ha’atzmaut, a day where we do in fact celebrate 77 years of Israel in this world.
Yesterday, in the March of the Living ceremony at Auschwitz, released Israeli hostage Agam Berger stood before thousands and played the violin from a Jewish musician who was murdered in the Holocaust. It was a moment of restoration, a moment of hope, and a moment of knowing that we as a people have the strength to create a better tomorrow.
