By: Ricki Prince
On Monday the 13th of Sivan 5785 (June 9th, 2025), Ganzach Kiddush Hashem held an intergenerational gathering of female Holocaust survivors and grade seven girls. The program, titled “Yesupar La’Dor” (It Shall be Told to the Generation), was a collaboration between Ganzach Kiddush Hashem, Misgav LeKashish day center for seniors, and the Bais Yaakov Ohel Chasya school of Telz Stone (Kiryat Yearim). Held at Misgav LeKashish, the event began with the approximately 80 girls – holding bright pink helium balloons with the Hebrew phrase for “nice to meet you” printed on them – greeting around 30 survivors, with festive music playing in the background.
The formal program then began with introductory remarks from staff members of the participating organizations. Notably, Rebbetzin Esther Farbstein, a prominent Holocaust scholar and Ganzach Kiddush Hashem’s academic advisor, as well as head of the Center for Holocaust Studies at Michlalah Jerusalem College, addressed the girls on the significance and unique privilege the girls had in meeting and listening to the participating survivors firsthand. Following the introductory remarks, the girls entertained the survivors with a musical presentation, which included singing, live music, and a music video on the theme of faith in G-d. The survivors were invited to sing along and were provided with the song lyrics at each of their seats. The students then presented a large poster portraying what they gained from their Holocaust Studies classes, as well as the personal experiences of some of their family members. The poster was provided to the students by Ganzach Kiddush Hashem along with other educational resources, including guest speakers from our distinguished repertoire of lecturers, to complement their Holocaust curriculum and to prepare them for the intergenerational meeting.
Rebbetzin Esther Farbstein addressing the girls and the survivors
The survivor participants
After sharing the poster, several girls were chosen by their teachers to share what they had gained from studying the Holocaust. All of the girls emphasized the strength of the Jewish faith and Jewish heroism that they clearly saw in their lessons. Six of the distinguished survivors were then asked to come forward and answer several pre-prepared questions about their experiences. These survivors represented a range of experiences, from a woman who was hidden as a baby in Holland, to a woman who was imprisoned in Auschwitz as a late teen. The survivors were asked how old they were when the war started, where they were born, about memories from their parents’ homes, their childhood dreams, and for tips on reaching their “golden age” happily. The focus of the dialogue, however, was on the survivors’ faith during hardships, from times gone by and today, during the current Iron Swords War in Israel, which all in attendance are currently living through. These special women strongly gave over the message that faith and trust in G-d is precious and it is what continues to give them strength in life. Despite harsh circumstances, the survivors asserted that one always has G-d to lean on. One survivor, for example, spoke about how after all she went through during the Holocaust, she lost not one but two grandchildren in the current war. This dignified woman evidently has much to mourn, yet she firmly told the girls that holding onto her faith is an imperative that keeps her going.
Following the discussion with the six survivors, the entire group was treated to a private concert by a guest performer. The dignified and thoughtful girls invited the survivors to come dance with them. The respect the girls had for the survivors was clear as they approached them to offer assistance in joining the dancing as well as to converse and hear more about their lives. The energy in the room was great as staff, students, and survivors alike danced to the uplifting music. The “simchat hachaim” (joie de vivre) of the survivors, despite everything they went through, was truly palpable. I would be remiss if I did not mention the interaction I noticed between two survivors at this point in the event. The two women rose from their seats to join the dancing circle, and one, grasping the hand of the other, declared: “We survived the Holocaust, we must dance!”
An Auschwitz survivor enthusiastically dancing with the girls
As the event winded down, the participating survivors received a goodie bag of refreshments, as well as a gift of matches and a tray to discard the used matches on when lighting Shabbat and holiday candles. Like the light of their candles, the survivors brought light to the girls by sharing their enduring faith in G-d. The girls, as well as the staff of Misgav LeKashish, Ohel Chasya, and Ganzach Kiddush Hashem, all left the event inspired. The lessons learned from the holy women – the precious Holocaust survivors – will surely stay with all those present for the rest of their lives
