The Canadian Jewish News, Thursday, June 10, 1993-Page 9
Canada
Jeff Budd of Kitchener, Ont., and Jodi Litwack of Toronto celebrate Yom Yerushalayim in Israel.
return
mission
By DEE KRAMER
TORONTO - Fony-ihree university students from 18 communities across Canada have completed a trip of a lifetime. They spent four days in Poland where they visited Warsaw on the 50ih anniversary of the ghetto uprising, shared the pain telt by a survivor of tlie death carnpsas she laid to rest some of her past, and confronted anti-Semitism. And they spent nine days in Israel reaffirming life and continuity.
The student, program was called Anguish to Hope. It was initiated by AVen-dy Eisenl co-chair of the CJC's education and continuity committee; and was spon-. sored by the Canadian Jewish Congress (CJC); United Israel Appeal of Canada, and local Jewish federations.
Jeff Budd. 23. a poitical science graduate from York University; found the trip so profound that he plans on returning to Israel to volunteer on renewal projects; ^'Poland brought home how nearly the Jews were destroyed. Seeing the emptiness of the Jewish quarter. . .reinforced that I have to do something for the State of Israel — to get my hands dirty."
Having Anna Heilman, a survivor of the Majdanek and Auschwitz death camps, with them in Poland was very special for the students. They felt the camp guides gave them the royal treatment because of her. She also inade the experience personal for them. "As soon as she was asked, she would volunteer information." says Jodi Litwack (one of the group leaders, aiid Wendy Eisen's daughter). "Biit she would also pause and ask us if [what she was telling us] was too much for lis. She would ask us if we were: OK before she would continue."
Heilman's sister, Esther, was one of four women executed in Auschwitz in January 1945 for smuggling gunpowder to the camp's underground resistance who used it to blow up one of the crematoria. This was Heilman's first trip back to Poland since 1945 when the Germans evacuated Auschwitz and took the inmates oh their infamous death march.
Visiting Majdanek with the students was also special for Heilman. "I talk when the students ask me ... their questions probing, sensitive, bring back memories and associations not. representeid but deeply buried
, ., until we come to the collective grave of the ashes, a round mound of ashes that were carefully scooped to t'est in one place under a protective dome of gray stone that looks like a kippa on the reassuring head of a father.
"A student asks me, 'How do you feel?" What 1 felt there was relief. I have found my parents grave. Finally. I can say a brachah over them."
The Polish leg of the trip was not just an experience of history. It left the group, members with a multitude of impressions and experiences. Some very disturbing.
On their walks around the old Jewish quarter of Krakow, they saw the ghostly remains of what had been a large, vibrant Jewish society. There were stains on door posts where mezuzahs had been. Shuls and synagogues were now museums and office buildings. "There was no sign of any Jews except in the cemetery,'.' says Budd. "It was as if Jews were likie [extinct] dinosaurs;" '
There was anti-Semitic graffiti. Under a bridge was large lettering with "Gaz=Jude" (gas equals Jews). "We wondered how long it had been there, and how long it would stay before it was wiped off." says Litwack.
They also experienced anti-Semitisrii when they were kicked out of a bar because they were Jewish — many of; the students were wearing chai's and Magen Davids. "Anti-Semitism is so open there," says Ruth Sternberg, 22, who is studying geography at Ryerson Polytechnic. "It was an eye-ojjener to experience it. It was shocking."
One of the goals of the program was to give the group the opportunity to talk to Polish students. These were not run-of-the-mill students. They were non-Jews studying Hebrew and Jewish studies at a post-graduate level.
The juxtaposition of Poland to Israel has made Israel infinitely more important to the students. "I don't even know how to express how it felt to [arrive in Israel]," says Budd. ''You're on the plane leaving Poland, and then you are 'Home.' I ran off the plane. It was incredible, I jurhped onto the ground. I was just sp happy to be there; to be among my people, my place, my home. I will be changed forever from this trip."
1
Kabbalist Rabbi Yehuda Ashlag (1886-1955)
kn the early 1920's Kabbalist Rabbi Yehuda Ashlag warned the Jewish communities of Europe that a "black cloud was hovering over European Jewry". He sent letters to all the leading European rabbis pleading with them to incorporate the spiritual powers of the Zohar and Kabbalah into Jewish life. His
efforts were refuted- Once again, Kabbalists and the holy Zohar tell us that another black cloud is hovering over world Jewry. According to ancient Judaic teachings, this time it will not be limited to one specific region.
This is an important opportunity for the Jewish community to understand the tme origins ofv^nti-Semitism. According to Jewish s^es, Kabbalah provides us with a powerful formula for terminating this disease permanently. Some may disagree. Others will support. This has | been the trend for 2000 years. However, knowledge is power. Hear the evidence. Then you can make an informed decision. Gan Jews really afford to ignore this problem once again.'' Throughout history,, protest, legislation, museums and memorials have failed to end this disease. .
Origins
of
Anti-Semitism
A Fascinating Lecture Plus a Special Documentary on Kabbalah
Sunday June 13,1993 8:00 p.m.
The Kabbalah Learning Centre
678 SH1:I'I'AR1) A\l:., WVSi iM nr<n)fB,,il-nr<t,
(416)631-9395
(^i ! Nov. For FK; i Rl SI j;\.\!!i»Ns, Si AliNo FlM!!!
Jeff Budd of Kitchener, Ont., (far left), Debra Karby of Vancouver, (far right), Anat Ovics of Edmonton, (centre right) and Yossi Tanuri, Israeli Madrich (centre left), tour an abandoned Syrian Bunker on the Golan Heights.
EM'AHilsHM) 1\- l! K r.sAl IM 1922 OlRlCTOR: R A B H 1 PlilllP BfRcI
71