Salaspins Concentration Camp Memorial - Riga, Latvia (photo: Joey Eisman)

Today, January 27, marks the United Nations’s International Holocaust Remembrance Day.

Around the world, JDC works in communities that were ravaged by the Holocaust. Many of our JDC Jewish Service Corps (JSC) Fellows interact with survivors on a daily basis, and the memories of this terrible time remain strong in the cities where we operate in Europe and the Former Soviet Union.

To commemorate International Holocaust Rememberence Day, we pulled together blog posts from our current JSC Fellows that look at survivors and memorials around the world.

• Yahel, our JSC Fellow in Berlin, participated in Limmud Day in Hamburg, where the Holocaust was “undeniably in the background.”
• Michelle, serving in Kharkov, Ukraine, details her visits with Nazi-victims and her experience at the Holocaust memorial site in Drobitsky Yar.
• Kara, also serving in Kharkov, works at the JDC Hesed in the region, and many of her clients are Nazi-victims. Here’s a look at some of these incredible individuals.
• Joey, serving in Riga, Latvia, visits the former site of the Salaspins concentration camp, which was at one time the largest such camp in the Baltics.
• Heather, serving in Mumbai, India, shares a very frank Holocaust-driven moment with an Indian Jewish colleague.

Applications for the 2012-13 JDC Jewish Service Corps are open until March 15. More at jdc.org/jsc

Students from Yeshiva University are on the ground in Kharkov, Ukraine, serving with JDC Short-Term Service. Below are a series of posts (and pictures!) from various pariticipants.

Shabbat Shalom from Kharkov!!!

Airport Delays, New Friends

We arrived at the airport to the news that we were delayed 5 hours. Best. So we to our $12 vouchers and proceeded to take over JFK. Some got kicked out of stores, some disappeared to watch the Giants game and others (actually just one) went home. After dinner (sadly it was not Carlos and Gabby’s) and some revealing icebreakers, it was time to start going through security.

Before we knew it we were on the plane ready to begin our journey to Ukraine. We slept for most of the ride, then had to catch our connecting flight from Kiev to Kharkov.

We then boarded a tiny propellor plane unknowingly without all of our luggage. After the stress of dealing with the missing luggage, we were met with a happy display from our peers. They greeted us with balloons and smiles, as eager to become our friends as we were to become theirs.

Our welcome committee in Kharkov!

Some icebreakers followed: speed dating, arranging ourselves according to height and age, and supporting Ksushya while she walked on a rope. After dinner we went back to the hotel for some much needed sleep.

I personally felt that the whole travel part of the trip was great and those hours in JFK helped bond us as a group which was important for us to become before we were thrown together with the peers. Also, the language barrier really threw me off. I had known that it would be there but I foolishly assumed it would be that everyone speaks a little English. I was forced to learn to communicate in other ways or to just smile and pretend like I knew what was being said.

- Atara Clark

First full-day in Kharkov

At the JDC-supported Hesed in Kharkov

Pri-Vyet, or ‘Hi’ in Russian. Today was our first full day of ‘Project Kharkov’ and boy was it packed with events.  After feeling emotional highs and lows of the Warm Home visits and our visit to the Holocaust memorial site of Drobitski-Yar, the day was far from over.

We returned to the Wohl Center in Kharkov and were privileged to see some of the projects that the center promotes for its Jewish community members in the form of a show. We sat down in the auditorium and watched all kinds of talented performances by some of the Jewish community members.

From the interesting Sand Art creation depicting scenes of traditional Jewish life to the blacklight dances and song performances, it was a masterpiece. We all could see the vibrancy of the Jewish community as it is manifested through the Wohl center. Jewish Ukrainians of all ages poured their hearts out to us in their performances. I personally felt honored to have this private concert which embodied real talent, personal pride and the resurgence of the Jewish community in Kharkov.

- Ben Scheiner

Reflecting on our visit to Drobitsky Yar

How could a place of such evil look so picturesque? Drobitsky Yar: a tranquil ravine…and a mass grave. In December 1941 the Nazis herded the 30,000 Jews of Kharkov here and, in the snowfilled valley, murdered every man, woman, and child.

We Americans arrived at the Drobitsky Yar memorial with simple expectations. We assumed we would recite a poem, read a psalm, say some prayers, light candles, and generally pay our respects to the dead. What we also got, however, was an elaborate and powerful ceremony. Along with our Ukrainian peers, we stood in front of the memorial, which consists of a giant white arch that towers over a statue of the twin tablets.

As we waited in the silence of dusk, a mournful tune sounded and speakers blared the “shema yisroel.” Then, six people, a mixture of ages representing the victims of the holocaust, began to slowly ascend the steps of the memorial towards the tablets. Suddenly, four people cloaked in white, representing angels, began to descend from the top of the steps towards the victims. The angels halted in front of them and, to the keen of mournful music, lay candles at the victims’ feet, signaling the victims’ deaths. Indeed, the victims then ascended to the top of the stairs, the “heaven” from which the “angels” came, and slowly disappeared over the other side. After a momentary pause, which we used to digest the eerie scene, we followed the victims up the steps and, with an unobstructed view of the ravine, placed roses on the tablets. Looking at the tablets we could see they contained but one commandment repeated ten times: Do Not Kill. Perhaps of all the other parts of the memorial, those tablets where the most meaningful and powerful.

Indeed, the memorial tablets accentuate the bonds that tie us and our Ukrainian peers together. At first glance, with our different cultures, appearances, religious observance, and even languages, we share little in common. What we do have, however, is a common identity. We come from the same forefathers, our ancestors suffered the same persecution, they lived and prospered together, and we all feel that we belong to the Jewish people.

The Nazis hunted the Jews as a nation regardless of language or religious observance. How fitting is it then that when we gather to mourn the victims of the holocaust we demonstrate that enduring bond of peoplehood that crosses all other boundaries. We affirm our common identity and, in doing so, honor those who died for it.

- Shmuel Lamm 

Visiting the Jewish community in Poltova, Ukraine

Giving gifts to the Ukrainian peers for the youth center in the Poltava Jewish community

This morning we traveled to Poltova but stopped at various locations along the way. We visited some tourists sites as well as a souvenir shop. The most popular souvenir bought was the  matryoshka doll. We then went to the Hesed center. Due to generous donations, we were able to donate many gifts including Xboxes, laptops and PSPs. Our group proceeded to split up into groups and help out in various aspects of the center. Some tasks that we did were painting doors of an office, scraping off old wallpaper, and insulating windows.

The center was thrilled with what we accomplished and appreciated all of our hard work. We had a wonderful time and were pleased that we were able to make a difference.

- Steven Lowinger

Service work at the Lyceum Shaalavim

Today we did service work at Lyceum Shaalavim. When we first arrived there we were fortunate to be able to join the children when they davened. It was truly inspiring to see how Jews around the world are able to come together in teffilah to daven to Hashem.

We then split into different groups consisting of some YU students and our Ukrainian peers. I decided to help clean up the outside area around the school. It is amazing how much we were all able to accomplish when we all worked together. It is also incredible how we are able to work together and have a great time despite our language barrier.

We used shovels and pitch forks to remove the huge heap of soil by placing it into bags and then dumping them into a truck. My group also cleared away a pile of branches that were laying on the ground. Lastly we placed old doors, shelves, chairs, etc. into the truck. It was really interesting how the Ukrainian men really did not want me to shovel because I am a girl. Initially, it was really annoying how they wouldn’t let me help but then I realized that in their culture they were being chivalries and were being nice by wanting to give me a break.

I also had an eye opening experience when one of our Ukrainian peers told me that she really likes how Americans are able to make the most mundane activities, like the ones we did today, into something fun. She explained that the children in the school are often asked to help clean up and they normally have a miserable time cleaning up, but today all the Ukrainians who helped us today had a really fun time. I feel extremely fortunate that we given this incredible opportunity to help our fellow Jews by not only helping them clean up their amazing Jewish school but by also putting a smile on their faces and showing them how to make the best of the situation by having awesome time while working.

More to come!

- Penina Stiefel

Students from UMass-Amherst Hillel wrapped up their time in Israel last week. Here’s a reflection from Hannah.

Hannah (left) painting with Aviv at the Mishol in Ramla

CJA-Federation of Montreal is still working hard in Ethiopia. Here’s a round-up of their posts from East Africa:

- Gearing up before the trip.

- Great collection of photos from Gondar and Addis.

- This post is strictly for French-speakers.

- Nice overview from Cedric on the service work the group undertook in Gondar.

- Talia recounts the group’s visit to Lalibela.

Jackie B. checks in from Ramla.

Scene from our celebration at the Garin last night!

Last night we all got to experience some Ethiopian culture first hand. The Garin prepared a traditional meal for us and also shred their cultures dance and history. It was really amazing for me personally to look around the room and see pictures of earlier generations back in Ethiopia and listen to their stories and then realize how far they have come. They have such beautiful and rich traditions and I was honored to have felt connected to them on such a meaningful level.

The Garin then showed us a slide show of the work they have been doing through out the years. The community seems really involved and family oriented which is great. They also have been preserving their Ethiopian heritage and not only teach their children Hebrew, but Amharic as well.

All in all, last night really was awesome. Eating and dancing with the Garin really made me feel apart of the community and taught me so much about this community – a community I knew nothing about before this trip.

I LOVE RAMLE!

Coby checks in from Ramla, where he’s serving with UMass-Hillel and JDC Short-Term Service.

Coby (front, center) with the group in Ramla

We recently spent the afternoon working with children in Ramla.

I along with seven others was fortunate enough to help out in an afterschool theater class. The kids were between the ages of 8 to 12 and showed us their knowledge of English by singing a song which encompasses the alphabet, days of the week, prepositions, and a few verbs. This was amazing to see a group of children know more English than many of the people on our trip knew of Hebrew.

Afterwards they performed two plays. The first was Cinderella and the second was the biblical story of the golden calf. These were inspiring to see. Even though I couldn’t understand the words the children were saying I was still able to follow the performance with my knowledge of the stories.

Finally, we played some other theater games with the children. When asked about the experience I immediately said “life changing”. This was the only way in which I knew how to explain the small time we had with the children. Even with a huge language barrier we were able to interact with the children and by the end have a unique experience that seemed to affect us as well as the children.

What amazed me was that even in a city that’s not economically stable they still find a way to run art programs such as a theater class for both boys and girls in the community. This inspired me and showed me how a community will work together in order to enhance the lives of each other and especially the children. So far the trip has been full of great experiences and can’t wait for all the others I’ll get to have.

Dan D is serving with UMass-Amherst Hillel and JDC Short-Term Service in Israel.

Dan D, left, takes a moment to pose for the camera after planting a coffee tree

Planting a tree in Israel is something that every American Jew is familiar with.

From a young age my mother told me that planting a tree in Israel was a very important mitzvah to do. When I was born, she said, our family friends bought a tree that was planted in Israel in my name.

As a child, I couldn’t comprehend the significance of this, let alone understand what I had to do with Israel. My picture of Israel was only the one painted by my Sunday school education which was of a very religious land far far away. But as time past and as I grew up, my connection to this far far away place grew. I eventually found out that in addition to having a lot of family in Israel, my parents lived there and had a life there.

To make a long story short, I traveled to Israel on a Birthright trip last May and experienced the country my parents fell in love in and where their life started together. On my current trip, through the JDC, unlike the Birthright trip, we are doing community service, working in an underserved community outside of Tel Aviv. The work included painting inside apartments, planting trees, working with kids, and becoming educated on other JDC projects throughout the country.

It was on the third day of work, when I planted a coffee tree, that it hit me like a ton of bricks. I was actually planting a tree in Israel. Unlike before, the tree that was planted in Israel 20 years before, I actually planted a tree in Israel with my hands! It was this mitzvah that my mother had mentioned to me so many years ago that had coming to life. It made me think about her, and her mother who pioneered the land in a Kibbutz in the north. How I was continuing my family’s connection to the country and to the land itself.

Click here to see photos from our “amazing race” in Sofia –

http://hillelburkleyinbg.tumblr.com/.

Password is Sofia.

Enjoy!

Dan L. checks in from Ramle, Israel where he’s serving with UMass-Amherst Hillel and JDC Short-Term Service.

Only success like that achieved today could have eclipsed the satisfaction felt by the whole group after a hard day’s painting, followed by the toasting of gelatin-free marshmallows at night.  If yesterday was successful, today’s activities truly began to shed light on the true nature of our mission, and our ability to create change here in Ramla.

My day began with the planting of coffee and lemon trees along with various other smaller plants outside the Taveja center-our home base in the city- with my comrade Daniel Dovev, while the others did the same close by while engaging in a short-lived singing of Disney Princess songs (with an unfortunate emphasis on the Little Mermaid).  At the end of 3 hour’s work our group of 16 volunteers had cleared immense amounts of trash from the property around the apartment building painted the previous day.  In its place we planted somewhere around 40 trees and bushes.  The result was dramatic! In addition to the satisfaction earned as the result of a job well done we could gaze upon the newly beautified plot of land with pride.

Lunch: chicken, hummus, olives, hummus.  Delicious.

Next came a sort of romp:  Our team split off into two groups, one going to play dodge ball with a group of young teenaged students while the other went to participate in an after-school theater class comprised primarily of 8-year olds.  Here, the significance of the language barrier all but evaporated, as the main form of communication manifested itself in universal facial expressions and hand motions: Mainly smiles and waving.  There were also translators.  Even the student’s 10 minutes rendition of Cinderella recited entirely in Hebrew was easy to follow as the result of the kid’s impressive commitment to expressive movement.

The end of the day featured probably one of the most important experiences I’ve had in Israel to date.  The team walked through the thunder and rain to the mediation center in Ramla where we met a group of Arab and Jewish Israelis to learn first hand how they have been working together to address the social and cultural issues facing the city.

Coming to Israel as a foreigner, it was refreshing to see a group of people composed of two factions notorious for intolerance toward one another, coming together to achieve a common goal through discussion of important issues. Assuming that Ramle is a pioneer in such intercultural cooperation as seen in mediation programs like this, it is ironic to think that a city with such a “stigma” attached to it –according to Jasmine, the 19 year old Arab mediation committee member- should very well be serving as an example for the rest of Israel.

I think the group has a reasonable sense of accomplishment so far, as well as a more holistic understanding as to the context of our service here.  We have a greater comprehension of the challenges facing Ramla today and how we are able to help.  Most importantly, however, I think we have a grip on what more there is to learn about the community.

Check out some pictures from our time here so far below.

We would like to fill you in on some of our activities from the past few days.

On Thursday, we split into groups. While some of us painted the multipurpose room of Beit Shalom, others of us went down two floors to play with the children in day care. We taught the kids how to play Duck Duck Goose, or in Bulgarian “patte patte gusgo.”  Then, they taught us their own game called “Gernay,” which involved the protection of human “pots” and running around the circle. Later that day, we had a reflection session on Jewish people-hood and the highlights of the trip so far, followed by chill time at the hotel and a quiz game night at the JCC.

On Friday, we returned to Beit Shalom JCC to complete our paint-job of the multipurpose room. Before we painted the room, there were cracks in the walls and the paint was chipping off. Now, the room looks brand new with pristine white walls. While we completed the job, some of us went downstairs to play with the children again. It was heart warming to see that they remembered us and wanted to play more games with us. They even invited us to make challah with them. Our day ended early, as we had to return to our hotel to prepare for Shabbat. We attended services at Sofia Synagogue, the third largest synagogue in Europe, designed in the Sephardi style, modeled after a Vienna synagogue. It was GORGEOUS. I couldn’t take my eyes off the paintings and architecture inside the building. Afterwards, we crossed the street to Beit Shalom, where we had dinner, listened to a sermon from the chief rabbi of Sofia about the history of the Jews of Sofia and their struggles to keep Judaism alive in their community, followed by a fun Oneg with local peers. That night, we went clubbing with the local peers to a hip-hop joint and had a blast!