"I am speaking for millions who cannot speak"

And I hope I can do the same. I take that quote from this website, from a presentation by Philip Riteman.

As you can see from the site, Riteman is a Holocaust survivor now living in Halifax. I'm hoping to reach Riteman and have a bit of an "interview" with him, to better understand the atrocities that happened at Auschwitz, Birkneau and Dachau, as well as the importance of programs such as MRH and Holocaust education in general.

Speaking of which, my most recent webinar has assigned each student a bit of a research project. Throughout the March, we are asked to do so in memory of someone; a victim, someone righteous among the nations, etc., and we will have the opportunity to each present a brief blurb of their story. I feel this would be best done if I chose someone I can somehow, sort of, relate to. As much as people like Anne Frank or Schindler are important, and in no way am I undervaluing their lives and efforts, I'd like to research someone that's a bit of an "average Joe", someone I can try to relate to, someone who doesn't have much recognition to date. Riteman's story, of surviving a shot, a trench of other bodies, and escaping is one that amazes me: what was going through his mind at the time? Where there others that had yet to leave this world, but were buried alive in these trenches? The above link is not for the faint at heart; there are some graphic details, which both shocked and moved me...I'm looking forward to this research, or memoir, project, if you will, and I'll keep you posted. Please note that I have heard from my mother's friend that he was shot, and in the trench/ditch. This has yet to be confirmed as a true story, and is currently just hear-say.

This evening's webinar focused on Auschwitz, what to expect, and what reactions we'll feel. Dr. Robert Jan Van Pelt reassured us that we shouldn't be disappointed if we don't feel anything. It will be an emotionally draining experience, I feel, and I do worry that I'll sort of don a blank face, as if stunned. I do, however, feel a bit better and my nerves are calmed a bit after hearing Dr. Jan Van Pelt speak.

I was pleased to hear Dr. Jan Van Pelt "prescribe" 5-10 minutes of alone time after visiting Auschwitz and Birkneau. I feel this will be a journey for myself, as well as the millions who cannot speak, as Riteman said. I know I will grow as a person and learn from the other people on the trip with me, but, to some extent, I can see myself needing to grapple with these feelings, lessons and ideas on a personal level. I guess with this comes the understanding that both of these sites, all of the sites we will be visiting, are working tourist sites/attractions. Of course I knew this, but never really thought of this before...that there may be hundreds of other people visiting the day(s) we are there.

To some extent, this pleases me. That there are others paying respect to the millions who perished during the war, that there are others that care and hope to change the world for the better...but, like any landscape or attraction, I worry that the masses of traffic through these sites will harm them. As Dr. Jan Van Pelt expressed, in a few years, the last of the survivors will be gone, and it will be our generation that is responsible for carrying on these stories and teachings. What happens when Auschwitz is run down, and perishes, too? When it is no more authentic, but needing reconstruction?

I say this based on what I have heard and read from others that have been there. But, will the smell of flesh remain in the areas of the crematoriums? Will there be that feeling of presence?

I suppose this is the issue all historical attractions and commemoration sites deal with, and it is one that no one can answer, sadly.

My trip is only 44 days away, and I'm starting to get excited - if I can use that word under the circumstances - as well as nervous. I hope starting this research project, and furthering my knowledge through films and readings will help with this. Dr. Jan Van Pelt did aid in the sense that I now realize that any reaction is an okay reaction. I am not Jewish, I cannot relate to the First Nations of Canada who have gone through a sort of discrimination and genocide, nor the Rwandans, nor am I overly knowledgeable on the subject matter of the Holocaust. I am simply interested, and compassionate for the human race, and hope that my travels and journey in Poland will mean something to someone else; that I can reach out in some way to educate another, to make someone, somewhere, think before calling another a name or using "hate" against a person.

"We all live with the objective of being happy; our lives are all different and yet the same" - Anne Frank

A bit of background

I thought I'd do a quick post with a few Holocaust facts for you, my readers, incase you're unaware of the horrors of the time and the works of Hitler and Nazi Germany, or want to brush up on your knowledge to better understand my upcoming posts and my trip.

Did you know:

• anti-semitism was 'created' 2000 years ago, by the Church
• 1.1 million people were killed at Auschwitz alone
• 6-8 million Jews were murdered during the Holocaust
• more people died in Auschwitz than the British and American casualties during WWII combined
• the essence of Hitler's plans/Holocaust was that the Jews were working in a conspiracy against humanity
• the swastika was used in many cultures prior to the Holocaust, and was not seen in a negative light
• the Holocaust lasted from 1933-1945
• in 1941, Hitler ordered all Jews to don a yellow Star of David on their sleeve

These facts are from history1900s.about.com as well as a MRH webinar lecture by Dr. Catherine Chatterley


"Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter." - pet-abuse.com

A Mission of Hope, a Journey of Remembrance

I take tonight's blog post title from Allison Miceli's blog, which you can find here. Allison and I have been placed in Core Learning Group A for the duration of this journey: we'll be traveling together while in Europe, and become a family, of sorts, to have a shoulder to lean on when the emotions are too much. CLG A met tonight for the first time via an online conference/seminar, and we're already forming friendships and getting to know each other: I think having a great group of people to travel with is the icing on the cake for this wonderful experience I've been offered.

This evening's webinar not only allowed 30 of the 60 participants of the March to become familiar with each other, but also provided insight into the history of the Holocaust: something I had never considered in depth before. Although it sounds a bit funny to say we looked at the history of history, that is indeed what we were doing: the roots of anti-semitism and their very fixed, religious roots, and the beliefs and thought process of Adolf Hitler leading up to and during the Holocaust, which resulted in the murder of what contemporary historians are saying is between 6 and 8 million Jewish peoples. (In the coming days, look for a "Did You Know?" post with  few well (and little) known facts about the Holocaust)

I'm starting to emotionally prepare myself now, as I'm already having a mix of feelings: excitement that I have been chosen to take part in this, that I will be going to Europe, that I have been given the opportunity to do something wonderful and share this experience...juxtaposed against the fear of the unknown, in a way, as I'm unsure how I will react to the stories, and the visuals of being at Auschwitz and traveling with survivors.

I've been doing my best to find testimonials, post-trip speeches, quotes, video clips and photographs online from past trips, and have discovered an old co-worker attended the March several years ago, which gives me comfort in knowing there is someone to pose personal questions to and rely on for tips and help. I think my best find, to date, is this link: a link to mp3s of songs performed (and possibly written at?) a March from several years ago. I spent a bit of time last night lying in bed listening to these and found myself with tears in my eyes as I could hear the emotion in the participant's voices, because it amazes me, still, that there are hundreds of students each year that find comfort in knowledge of this catastrophe and that want to help, that apply for the MRH, that there is still good in the world.

I also hope that through found quotes and lessons of human compassion, love, and understanding, such as the one posted below, you can all grow as humans, as I'm sure I will during, and following, this trip.

And on that note, I wish you all a good night and I look forward to sharing future thoughts and updates with you as the trip gets closer.


"The true measure of a man is how he treats someone who can do him absolutely no good" - Dr Samuel Johnson

Itinerary

I've received further details about the M.R.H. trip and received further forms to be signed, etc., as well as a list of ideas for raising awareness following the trip to Europe.

I'm starting to get excited, if that's even an appropriate word, and a bit nervous as well - I'm anxious to see what the readings are like prior to the trip and really looking forward to the itinerary, which I'll receive about a week before leaving.

I've made a few contacts of my own inquiring about films and readings that I hope to get to take a peak at before going to know as much - and be as prepared - as I can be. If you have any suggestions, feel free to send them along.

Stay tuned...