THE JEWISH ADVOCATE MAY 6, 2011
Where is home? Just
follow the golden streets
By Sarah Robinson
Soon after my arrival in Poland,
my Zionist, Modern Orthodox, all-
female seminary enters the Maj-
danek death camp. Our tour fol-
lowed the path of the Jews upon
their arrival during the war. Thus,
our first stop was to the Disenfek-
tion building, where the Jews dis-
robed and bathed. I assume that I
am on the path of the living, but
then we enter a third room.
Though this chamber is dim,
enough light exists to see the
green stains on the ceiling and
scratch-marks on the lower walls. I
realize that I am standing in the
grave of my fallen family. As the
tears well, words of comfort are
scarce.
We leave the chamber and take
a few minutes to compose our-
selves before continuing further in
the tour. Melting snow is dripping
on my hood, but it isn’t bothering
me. Maybe it’s because the room,
which reeks of death, has humbled
me. While an obvious reaction to
this confrontation is to bow my
head indefinitely, I know that
would be impractical; the point is
that I am not them. I am not dead.
I am breathing. I am thinking. I am
loving. I am able. I have potential.
Unlike so many victims of the
Shoah who were never given such
an opportunity, we are privileged
to return home – to Israel.
Traditionally, all passengers
clap when a flight successfully
lands in Tel Aviv. But after such a
dramatic journey, we can barely
contain our thrill to finally be on
Israeli soil again; not only do we
clap, but we also sing countless
songs ranging from “Ahavat Yisrael
BaNishama” to “HaTikva” from our
seats. It is ironic how, 66 years ago,
Nazis defined us as rodents, which
led brainwashed Germans and
countless Jews to despise the Jew-
ish heritage. Today, we have never
been prouder to be Jewish.
But four days following our re-
turn, I am reminded that Israel re-
mains in a volatile state. On Friday
evening, March 11, Rav Udi, Ruth,
Yoav, Elad and Hadas Fogel of Ita-
Jewish War Veterans of the United States
and Ladies Auxiliary Dept. of Massachusetts
Department Commander - David Westerman
Department President - PNP Arlene Kaplan
proudly salute Israel on its 6!"# anniversary!
State House, Room 547
Boston, MA 02133-1051 (617) 727-2963
jwv_deptofmass@yahoo.com
Frank
63rd Independence
Robinson: “Today, we have
never been prouder to be
Jewish.”
mar – a normal family, leading nor-
mal lives and contributing to their
new community after being evict-
ed from Gush Katif in 2005 – are
murdered in cold blood. Two
Palestinian terrorists choose to
end their lives in an attempt to fur-
ther the Palestinian cause to over-
come the Jewish presence in the
Jewish homeland.
Nine days following the Fogel
funeral, I am chilled again. Anoth-
er terrorist sets off a bomb next to
Jerusalem’s Central Bus Station,
killing a 59-year-old Hebrew Uni-
versity student and injuring 39 oth-
ers. This time, the attack hits much
closer to home, especially since my
twin sister’s classmate and a staff
member from Michlelet Mivaseret
Yirushalayim had been nearby; al-
though they are unscathed, I think:
What if the bomb exploded a few
moments later?
These attacks on our brethren
do instill a drop of fear and im-
mense grief, especially in the face
of the Holocaust. But our oppres-
sors will never rob me of the most
pleasurable feeling: traversing the
golden streets of the Old City every
day and knowing that I am home.
Sarah Robinson, 19, is from
Newton and a graduate of the
Maimonides School in Brookline.
She is now a student at Masa Is-
rael’s Midreshet Harova.
BestRepresentative
Wishes
Have a for a
Sweet
Happy
& Happy
Passover
Israel Smizik & Family
join the community
New Year
in honoring the
Representative
Frank Israel Smizik
Dayandof Israel!
Family
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