Dear ,
Hope you are doing okay during these challenging times. We continue to pray for hostages safe return to their loved ones, and an end to this horrific war. Now, more than ever before, we stand as proud Jews - deeply connected to our history, and intensely committed to creating a bright future for upcoming generations of proud Jews. A full bus of Australians will be going to Poland and Israel in April for March of the Living, together with 7000 people from around the world to commemorate Yom Hashoah and to mark 80 years since the liberation of Auschwitz.
It's bound to be a powerful and deeply moving experience, and we are honoured to be joined by Holocaust survivor Mark Spigelman and his family (read more about Mark's story below). The majority of our group will be in Israel on Yom Hazikaron to mourn the immense loss from the last 18 months, and to then celebrate the amazing achievements of the State of Israel on Yom Ha'atzmaut.
Thank you for your support as we embark on this transformative and challenging journey - exploring our past, and then grappling with what it means to be a Jew in the world today. Gary |
MEET OUR SURVIVOR - MARK SPIGELMAN |
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As a Jewish boy born in the later 1940's in Poland, Mark's life was in permanent danger. At first his family was in the ghetto, so it wasn't as threatening, but when it started to get worse, they realised they needed to do something. With Mark's fair skin, big blue eyes and blonde hair, it was easy to disguise him as a girl. Boys were often checked for circumcisions which proved they were Jewish; they would then be sent away.
Mark and his parents survived the war by pretending to be German. They escaped deportation to Auschwitz when a German officer found that Mark, dressed as a girl, reminded him of his daughter. |
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Mark's wife, Rachel Spigelman, wrote Blue Eyes Wide Open, the story of Mark and his parents, and how they survived the Holocaust. You can purchase the book here, which is aimed at teenagers.
Mark's family migrated to Australia in 1949. As doctors had higher rates of survival in the camps, Mark was encouraged to study medicine to be prepared for anything that may arise in the future. Mark combined his studies with archaeology, and his love of helping others, and became a Professor of Paleopidemiology. Mark and Rachel will be joined on the trip by their son, daughter in law, and three grand daughters. |
Rachel and Mark Spigleman |
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| Academy award nominated film, A Real Pain is a poignant exploration of intergenerational trauma within the Jewish community. It addresses how this trauma resurfaces and how individuals cope with it.
The film follows two Jewish cousins who reunite on a tour through Poland to honour their grandmother, explore their Jewish culture and history and go to Europe for a road-trip. No spoilers here, but they end up exploring more about themselves on this journey of healing. Much like the March of the Living program, A Real Pain showcases the universal desire to know where we came from, and we recommend seeing it. Still showing at local cinemas. |
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Shiri, Kfir and Ariel Bibas were laid to rest yesterday. Watch Yarden Bibas' heartbreaking eulogy below. |
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