Dear ,

As we celebrate Pesach this year, the festival marking the freedom of the Jews from slavery in Egypt, we remember the hostages who have been held in Gaza for 552 days. We pray for their speedy return to their loved ones.

March of the Living is fast approaching. Over 60 Australians will be in Auschwitz on Yom Hashoah this year led by survivor Mark Spigelman who will be joined by 3 generations of his family. We are excited that our delegation this year will include a contingent of 10 Victorian politicians. 65% of the participants will be heading to Israel after to commemorate Yom Hazikaron, and celebrate Yom Ha'atzmaut. We look forward to sharing our journey with you on social media.

Chag Pesach Sameach.

May this festive season be one of freedom and peace for all.

Gary and the MOTL team

[A man can be seen breaking a matzah during a Passover Seder held at a refugee shelter run by the Osternhilfswerk relief committee at 6 Leszno Street in the Warsaw Ghetto, Poland
Yad Vashem Archives FA33/1862]

Rumours abounded in April 1943 of an upcoming deportation from the Warsaw Ghetto. Despite this the Jews of the Ghetto forged ahead with Pesach preparations, each in their own resourceful manner. On 18 April news arrived that the Ghetto was to be liquidated. That night the Ghetto was surrounded. On the 19th of April 1943, Passover eve, the Germans entered the ghetto. Warsaw ghetto resistance fighters attacked German soldiers in a revolt, known as the Warsaw Ghetto Uprising. The uprising lasted 3 weeks and was fought bravely by the residents of the Ghetto. They not only resisted the Nazi forces through physical means, but also spiritual means as shown in the image above.

MEET OUR SURVIVOR - MARK SPIGELMAN

As a Jewish boy born in 1940 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.

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.