Jewish youth pay tribute to pre-Holocaust community with cemetery repair project in Poland.
Jewish youth with Bnei Akiva have been repairing a
neglected cemetery from pre-war Europe in memory of the thriving Jewish
communities wiped out in the Holocaust.
The youth, from South Africa, Australia, and New Zealand,
were inspired to act after touring concentration camps. “After a week of seeing
the destruction of countless Jewish communities, we were able to spend some
time helping to preserve the memories of those who once lived there,” said
volunteer Justin Gillman.
“In a small way, we were able to tell the dead ‘We have
not forgotten you,’” said program director jonny Lipczer.
The group chose the cemetery in Kalisz, Poland. The town
was home to thousands of Jews prior to the Holocaust, and is now home to just
ten.
Among those who once lived in Kalisz was Rabbi Chaim
Elazar Wax, author of the Nefesh Chaya, who was active in promoting settlement
of the land of Israel.
The group of volunteers is taking part in a “hachshara”
year in Israel.
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