Our preparation for the trip to Poland began a couple of weeks beforehand, at an induction evening organised by Richard Verber and Rabbi Kurzer. Richard asked us to “describe how you feel about the trip, in one word”. The responses were varied: nervous, excited, curious, interested, emotional, inspired, apprehensive, reflective, hopeful, undecided. We were reassured that we could feel excited. A single adjective could not adequately capture the range of feelings that each of us experienced individually, or the spectrum among the group. Collectively, I think they perfectly conveyed our sense of anticipation.
I had felt “undecided”, in that I was unsure how I would feel when I was on the trip, and whether I should even go. However, from its first moments, I knew that I had made the right decision. It was a truly enlightening and informative experience, during which we were transported, both physically and emotionally, to Poland as it was over centuries – from a thriving Jewish population (the largest in Europe), a country where Jews from elsewhere sought refuge, through to the atrocities of the Holocaust and beyond to the present day. We were drawn into the lives of brave men, women and children who became a tangible part of our journey, as we followed the horrific events that unfolded around them.
Being physically present in the places where human beings were dehumanised, stripped of their freedoms, and where atrocities took place was chilling – the vastness of it all was staggering.
The group blended seamlessly, offering support to one another. We were expertly guided by Richard, whose exceptional knowledge and skill were complemented throughout by Rabbi Kurzer’s inspirational stories. Touches of humour, engaging meal times and post-“processing” drinks lightened the mood – the Poland trip was not only meaningful and moving, but uplifting and enriching.
