Between the barracks in Auschwitz and the once-peaceful pathways of the towns in the Gaza Envelope, will Jewish life ever go back to safe mode?
The program included Jewish Prague and the nearby Theresienstadt camp: the terrifying fortress, the deceptive German programs, and the hidden shul that is concealed between the lanes of the camp. In Krakow, my plan was to lead the group to lesser-known places, including the site of the notorious Plaszow work camp, which today bears silent testimony to the story that is hidden under its green grass and lush trees.
We also planned to visit the “hidden Auschwitz,” a massive city most people who visit Birkenau and only come to the area close to the gate of the camp never see. We were to start at the “Juden ramp” on the outskirts of the city of Oswiecim, and we’d also get to Crematoria 5, the notorious “villa” where the first 100,000 people were murdered in Auschwitz, the fire pits, the disinfecting room, and more.
Our itinerary was all planned.
And then, on Simchas Torah, the Jewish world turned over.
On Motzaei Simchas Torah, we realized that we were not going to visit the unknown parts of Auschwitz — because Auschwitz suddenly seemed very close indeed.
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