The Chabad GW Townhouse on Washington Circle, NW, in our nation’s capital was recently packed to capacity for a very unique event.
Students from all backgrounds gathered to hear a rare first-hand account from Mrs. Irene Weiss, a 91-year old Holocaust survivor, as she shared her personal message of survival and strength.
Only a teenager when sent to Auschwitz, she recalled details of her observant upbringing, and even the struggle of her relatives to maintain whatever Yiddishkeit they could despite the harrowing conditions in the concentration camps.
While it was so difficult to hear those dark experiences which stole the joy of her youth, the students were enthralled by her own resilience and message of Jewish strength. She then took time to patiently answer their many questions, about continuing after tragedy and trauma, finding joy, keeping faith and rebuilding life.
“I’m proud to be Jewish and I value my Jewish heritage,” Mrs. Weiss said, emotionally, imploring “Please value your Jewish heritage, and carry it forward in your life.”
“We were very moved by Mrs. Weiss’ words and could see by the students’ reactions that she made a huge impact on them, totally erasing any generation gap,” said Rabbi Levi Shemtov, senior shliach to Washington, DC and Chabad GW’s founder, “The spirit of her message echoed the Rebbe’s view – that the emphasis for our generation must be not on merely memory and sorrow, but rebuilding and strengthening Yiddishkeit and each other. We need to ensure the torch of Jewish heritage and tradition is carried forward with dignity and increased commitment, inviting those who are willing to bolster that, especially the younger members of our community who are not yet affiliated.”
