Students from two AMIT schools who returned recently from their heritage trip to Poland held special ceremonies to reflect on their experience and process what they witnessed and learned.
The special events were held at AMIT Dvir Junior and Senior High School for Boys in Beit Shemesh and Yeshivat AMIT Kfar Ganim in Petach Tikva. Teachers, principals, parents, and some grandparents attended and listened as the students presented photographs they took on their trips and read excerpts from their journals written while in Poland.
Both schools also screened videos that were filmed of the students’ excursions to different sites in Poland, where they learned about the Holocaust and Jewish history and strengthened their Jewish identity through song and prayer.
The guest of honor at AMIT Dvir was Gita Sikovich, who survived Auschwitz and accompanied the boys on their trip to Poland. She recounted her inspiring life story at the ceremony as well and discussed the subject of faith during the Holocaust.
The heritage journey to Poland and the ceremony that followed exemplifies AMIT’s commitment to instilling positive Jewish values in its students. The poignant and powerful trip to the scene of the where the horrors of the Holocaust took place, and the accompaniment of Auschwitz survivor Gita Sikovich on the students’ trip, serves to strengthen their Jewish identity and Zionist ideals by understanding this painful piece of Jewish history that led to the creation of the State of Israel.
“The trip left a lasting impression on the students, one that will enable them to advance, to become empowered, and to make wise choices for their futures, as the next generation of Israel’s leaders,” said Erez Bar On, AMIT Dvir’s principal.
Maayan, one of the students from Yeshivat AMIT Kfar Ganim, said that the special ceremony was a meaningful way to come full circle. “We explained to our parents what we experienced there so they could be a part of it, and through our dialogue with them, we will better understand our journey and the process we underwent.”
