teens in action
by Michelle Kappy and Anna Eisenberg
keeping memories alive
Third Generation of Holocaust Survivors honors grandparents' experiences.
e silently gaze at the
number engraved on
the man's arm and
wonder how he could have en-
dured such immeasurable horror.
Growing up, our grandparents told
us their stories from the Holocaust.
Their narratives and those of oth-
er Holocaust survivors hold great
value in our lives. We have learned
the significance of remembrance
from our grandparents and realize
it is our obligation to continue to
tell their stories.
Holocaust survivors are a testament
to the preciousness of life. They ex-
perienced mankind's worst tragedies.
They not only survived, but also man-
aged to make incredible contributions
to their communities. As the genera-
tion of survivors grows smaller, it be-
comes more imperative to listen and
document their incredible stories.
Following in the steps of the second
generation of Holocaust survivors,
the third generation decided to create
a group as well — the Third Genera-
tion of Holocaust Survivors, or 3Gs.
We are teenagers, about 25-30 strong,
who are grandchildren of Holocaust
survivors. Each of our members has
personal stories told to them by their
own grandparents. In Metro Detroit,
survivors number less than 1,000.
We want to preserve the stories of
Holocaust survivors, organize events
for survivors and be a support system
for them. Through this group, the sac-
rifices and lessons of the Holocaust
can be successfully transmitted to oth-
er generations. Our mission is to edu-
cate our peers and community about
the Holocaust and carry on the legacy
and stories of Holocaust survivors.
Dr. Charles Silow and Sharon Sil-
ver Teweles of the Program for Holo-
caust Survivors and Families, a service
of Jewish Senior Life of Metropolitan
Detroit, are assisting the group.
"As a third generation of Holocaust
survivors, I feel like it is my respon-
sibility to educate others, and the 3G
group does just that," said Eden Adler,
16, a student at Frankel Jewish Acad-
emy in West Bloomfield.
The group holds monthly meetings
to plan events for survivors and the
community at large. Members have
helped interview survivors for the
electronic exhibit, "Portraits of Hon-
or: Michigan Survivors,"
that will be a permanent
interactive display at the
Holocaust Memorial Cen-
ter in Farmington Hills,
sponsored by the Program
for Holocaust Survivors
and Families.
We also participate in
Shabbat Shalom by Phone
by calling Holocaust survi-
vors every Friday to wish
them Shabbat shalom and
Anna Eisenberg and Michelle Kappy, 3Gs' co-chairs, plant a
inquire about their well-be-
tree with Holocaust survivor Ruth Webber.
ing. We also plan to partici-
pate in the Walk of Ages on
May 23, sponsored by the Auxiliary of grandchildren, including some 4Gs
Jewish Senior Life. We plan to have our now part of this group.
own team and walk around the JCC
Members of the 3G group sat at a
campus with 3Gs, friends and family.
table with survivors, listening intently
Within the next month, we will to their stories and experiences.
reach out to 3Gs in public and pri-
"As a granddaughter and great-
vate schools, BBYO, ATID (Alliance granddaughter of Holocaust survi-
for Teens in Detroit), community reli- vors, I feel a deep connection to the
gious schools and synagogues.
3G group and other 3Gs," said Elana
Our most recent event was on Feb. Folbe, 16, an FJA student. "Listening
7. We had a beautiful brunch and pro- to all of the survivors tell their stories
gram at Fleishman Residence/Blum- at the brunch was truly an extraordi-
berg Plaza, with more than 80 peo- nary experience."
ple, including 50 survivors and their keeping memories alive on page TT4
youth groups
by Polina Fradkin
try something new
NCSY gathering offered a positive, welcoming family.
NCSY chapter traveled together to Connecticut for a regional gathering.
Michigan NCSY
TT2 teen2teen March 18 .2010
A
friend of my parents told
me about NCSY Yarchei Kal-
lah (Torah study gathering).
"You'll have one of the greatest times
of your life," he assured me. "Trust
me, you won't regret it." So, I packed
up half my closet and hopped on a bus
to Stamford, Conn. in late December.
During that 14-hour ride, I made 45
new best friends. I didn't know the week
would bring us even closer together, a big
Central East NCSY region family.
It was a hectic week. We spent two days
exploring Manhattan and Brooklyn, visit-
ing Yeshiva University, touring a matzah
factory and trooping to the diamond dis-
trict to watch fellow Jews cut and polish
diamonds. The next three days involved
intense, interactive Torah study.
There were plenty of activities and time
to meet friends from all different regions,
observance levels and ages. Although I
am not as observant as many I was with,
I never felt pressured or judged. I felt ac-
cepted and loved. In a very short time, I
had become part of the family.
The Central East NCSY family is a
rare find, a place where kids of all differ-
ent observance levels are comfortable. I
met new friends who still call me every
day. I came as a stranger and eight days
later left as a true NCSYer.
At Yarchei Kallah, I developed passion
for Judaism from my Torah study and the
rabbis who came to speak to us. Looking
back, I'm glad I didn't let my hesitancy
prevent me from going. I'm looking for-
ward to many more NCSY events.
Contact Rabbi Tzali Freedman of NCSY at
ncsyce@gmail.com or (248) 557-6279 for
information.
Polina Fradkln, 15, Is a
sophomore at Frankel Jewish
Academy In West Bloomfield.