Reflections from Poland – March of the Living
04/25/2025
Dear Friends:
People have asked us why we joined Jewish Federation of San Diego’s March of the Living mission—and why we agreed to co-chair the trip. For each of us, the motivation was different.
Sonia:
There were many reasons. First, I’ve become addicted to Federation missions. Second, although I’ve been to Auschwitz, Birkenau, and Treblinka before, I wanted to experience it with my San Diego community, alongside more than 7,000 other Jews from around the world. Lastly, my children—Sarah and David—came with me to be my strength and support, just as I tried to be theirs. This is their heritage. This is their history. Sharing these moments with them was a once-in-a-lifetime experience. How could I say no to co-chairing what I knew would be an extraordinary and deeply meaningful journey with a group that would become our extended family?
Shari:
My three adult children—Benjamin, Michaela, and Sydney—have all traveled to Poland with the San Diego Jewish Academy. They witnessed firsthand the death camps responsible for the annihilation of so many of our relatives. When I was asked to co-chair this mission, I didn’t hesitate. It was now my turn to bear witness to the atrocities of the Holocaust and to share this experience with my community.
Jeff:
My decision to participate in the March of the Living was shaped by several powerful motivations. I had hoped to do this with my mom, Rose Schindler z”l, a Survivor of the Shoah, during her later years—but sadly, that dream never came to pass. Participating now allows me to channel my parents and feel their presence on this emotional journey.
I was also blessed to attend the 70th anniversary of Auschwitz’s liberation in Krakow with my parents and daughter Moriah, and the 75th with my son Joey. Marking the 80th in a meaningful way felt deeply important—and Federation’s mission was the perfect fit. This time, I get to share it with my sister, Roxanne. As I carry my parents’ memory and legacy, I walk with our Federation community and more than 7,000 new friends. How could I not say yes to co-chairing?
Through our march, we commit to continuing this legacy and the labor of heart. We will educate and inspire future generations. Together, we will strive for a more peaceful, tolerant world.
While you are reading this on Shabbat, as we write, it is only Wednesday, April 23, here in Poland. The actual March of the Living is tomorrow for us, but we wanted to share what we’ve experienced so far. There are so many moments, and over the next few weeks, we—and others on the mission—will share more reflections.
On our first day in Krakow, we learned about the lives of Jews—past and present. Today was far more emotional, as we confronted how they died, and how some survived. Here are just a few of our reactions:
Shari:
I was overwhelmed with emotion as I stepped off the bus at Auschwitz. To my left stood a platoon of IDF soldiers, their freshly pressed uniforms draped with the blue and white flag of Israel. Tears welled in my eyes as I understood: as long as there is a strong Israel, the Jewish people will never again be victims as they were 80 years ago. Later, as we exited the crematorium, we heard Israeli students singing Hatikvah. We joined them, tears streaming down our faces. We sang Hatikvah two more times that day—all in Auschwitz. Am Yisrael Chai.
Jeff:
It became personal in Birkenau. My mother, Rose z”l, was imprisoned there for nearly nine months beginning in May 1944. Our group visited what was once barrack C-26—or rather, the ruins of it. Rose’s barrack. We sat along the broken walls as I read aloud from my parents’ book, describing her experience. The real story of a real person who suffered in that exact place—and survived. It’s all personal. For all of us.
Sonia:
My breaking point came among the ruins of barrack C-26. Surrounded by blooming flowers and birdsong, we stood with the memory of ashes, reciting Kaddish for those we lost. I cried through the sacred words, thinking of all four of my grandparents and other relatives murdered in the Shoah, and of the few—my parents z”l and two uncles z”l—who survived but have since passed. Yis’ga’dal v’yis’kadash.
As the day ended and we left Auschwitz, we looked out the bus window. The fields were impossibly green, filled with flowers and arranged like puzzle pieces in shades of green and brown. We couldn’t help but wonder: how does this land have the audacity to be so beautiful? In our minds, it is tainted.
And yet. And yet—we walked out of that concentration camp. We are alive. We are part of a living, growing, and thriving Jewish people.
We won.
And so yes, we can embrace the beauty. And feel some joy.
Shabbat Shalom,
Sonia Israel, Shari Schenk & Jeff Schindler
March of the Living Mission Co-Chairs
