The Power of Remembering
By Emma Dixon
R ecently, a group of students and staff members from Hillels across Florida – including our own Jewish community – took part in an immersive, transformative journey to Poland.
They were part of Bridges of Memory: Florida Hillels Poland Fellowship, a program that gives Jewish undergrads from colleges and universities throughout the state the unparalleled opportunity to explore the lessons of the Holocaust. The experience not only educates students about the past but empowers them to draw strength in the fight against the alarming rise in antisemitism today.
The group flew into Krakow this past December and spent a week exploring Poland, visiting former Jewish ghettos in both Krakow and Warsaw, and touring the Auschwitz-Birkenau and Treblinka concentration camps.
The program, which blended historical exploration with cultural reflection, was the brainchild of several executive directors of Hillels across Florida. The Poland trip was floated as an idea a couple of years ago at a retreat for the directors, and donors soon came forward to help fund the fellowship. In December 2023, about 40 students took part in the inaugural trip, and in 2024, that number rose to more than 70 students and staff.
A personal journey
Local students who were part of last year’s trip included Kloie Bowers, a senior at Rollins College who is majoring in history with a double minor in Jewish studies and Middle Eastern and North African studies. Some of Kloie’s relatives perished in the Holocaust, a fact that made the experience all the more sobering.
“I learned a lot about Jewish life in Poland before, during, and after the Holocaust,” says Kloie. “I’m Jewish and my family lived in Russia and then they were sent to Poland, and I learned about the hardships my family and millions of others endured.”
Adds Kloie, “The most memorable experience for me was seeing the Book of Names (of Holocaust victims) and getting to look through it and finding the names of my family members,” she says. “It was a very emotional experience and seeing all the names the only thing I could do was say, ‘I’m sorry.’”
Samantha Cohen, a senior at Florida State University who is majoring in special education, also found the journey to be incredibly impactful.
“This trip was so important because it taught the past in order to advocate in the present,” says Samantha, who lives in Orlando. “I learned the importance of advocacy and standing up for what I believe in and making a change.”
never forget
Through guided tours and group discussions, the students learned about the history of the Holocaust and connected to the stories of individual lives. For Samantha, the most memorable part of the trip was standing in a circle at Treblinka and seeing the names and pictures of people who were murdered there during the Holocaust.
More than 70 students and staff members from Hillels across the state made the trip to Poland late last year to learn more about the Holocaust.
“It further stressed the importance of never forgetting the Shoah,” says Samantha.
Samantha Cohen (right) of Orlando, a senior at FSU, with Sydney Levy in Poland.
For the Hillel directors, it was paramount for students to understand the history and to process their own experiences during the trip. Every evening, the students broke into small groups to discuss their emotions and what they’d experienced that day, leading to bonding and personal growth.
“It was transformative for our students,” says Hunter Gold, executive director of Central Florida Hillel, which serves Jewish students at UCF. “You need to know your history, where you come from, and processing this information is important.”
The trip included a solemn visit to Auschwitz-Birkenau, the largest Nazi concentration and extermination camp.
“Auschwitz was the most difficult for me, especially walking beneath the infamous sign that reads ‘Arbeit Macht Frei (Work Makes One Free),’” says Kloie. “It gave me the worst anxiety I ever felt and reminded me of the deception and cruelty inflicted upon so many people.”
Heidi Zissman, associate director of Jewish Life at Rollins College, agrees.
“It was a humbling experience for all of us,” says Heidi. “Standing there in the barracks of Auschwitz hit hard.”
finding light in the dark
Kloie Bowers, a senior at Rollins College, recently traveled to Poland through the Bridges of Memory: Florida Hillels Poland Fellowship.
However, there was also joy to be had on the trip. Fun highlights included a pierogi cooking class and making friends and connections with JCC students in Krakow.
“There was beauty amidst the ugly,” says Heidi.
The intention behind Bridges of Memory: Florida Hillels Poland Fellowship did not go unnoticed. The Florida Hillels were recently honored for their collaboration on the program, receiving the 2024 Innovation Award at the Hillel International Global Assembly (HIGA) in Boston. According to HIGA, the award “recognizes bold and creative efforts that beneficially impact college students.”
Ultimately, the trip was not just about exploring the past. It was also about connecting with the present and future of Jewish identity and gaining a deeper appreciation for the resilience of the Jewish people.
“This trip was about reclaiming our heritage by acknowledging the grief of the Holocaust, but also understanding and recognizing the power of remembering,” says Kloie. “It was an act of healing and honoring – not only my family’s story, but everyone’s story who was a victim of the Holocaust.”