To Forget Means to Die – to Remember, to Live

For the Jewish people, remembrance is an integral part of their lives.

Zechor! Remember!

The active verb is described by Webster as “something that is kept alive in the memory, so that it can be called to conscious thought without effort.”

Recalling/recollecting implies some effort or will to bring something back to mind. To reminisce is to remember, to tell others of past events or about your personal experiences.

Zachar (zechor) is the Hebrew word for remember, think of, mention.

• Genesis 8:1 says that “God remembered Noah.”
• The LORD tells Noah in Genesis 9:15, “I will remember my covenant”, and gave us the rainbow to remind us of His promise to mankind.
• God acts in remembrance of His covenant promises. He remembered Abraham, His people. “I heard their groaning… remembered My covenant…” Exodus 6:5-6

God’s promise to remember was repeated by the covenant he made on Mount Sinai, when the Israelites became a people. We read this in Leviticus 26:40-45. Psalm 98:3; 105:8; 42; 106:45 also mention the fact that God remembers His covenant.

In Ezekiel 16:60 God remembers His promise to restore His people and bring them back from captivity. Jeremiah 31:34 says, “I forgive their iniquity, I will remember their sin no more.”

God commands His people to:

• “Remember this day when you came out of Egypt.” Exodus 13:3
• “Remember the Sabbath day.” Exodus 20:8
• Above all, “to remember His marvellous works.” Psalm 105:5; 1 Chronicles 16:15

Zikaron means remembrance, memorial.

God said of His covenant name (YHWH = LORD) “this is my memorial unto all generations” (Exodus 3:15; Psalm 30:4; 135:13). The name recalls His acts to fulfil His Covenant.

God’s people were commanded to “remember Amelek.” (Exodus 17:14).

The bronze layer that covered the altar (Numbers 16:40) and the heap of stones near the Jordan River (Joshua 4:7; 20-24) served as perpetual memorials to the sons of Israel.

Two “memorial stones” inscribed with the names of the twelve tribes were part of the priest’s ephod.

Before the Israelites went into battle, the people sacrificed sheep and trumpets were blown. “May they be a memorial before your God.” Numbers 10:9-10

The Greek word anamimnesko is used in an active voice, and means to remind, call to ones mind. Anamnesis is remembrance. The word is still used today by doctors when referring to the patient’s medical history.

Those suffering from amnesia are forgetful and have difficulty remembering.

When celebrating communion, Christians are told to “Do this in remembrance of Me!” 

1 Corinthians 11:24-25

The practice of lighting memorial candles in memory of deceased relatives is based on Proverbs 20:27, “The soul of man is a lamp for the LORD.”

Originating from medieval Germany, the practice spread to other communities. Because memorial lights must burn 24 hours, special candles are used in metal or glass holders.

Memorial services and their special prayers (Hazkarah) remember the dead and express the hope their souls may be granted eternal repose. We read about this ancient practice in 2 Maccabees 12:43. Judah Maccabbee tells the people, “… to pray for the dead and make atonement for them, so that they might be cleared of their sin.”

In Talmudic times these hazkarot had become accepted customs.

In Judaism, remembrance is seen in a positive light. It doesn’t inflict guilt or exact vengeance, but evokes positive action in light of the negative things that have befallen someone. That is why Jewish hospitals have walls with names of donors honoring the memory of a loved one.

For many people, national memorial days are heart wrenching because of the traumatic memories they evoke. 

Mourning is an integral part of Judaism. However, in order to sit shiva, there first has to be a burial. Imagine the agonizing situation a family faces when their child goes missing in action, or is kidnapped by Israel’s enemies. The Jewish people are willing to pay a high price in order to bring their (dead) children home.

To remember the past

To live the present

To trust the future

 Abba Kovner

“Forgetfulness leads to exile, while remembrance is the secret of redemption.”

Baal Shem Tov – founder of Chassidism

ROSEMARY AND REMEMBRANCE

Rosemary shrubs can be found all over Israel. A member of the mint family, the evergreen shrubs have a pungent aromatic fragrance. The ancient people already knew about its reputation for strengthening the memory. Modern day scientists have proven that Rosemary’s scent is an effective memory stimulant.

Paul says in 2 Timothy 2:8, “Remember Jesus Christ, risen from the dead.” 

Yeshua, our Savior, rose from the dead. He is the Source and supplier of all our needs.  

Christians should never forget God’s goodness towards His people.

Not only the Jewish people, but Christians too, should: Remember! And live!

Excerpt from the book:

Remember, Observe Rejoice by Petra van der Zande. 

http://www.lulu.com/shop/petra-van-der-zande/remember-observe-rejoice/paperback/product-23263219.html

Yom haZikaron - Israel's Remembrance Day

Israel Remembrance Day, called Yom Hazikaron in Hebrew, is Israel’s official day of remembrance for fallen soldiers of Israel and victims of terrorism. It falls exactly one week after Holocaust Remembrance Day and considering the fact that casualties are very close to home in this small and young country, this day is extremely solemn. You will find places of entertainment closed, flags at half-mast and there are many ceremonies that take place in community centers and by memorials around Jerusalem and Israel.

In a way very unique to Israel, Remembrance Day flows straight into Yom Ha’atzmaut, Israel’s Independence Day. As is often customary in Judaism, we remember the heartbreak with the joy. We acknowledge the direct connection between our loss and the independence and sovereignty that we appreciate so much today.

This year it is commemorated from the evening of Wednesday, May 8, 2019 until the evening of Thursday, May 9 (when Independence Day begins).

Some 1.5 million people are expected to visit the 52 military cemeteries, hundreds of military plots and thousands of graves across the country on Memorial Day.

The Defense Ministry has organized hundreds of buses and shuttles to transport bereaved families to the military cemeteries, while its commemoration wing personnel will lay 135,000 wreaths on graves.  Hundreds of thousands of water bottles will be handed out to families and members of the general public visiting the cemeteries. Magen David Adom will deploy 132 mobile units to cemeteries.

There are two sirens on Yom Hazikaron. A one minute siren sounds at 8:00 pm on Wednesday evening and a two minute siren sounds at 11:00 am on Thursday.

Similar to the siren on Holocaust Memorial Day, people generally stop whatever they are doing – even those driving on the highway – and stand at attention throughout the duration of the siren. It is highly recommended to stand outside for the sirens in order to experience the impact of almost an entire nation coming to a standstill in honor of those who died in order to gain and preserve our freedom.

https://www.itraveljerusalem.com/article/day-of-remembrance-in-jerusalem/

The first thing you will notice about Yom Haatzmaut is the emotional transition from the sadness of Yom Hazikaron, Israel’s Day of Remembrance, to Israel Independence Day, an official national holiday which has become an important day in the Jewish calendar, being celebrated by Jewish communities around the world. 

Yom Haatzmaut begins at sundown immediately following Yom Hazikaron and ends after sundown the following day. It celebrates the declaration of independence of the State of Israel in 1948, making this the 71st birthday!

This year it falls on the evening of May 8, 2019 and celebrations last until the evening of May 9, 2019.

The state ceremony that brings in Yom Haatzmaut takes place at Mount Herzl, Israel’s military cemetery, by Theodor Herzl’s grave. And from there the city erupts with events, parties, outdoor get togethers, concerts and more!

https://www.itraveljerusalem.com/article/independence-day-in-jerusalem/

Rivka's Leap of Faith

Esther Rivka Wagner (born Esther Willig) was the daughter of Rabbi Shraga Feivel Willig (b. 1870) and Sarah Chaya Blei (b. ca. 1890). 

Esther was born on March 2, 1924 in Buczacz, Poland (now Ukraine) where her father served as the rabbi and mohel of the city. Rabbi Willing died a natural death in 1941 exacerbated by the events of the time. 

Sarah Chaya Blei was the second wife of Shraga who had six children from his first marriage. Esther was their only daughter; she grew up with two much older stepbrothers. They lived in an apartment adjoining the religious court where Rabbi Willig worked. 

The city had 10,000 Jews and 2,000 gentiles most of whom lived on the outskirts of the city. Esther attended a Zionist nursery school and then was privately tutored at home since her father did not want to expose her to the Catholic traditions and symbols in public school. In the afternoons, she first attended the Tarbut School and later Beis Yaakov which her father helped establish. Esther spoke Yiddish with her parents and Polish with her friends.

When Esther turned 14 her father received a letter from Rabbi Shmuel Wagner of Lvov regarding a "sidduch" (match) for his son Yisrael. For several years Esther did not want to hear about this but when she was 17, (in 1941) she agreed after Rabbi Wagner traveled to Buczacz. By this time the Soviets had expelled Esther and her parents from their apartment, and they were living in a carpentry workshop. The Russians wanted to draft Yisrael so he decided to flee to Buczacz and live with the Willigs as well.

In June 1941 Germany occupied Buczacz. Her father was called to City Hall, ordered to form a Judenrat and given a list of other demands. All Jews were required to wear armbands, abide by a curfew and relinquish their fur coats and trimmings in spite of the harsh winters and lack of heat. Esther worked in the local soup kitchen. 

The Germans also began deporting Jews. Esther and her family found a trapdoor leading to a cellar of the carpentry shop where they lived and hid there together with Yosef, neighbors, and cousins. However before long, a neighbor informed the Germans that the family had not reported to the marketplace as ordered. Esther and the others were soon found, marched to the railway station, and separated by age and genders into cattle

cars. 

Esther felt she was suffocating and together with another person managed to pry open two tiny windows which were closed with wooden planks and barbed wire. She stepped on a barrel and jumped out while the train was still moving. Another girl jumped as well, but the Germans began shooting as soon as they noticed what was going on. 

Esther landed in a corn field and overheard two men speaking Yiddish. They were merchants who knew the roads well. Esther accompanied them to Buczacz and returned to the carpentry shop as did her brother Moshe and his family.

Paulina Wilanska, 1943, Warsaw.

Esther learned that most of the people on the train, including Yisrael, were sent to the Janowska labor camp. His brother, who had Aryan papers, helped Yisrael escape. Yisrael then wrote to Esther's brother saying hat he no longer wanted to live since he believed that Esther was no longer alive. Esther wrote back immediately. Chaim purchased false papers for Esther under the name Paulina Wilanska which he paid for with her engagement ring. Yisrael and Chaim, and their sister Luba, joined Esther in the workshop. Luba obtained a job as a maid taking care of children in the family of a Christian woman married to a Jewish convert to Catholicism. The others remained in the workshop until it became too dangerous.

Luba found work for Esther in Warsaw with the sister of the woman she worked for. Esther began her work there in December 1942. This didn't last long as a visitor recognized her. However, the family was compassionate and allowed her to use their summer home in the Praga district until she found another job. She soon found other employment since she had the proper registration papers. It was difficult, but she lived there for another 8 months until she felt she had to move again as there was suspicion that she was Jewish. The next position that she found was with an older couple where the man of the house was a Volkdeutscher and who were fairly kind to her although he had a drinking problem.

In 1944 Esther was sent as a messenger for her boss. At this time, Luba was staying with her since she was suspected of being a Jew in the town where she was living. Both girls therefore were traveling together when the Polish uprising against the Germans broke out. They got off the trolley and walked for several hours until they reached their house. Two days later the Germans came by and began burning the houses of the Poles, including theirs. They were brought to an assembly are in Warsaw. Esther and Luba managed to escape and by luck met a sympathetic German who offered to help and drove them to Blotnica. Since Luba knew German and how to type, she worked in an office while Esther found work in the kitchen. 

However, after a few weeks, the girls became nervous and wanted to leave. The same German who brought them there was kind enough to take them out. He took them to a camp not far from the village with an anti-aircraft unit that was shooting down Russian planes. They were taken into their unit and spent the next eight months going back and forth from the Russian occupied territory to Poland. They reached as far as Danzig when they learned that Hitler was dead.

They were sent up by boat to Schleswig-Holstein and arrived on May 8, 1945. There they remained for another eight months still using their false names. Esther worked as a waitress in the English Officer's mess, and her sister-in-law found another job. Luba also met her future husband Bill who was with the British air force and came from Israel.

DP camp Bergen-Belsen (Celle) 

Esther left the area as soon as she could reestablish her identity with the help of the UNRAA. She took up her old name of Ester Rebecca Willig and moved to Celle, a DP camp near Bergen-Belsen. Esther worked in the camp's Beis Yaakov and also as an interpreter as she knew some English from Schleswig. Her fiancée Yisrael Wagner found her in Celle after searching for her for a year after the war in Warsaw and other displaced persons' camps.

They married in Salzburg, Austria on Lag B'Omer on May 19, 1946.

Rabbi Yisrael Wagner in La Paz

Esther was employed by UNRAA helping survivors fill out questionnaires searching for family members.From there Esther and her husband left on false papers for Belgium where they remained for 6 months and then immigrated to Bolivia where her husband was employed as a Rabbi in La Paz. 

They stayed there for several years, gave birth to their first son, but later moved to the United States. 

The father of President Donald Trump helped them to build a synagogue and became a friend of the family and regular guest at the Jewish Cultural Center.

Years later, after making Aliyah with her whole family, at the age of 80, Rivka began a new career: once a year she traveled to Poland with college aged students to tell her story in the place where most of it happened.

Her youngest daughter Malka accompanied her on seven of these trips. They celebrated Rivka’s 90th birthday in Warsaw. Together with about 200 young women, they went to the train station and she would tell the story of how it felt to get on the train as Rivka Willig and be Paulina Wilanska when she stepped off the train.

At the end of the trip to Poland, there would always be one student who would say, “Rebbezin Wagner, how did you keep your faith? They took everything from you, your home and family and life and your name. How did you keep your faith?”

Each time, Rivka would give the same answer. “My faith was the only thing that the Nazis couldn’t take away from me. My faith is what I had inside of me, instilled by my parents and their parents before them and all the way back. My faith was what helped me get through. Not everyone was like me, but I was free to do what I wanted, only with that.”

“But what about God?” another student dared to ask. “weren’t you angry at God?”

And then Rivka would answer, “God was not my problem. Man was my problem.”

Rivka, of blessed memory, passed away in 2016 at the age of 92.

Malka  talking to John Somerville in Yad Vashem's synagogue where she spoke to the group. 

Each time Malka tells a group visiting Yad Vashem about her mother’s ‘leap of faith’, people have tears in their eyes.

*********
Malka gave a more detailed description of the events, which the USHMM didn't mention. In the near future, I hope to share Malka's version in another blogpost!
The personal pictures of the Wagner family are from the USHMM website. 

Sources:

https://collections.ushmm.org/search/catalog/pa1168163

Malka Weisberg, Yad Vashem