
Marking 80 Years Since the Liberation of Auschwitz
Today is International Holocaust Remembrance Day, marking 80 years since the liberation of Auschwitz. This day carries immense weight for all of humanity. For me, as the son of a Holocaust survivor, it has a deeply personal meaning.
The Quiet Strength of My Mother
My mother, lovingly known to many as “Rebbetzin Leah,” embodies the quiet strength of her generation. Like so many others, she rarely spoke of the pain she endured during the war. A few years ago, however, she shared something she had never revealed before. It was a truth that deepened my appreciation for her resilience.
A Chabad House in Bender: A Connection to the Past
Two years ago, Chanan Greenwood, a journalist from Israel Hayom, visited the city of Bender. He came to report on the work of Chabad’s shluchim, Rabbi Mendel and Leah Gotzel, as they celebrated the opening of a new Chabad House. During his visit, Chanan called my mother and asked, “Rebbetzin Leah, how do you feel about the establishment of a new Chabad House in Bender?”
Her response stunned me. For the first time, she revealed that her parents—my grandparents, whom I never had the chance to know—were murdered in this very region during the Holocaust.
Hearing the Truth for the First Time
Later, Chanan reached out to me and asked, “How did you feel hearing that your grandparents were killed here?”
I told him the truth: it was the first time I had ever heard this. In that moment, one thing became clear to me. The most profound response to their suffering is ensuring that Jewish life not only survives but thrives in the places where they sought to destroy us.
A Beacon of Hope on Sacred Soil
Today, on the same soil where my family endured so much, there stands a vibrant Chabad House. It is more than a building. It serves as a beacon of light and hope, a testament to the resilience of the Jewish spirit.
True Victory: Securing the Future
But our story does not end there. True victory is not just about rebuilding structures. It is about securing a thriving future for generations to come.
Recently, we celebrated the opening of a new women’s mikvah in Kishinev. At the ribbon-cutting ceremony, four generations of my family stood together: my mother, myself, my daughter and niece, and her great-grandchildren. Together, we stood strong, continuing a legacy of faith and resilience.
A Moment of Triumph: “Mein Yiddishe Mama”
As part of the celebration, we sang the beloved Yiddish song “Mein Yiddishe Mama” in honor of my mother. The moment was deeply moving. The sweetness of the song carried a powerful message to those who tried to destroy us: you failed.
Am Yisrael Chai – The Jewish People Live
Here we are, four generations later, standing proudly on Moldovan soil. We are ensuring that Jewish life flourishes. Thank you, Ma! I am sure everyone will join me in wishing my mom many more long, healthy, and happy years ahead.
Am Yisrael Chai – The Jewish People Live.
Written by: Zushe Abelsky