Dear Friends,
On the Shabbat when we read the story about Noah and the Ark, we are reminded of the potential that human beings have to perpetrate evil in our world. We see examples of negative human behavior every day and we also see examples of human kindness every day. It is easy to lost sight of the positive behavior that occurs in our society when we are overwhelmed by the negative actions that we are exposed to on a daily basis through the media.
I hope that we can find meaningful ways to help ensure that our good actions will outweigh the negative actions that fill our world. One of the most inspirational programs in which I have ever participated is the March of the Living. You have heard me talk about this trip often and I hope that we can have a congregational and community delegation participate this spring. The dates are April 15, 2012-April 29, 2012. The following description is from the web site of the March of the Living which is www.motl.org.
THE MARCH OF THE LIVING is an international, educational program that brings Jewish teens from all over the world to Poland on Yom Hashoah, Holocaust Memorial Day, to march from Auschwitz to Birkenau, the largest concentration camp complex built during World War II, and then to Israel to observe Yom HaZikaron, Israel Memorial Day, and Yom Ha’Atzmaut, Israel Independence Day.
The goal of the March of the Living is for these young people to learn the lessons of the Holocaust and to lead the Jewish people into the future vowing Never Again.
On Sunday, Nov. 6 I will do an informational session about the March of the Living at 7pm at Adat Reyim, 6500 Westbury Oaks Ct. Springfield, VA. 22152. I hope you will come hear more about this life changing program which is open to students who are in 10th grade and older. Please contact me at 703-866-5531 if you would like further information. What a wonderful pilgrimage to make! I know that one of the most special activities in which I have participated with Sue and our own children has been the March.
As we confront the evil which occurred during the Holocaust and witness the hope which Israel offers, I believe that this educational program has the capacity to change lives.
Shabbat Shalom,
Rabbi Bruce D. Aft