Page 4 - The Jewish Voice - April '21

Page 4, The Jewish Voice

LocaL happenings

The Ballerina of Auschwitz was awed to meet someone who was in Auschwitz when “We are incredibly proud to continue to provide
she was Moussia’s age. robust and meaningful programs that celebrate Israel, its
A native of Hungary, Edith Eva Eger was just a teenager Her powerful message inspired all present to reassess people, culture, and history in ways that are unique and
in 1944 when she experienced one of the worst evils the their understanding of the Holocaust, and of all their memorable,” said Peter Eckstein, Federation’s Director,
human race has ever known. As a Jew living in Nazi- struggles, by realizing that “G-d doesn’t make junk. Jewish Education & Israel Engagement. “There is much
occupied Eastern Europe, she and her family were sent to Everything that happens is for a profound reason. And to celebrate, and these hybrid events are another example
Auschwitz. Her parents were sent to the gas chambers but if we’re not ready to understand it, then you have to try of how Federation has innovated amidst an unprecedented
Edith’s bravery kept her and her sister alive. harder.” time to shine a light on the importance of connecting to
When Dr. Josef Mengele learned that she was a ballerina, Because, she added, “No one can get to your soul unless and celebrating everything Israel.”
he forced her to dance for him in Auschwitz while classical you let them in.” For more information and to register for all IsraelDays
music played in the background. Toward the end of the war events, including the 5K and Challenge, visit, jewishpb.org/
Edith and other prisoners had been moved to Austria. On IsraelDays Festivities israeldays or call 561.242.6642.
May 4, 1945, a young American soldier noticed her hand Provide Multiple Ways to
moving slightly among a number of dead bodies. He quickly Passover Meals Distributed
summoned medical help and brought her back from the Celebrate Israel
brink of death. to Community Members
IsraelDays, the popular event
series dedicated to celebrating Approximately 60 volunteers from Ferd & Gladys
the history and culture of Israel, Alpert Jewish Family Service, The Kind Kitchen of
returns with a dynamic range Palm Beach, and the Jewish Federation of Palm Beach
of programs including a new County’s Jewish Volunteer Center (JVC) packaged or
Israel Independence Day 5K delivered meals for approximately 500 people throughout
and Challenge, plus an inspiring Palm Beach County for the Jewish holiday of Passover.
Yom Ha’Shoah (Holocaust Drivers donned masks and gloves, and practiced social
remembrance) event, a panel distancing. They safely delivered festive, traditional
discussion and memorial program for Yom HaZikaron meals, a Passover card, seder plate, guide to the holiday,
(Israel’s Memorial Day), and both a virtual and in-person and Kiddush cup to each household for the holiday
option to celebrate Yom Ha’Atzmaut (Israel’s 73rd year commemorating the Hebrews’ liberation from slavery in
of independence). Now in its seventh year, IsraelDays is Egypt.
presented by Jewish Federation of Palm Beach County’s
Israel Program Center.
The Israel Independence Day 5K & Challenge features a
month-long virtual program where participants of all ages and
fitness levels are invited to track their running or biking on a
customized computer platform that features a map of Israel.
The innovative program consists of six challenges: three
running/walking (5K, 36 miles, 73 miles) and three riding
(5K, 36 miles, 73 miles), and as participants reach virtual
landmarks they will be notified where they are in Israel and
learn insights about each landmark. The inaugural challenge
begins April 11 and concludes on May 11. Registration is $18
and includes a virtual map, T-shirt, and medal.
The Yom HaAtzmaut aspect of IsraelDays — one of the
most festive events of the year — will feature a virtual and Meals of gefilte fish and horseradish, salad, chicken,
optional in-person dance party hosted at Oxbridge Academy brisket, kugel (a baked casserole side dish), tzimmes
in West Palm Beach on April 18, from 1:30 to 4 p.m. To (a carrot and dried fruit stew), cake, and grape juice
comply with COVID-19 safety measures, the in-person that reached clients of Alpert JFS’ Holocaust Survivors
event is limited to 100 guests and will be held outside, where Assistance program were funded through KAVOD. The
guests will be assigned to an area where they can dance to organization partners with Jewish family services and
Israeli current songs as well as folk music. All participants other organizations that work with survivors, providing
are asked to wear masks and maintain a six-foot distance assistance with whatever emergency or day-to-day needs
from each other. The celebration will also include trivia, that they have.
games, and hourly line dancing for those celebrating in
person and at home. Local Happenings on page 5
In a recent virtual presentation, Dr. Edith Eva Eger, well
into her 90s, addressed hundreds of members and friends of
Chabad of Palm Beach Gardens with her incredible story.
She spoke about her life’s mission to transform the darkness Don’t meet the criteria
of her past into healing for others through her successful
therapy work. And how the most important achievement for LASIK surgery?
is the healing of the most difficult client she ever faced —
herself!
In a stunning comment, she declared that “Auschwitz
was the greatest classroom she ever experienced. Nothing Want to reduce
happens without a reason and I chose to learn the lessons
that G-d was teaching me, despite the harsh manner in which
they were taught to me”. your need for glasses?
When asked where G-d was during the Holocaust, she
said: “G-d was within me in the Holocaust. He carried me
through. He is the reason I am here today.”
The audience was awed into a still silence, hearing these
profound words of wisdom from the mouth of a Holocaust Contact us for more
survivor who has successfully transformed her trauma into
triumph.
She spoke less about how she survived and more about info about RLE:
how to survive the traumas of our lives.
When asked if she could forgive the Nazis, she said: “I Refractive Lens
am not G-d. It’s not for me to forgive them for their evil.
What I do need to do is to forgive myself — for surviving
the unspeakable traumas that I endured while so many others Exchange
did not.”
She said that “You cannot heal what you cannot feel.
Hence we have to have the courage to face yourself. CALL
Develop the courage to face your demons instead of trying
to overcome them.” OR
Dr. Eger connected naturally with 13-year-old Moussia 561.500.2020 TEXT
Vigler, daughter of Rabbi Dovid and Chana Vigler, in a
spontaneous and down-to-earth conversation about life
through the eyes of a teenager, despite the 80-year age mittlemaneye.com/refractive-lens-exchange/ Redefining Excellence.
difference between them. Moussia is fascinated by anything
and eagerly reads anything related to the Holocaust. She