Year 10 Student Reflection – A Day That Deepened Understanding
On Tuesday 12 May, my cohort and I had the privilege of attending the Jewish Museum held at the Central Synagogue in Bondi. The excursion was both deeply moving and educational, giving us a greater understanding of the Holocaust, Jewish culture, and faith, as well as the importance of standing against antisemitism. In the face of rising antisemitism, it is crucial to understand the Jewish faith and the futility of historical prejudice against religion.
Meeting a Holocaust survivor allowed us to understand how the Holocaust impacted the European Jewish population. The survivor, Richard, recounted his life during the Holocaust, where he described the cruel reality of escaping the Nazi Regime. A key moment that stood out to me was when he highlighted how the kindness and humanity that a citizen had allowed him to avoid being sent to the Gestapo after he was ambushed by Polish boys on the way to his relative’s house. This moment was very touching, to know that during a time of mass persecution and fear, there were people who still showed empathy and hope for humanity, which ultimately saved Richard’s life. Meeting a Holocaust survivor felt surreal; seeing someone who experienced a dark time in history. This was an amazing privilege, and I am sure that the whole cohort was grateful for this opportunity too. Richard was a friendly person that engaged and interacted with us, and his kind demeanour was very touching and warm.
After that, we all listened to an educational lecture about antisemitism and how it wasn’t essentially created by the Nazi regime. It was in fact an ongoing ideology that originated hundreds of years ago and was used by the Nazis to promote nationalism. Jonathan, the lecturer, explained to us how antisemitism had gradually formed over centuries, giving us examples of how it was portrayed in different countries. Jonathan highlighted how in France, Jewish people were forced to wear a yellow badge labelled ‘Juif’ to isolate and identify them from society. He talked about how they were associated with yellow, as it was symbolic of cowardice, enforcing antisemitic stereotypes. Jonathan’s lecture on antisemitism deepened our understanding of the historical persistence of antisemitism.
Exploring other central aspects of the Holocaust, we split up into groups to focus on different experiences that were affected by the Nazi Regime. My guide, Mary, brought us to stations to explore the eviction of Jews, following the directive issued by the Nazi’s that allowed forcible confiscation of Jewish property after Kristallnacht. Mary, who was a volunteer, had familial connections to Holocaust survivors, adding her own personal depth to our learning.
Learning about the historical significance of antisemitism also deepened our understanding of the Jewish faith and the resilience of the Jewish community. We were allowed to enter the central synagogue, seeing the layout and where the Torah was held. In another presentation we learned about the Jewish tradition of Passover, a festival that commemorates the Exodus of Israelites from Ancient Egypt and celebrates liberation and freedom. During Passover, Jewish people refrain from eating or possessing chametz, which refers to foods made from five main grains (wheat, barley, rye, oats, and spelt) that have risen or fermented. As a result, foods such as bread, pasta, biscuits, and beer are prohibited. The festival also symbolises remembrance and gratitude, as Jewish families reflect on their history and cultural identity through traditions such as the Seder meal and the eating of matzah. Despite centuries of persecution, Jewish people have continued to preserve their traditions, beliefs, and strong sense of identity.
The excursion reminded us that faith can provide strength and unity even during times of immense suffering, while also showing the importance of acceptance, compassion, and respect for all religions and cultures.
– Leanne Pham (Year 10)