In one room, several Holocaust survivors sat, joyous and emotional, attending a ceremony for the inauguration of a new book and exhibition featuring their stories. For the past 11 years, they have been meeting every Sunday, and recently the project manager, Michal Fundaminski, asked each of them to summarize their lives and convey a message to future generations.
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Each Holocaust survivor was invited to think of a sentence that represented his or her choice. Here are some of the selections made by the survivors who live among us:
Mordechai Yerushalmi, a Hungarian-born survivor, 87, said – "In every place and at every time – strive to be a decent man." This sentence also was incorporated into the published book and is now displayed on the streets of Jerusalem in a quotations exhibition.
Ora Ninio, an 87-year-old survivor from France, chose to write: "Be strong and smile, take care of yourselves, know that the sun rises, the difficulties will pass, and the Holy One, blessed be He, is merciful." Her husband, Samuel Ninio, wrote, "Am Yisrael Chai (the people of Israel live), we merited the land of Israel, it is a privilege to witness the chain of life renewing itself."
Bina Kamiler, a native of Belgium, conveyed the message her father imparted to her the last time she saw him before he was taken by the Nazis: "Remember that there will always be someone around you in a more difficult situation than yours. Help them, and thus you will also help yourselves."
And what was the message of Shlomo Buchnik, an 88-year-old native of Tunisia? "Contemplate life as a rose, enjoy its fragrance and beauty, and don't focus only on the thorns."
Yoav Braun, 79, born in Romania, shared: "Despite the suffering of the Jewish people, including those of us who experienced it firsthand, the Jewish spark still lives within us and will continue to burn."
Bina Cohen, who recently died at the age of 97 and didn't have the chance to see the book published, left a message that can also be seen on the streets of Jerusalem: "My aliyah to the land of Israel after the Holocaust and the establishment of my family here – these are the significant achievements in my life."
Thousands of years of life were gathered together in one room. Each sentence reflected proportion, perspective, breadth of spirit and gratitude. These are people who witnessed the world being destroyed and rebuilt, and it is worthwhile to listen to them.
That's exactly what Cila Peter, an 87-year-old native of Romania, wanted to tell us in her sentence: "The most beautiful melodies are played on old violins. Appreciate the life experience of the elderly."
Indeed, when there is so much noise and clamor outside that keeps growing, it is good to listen to those old violins.