Hillel Montreal’s “Linking Generations” program on November 3rd fostered dialogue between students and Holocaust survivors.
The evening began with two options of traditional and egalitarian services at the Hillel house. Students and survivors completely packed the room where the traditional services were held. The larger-than-expected turnout forced some students to sit upstairs in the Hillel house during dinner, missing the speeches that followed services.
On-hand was a representative speaking on behalf of Steven Spielberg’s Shoah project that filmed thousands of interviews with Holocaust survivors from 1995 to 1997. This woman worked with Spielberg, personally interviewing a total of 98 survivors. At the event was one of the Holocaust survivors Speilberg’s colleagues interviewed, who spoke about her experiences in the war and the duty of young adults today. She emphasized that our generation is one of the last that will speak directly with survivors such as herself, and that we therefore have the duty to remind future generations to never forget what happened.
Following the speeches were dinner and discussions. In various rooms in the Hillel house, discussions were led by professionals on the topics of never forgetting the Holocaust, forgiveness, justice, and Jewish-Christian relations.