Trip to Auschwitz: A Lesson in Memory and Humanity

From March 4 to 7, 2025, students of the 12th grade from the Rambam Jewish Lyceum in the capital took a trip to Poland, where they visited the Auschwitz-Birkenau Memorial Museum. The excursion was dedicated to the 80th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz. For the students, this was not just an educational event but also a profound personal experience that will remain in their hearts for a lifetime.

Visiting Auschwitz left an indelible impression on the students. They had the opportunity to see with their own eyes the place they had heard so much about in Holocaust history lessons. Every step through the grounds of the death camp evoked strong emotions, and viewing the exhibits—suitcases, children’s shoes, photographs of prisoners—made the tragedy even more tangible.

“The first thing that struck me was the silence of the camp,” says Daniil. “It was unnatural, heavy, as if soaked in the pain and suffering of the past. What shook me the most were the children’s belongings—tiny shoes, toys left orphaned. How could such horrors be inflicted upon innocent souls? This question haunted me all day.”

The students shared their emotions in front of the walls of the gas chambers, where thousands of people met their deaths.

“When you stand in these places, you realize how fragile human life is and how important it is to stand against hatred and indifference,” Maria reflected.

This trip was not only a history lesson but also a serious moral challenge. Marina Kruk, history and Jewish culture teacher and homeroom teacher of the 12th grade, emphasized:

“I wanted my students not just to study the Holocaust from books but to see and feel its reality. To learn to value life and respect others, regardless of their religion or social status. I am sure this trip has become an important life lesson for them.”

After the excursion, the students remained silent for a long time. They needed time to process what they had seen. But one thing became clear: visiting Auschwitz changed their worldview.

This trip was made possible thanks to the financial support of the Jewish Community of the Republic of Moldova. Preserving the memory of the Holocaust is essential for future generations. Only by acknowledging the truth about the past can we build a society based on respect, humanity, and inclusivity.

“The March of Remembrance is complete! We will do everything to ensure that the memory of the horrors of the Holocaust lives on for centuries,” say the students.

Their words sound like both a promise and a call to each of us: to remember, to acknowledge, and to prevent this inhumane tragedy from ever happening again.