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March of Remembrance and Hope: An experience where past, present, and hope collides

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March of Remembrance and Hope: An experience where past, present, and hope collides

By: Sheridy Leslie


If you had not experienced injustice in your life, well some might say you’re pretty lucky; but if you had not experienced genocide in your life, many would agree that you are definitely blessed. This past May I embarked on trip that I was told would be a life-changing experience, which turned out to be much more than that. The trip or program I am referring to is formally known as the “March of Remembrance and Hope (MRH; 2008)”, which began with an intense orientation in Toronto, Canada that was translocated to Germany for a two-day introduction into the events that led up to one of the greatest human tragedies in our history, the Holocaust; and with our final stop to Poland, where many of the now silent witnesses of this atrocity remain in spirit and among the buried dust and ashes.

The purpose of this program, which is hosted by the Canadian Centre for Diversity and the National (Canadian) Jewish Campus Life, was to do a lot more than simply educate a handful (60 males and females) of Canadian students and young adults about the realities of the holocaust, this program sought to take young leaders like you and me and engage us in a possibility of living in a world (our world) without hate, evil, or injustice. Thus, as the title of the program would suggest, students who journeyed on this 10-day long program would be encouraged to both remember the sins of the past and reflect on new hope for the future.

Although the program was heavily subsided, therefore allowing youth from all socio-economic backgrounds to take part in the MRH experience first-hand, this was no free trip. What I mean is that, everyday each participant journeyed deeper and deeper emotionally, physically, and spiritually, which for some came out in tears and for others just long stances of silent reflection and prayer.

I have experienced injustice first-hand but I had not experienced genocide, yet after hearing the narratives of Holocaust survivors, seeing the gas chambers, and coming face-to-face with the thousands of possessions (including human hair) of all those who had seen the face of evil and for many lost their very lives as a consequence, I was more committed to be apart of the change that would end injustice for all. Throughout the trip I held back my tears, not out of shame, but out of hope, my living hope in Jesus Christ and in God who is my justice. You see, preventing injustice takes more than just trying to understand the logic and rational behind its occurrence (an impossible task if I do say so myself), it takes hope, hope that where there is justice there will also be NO injustice, and where there is love there will also be NO hate.

Since, and even before, the Holocaust there have been many genocides and other forms of immense human suffering, but that does mean genocide and other forms of discrimination are an inevitable part of human existence because this is simply not true. Gandhi once said that we should be the change we want to see in the world, but I implore all of you, my brothers and sisters alike, to be the justice you want to see in the world, and to be the love you want to see in the world. We only have one life to live, and I pray that you and I both chose to live our lives for good.

“This is not the end. It is not even the beginning of the end. But it is, perhaps, the end of the beginning.” Anne Frank, November 9, 1942

Paix and Shalom

For more information about this amazing experience, please visit http://www.remembranceandhope.com/




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adham5555 Adham Tobail
June 22, 2008 | 7:09 PM adham from Sheridy Leslie
The very beautiful
The brilliant idea
But the violence
The only genocide
But despite what the world has witnessed progress in the concepts of democracy and human rights and humanitarian
Despite the existence of law and institutions of civil society
However, the international solidarity against genocide, murder and arrest still exist until this moment
I call upon the youth of the world to participate in this program until we say no to injustice and aggression or force
We must increase international solidarity campaigns and peaceful stand beside States suffering from injustice and blockade, killing and corruption
adham_333@hotmail.com
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