Rosh Hashanah Project Bridges Generational and Cultural Divides in Israel

The "Children of War" project, run by the "Atid BaMidbar" organization, facilitates intergenerational gatherings in Israel ahead of Rosh Hashanah, aiming to connect elderly Holocaust survivors and youth. Despite initial anxieties about language barriers and differing life experiences, participants find common ground through shared stories, music, and dancing.

Project director Irena Kudman emphasizes that the "language of love and respect" transcends linguistic and cultural differences. The program, which has been running for many years, brings together Israeli teenagers from diverse backgrounds with elderly individuals, often creating profound connections. Kudman noted that the teenagers are ordinary Israeli youth, not specially selected, highlighting the program's success in fostering understanding.

One notable interaction involved a 97-year-old Holocaust survivor who, after participating in the project, felt rejuvenated and claimed to be dancing and feeling 80 again, eliciting laughter and applause. These meetings serve as an exchange of experiences and energy, leaving participants with a sense of shared history and mutual appreciation.

The project has expanded its reach, collaborating with the "Amit" religious school in Be'er Sheva, where students learn Jewish traditions and sciences. These encounters offer students a direct connection to history through personal narratives. The "Children of War" project, initiated 15 years ago to preserve the memory of Soviet Jewish heroes, has evolved from an archival initiative into a platform for ongoing intergenerational contact.

Over the years, the project has developed partnerships with various organizations, including the Be'er Sheva Municipality's department for Holocaust survivors, local clubs, schools, and social institutions in the Negev. It also receives support from the German foundation EVZ and the Norwegian foundation HGH. The initiative underscores the importance of community and shared experience, especially during the Rosh Hashanah holiday, promoting unity across different ages, languages, and backgrounds.