One of the key aims of Lo Tishkach is to engage young people; encouraging reflection on the values that are important for responsible citizenship and mutual respect, giving a valuable insight into Jewish culture and mobilising young people to care for our common heritage.
We spoke to some of the JFS students who participated in our trip to Florence, Tuscany and its Jewish cemeteries about how the trip affected them.
Did this trip connect you with your Jewish past, your Jewish family or history?
Nicole: Yes, I found a direct connection because of the symbols on the graves – they are the same of those on the graveyards where my family is buried. The names are also similar, Cohen, Levi and others, they also sound very familiar.
What was the highlight of the trip?
Nicole: Well, one of the highlights for me was spending Shabbat with the community; we met people from all over Italy, like the group of youngsters from Rome. We felt a part of it, like at home, the same songs, the same tunes, I made myself some friends, that was really nice.
You filled in survey papers for ‘Lo Tishkach’ which will help our research a lot. Did the report add to your attitude towards research as a tool?
Esther: Yes, it encourages me to take a step out and help also similar Charities that will help preserve the future.
Which part of Jewish Florence will stay in your memory?
Esther: For me it was without a doubt visiting the synagogue of Florence The stunning architecture is incredible but also a reminder of how very big the community once obviously was and how tiny it is today. We saw how empty the shul was during Shabbat, that was really sad and really touching for me.
Tell us your personal feeling about this ‘Lo Tishkach’ trip, what struck you personally?
Elisha: what struck me the most was, visiting the cemeteries, how there are now in such a bad condition, and how we managed to make some study about them despite that. Also, how by answering this survey we uncovered more information and trying to figure out more history and background information about it.
You said today this trip was very personal for you – in what way?
Elisha: Oh yes, one of my grandparents is from Florence, and part of my family is Italian. That was why I was happy to help out a little. It was important to find more out about some hidden history that perhaps will be useful in some other Jewish history.
We are here in the courtyard of the synagogue, looking at the Holocaust memorial plaque, how do you relate to that in accordance with the Lo Tishkach Jewish cemetery trip you are part of?
James: If you think about the Shoa, you think Poland, Germany perhaps, but not Italy, so this already came as a certain surprise. The fact that we are here in front of the current synagogue and the centre of Jewish life in Florence shows a good combination of our trip here in Italy, in Florence. Because on the one hand not only we are remembering those Jews of the past, remembering them in the cemeteries and here, and on the other hand it is nice to be able to witness the survival of the Jews nowadays, here by the synagogue as well.
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