As Holocaust Survivors Return to Auschwitz to Mark 70 Years of Liberation—One Survivor Says, "The Tall Trees Made Me Immediately Anxious!"

Anav Silverman : Jan 27, 2015
Breaking Israel News

"...it's not enough just to remember; we have to make sure that this never happens again."

(Auschwitz, Poland)—Fifteen Auschwitz survivors, aged 80-94, returned on Monday, January 26, to the infamous death camp, Auschwitz, some for the first time. Ahead of the 70th anniversary celebration of the Auschwitz liberation on January 27, the World Jewish Congress (WJC), the USC Shoah Foundation, organized the historic visit of the survivors and their offspring, who came from across the world. (Photo: Holocaust survivors return to visit Auschwitz to mark this year's 70 years of liberation/Shahar Azran)

"When I arrived in Poland, the tall trees made me immediately anxious. They reminded me of my arrival to Auschwitz—the same day my mother and little sister were gassed," said Johnny Pekats, 80, one of the American survivors who returned to the death camp for his first time.

"For years I refused to return to this horrible place, but I finally decided to come back with my son. I wanted to say Kaddish with him there," said Pekats.

"This is my first and last visit to Auschwitz and my message for the word is that it's not enough just to remember; we have to make sure that this never happens again." (Photo: Shahar Azran)

More than 100 Auschwitz survivors from at least 19 countries arrived in Poland on Monday as part of the World Jewish Congress' delegation to participate in the upcoming ceremony and events. From the United States, 21 American survivors of Auschwitz will participate in the January 27 observance of the 70th anniversary of the camp's liberation for the International Holocaust Remembrance Day.

Given the age and conditions of the survivors and the heavy emotional experience, the WJC also arranged a special medical team of 12 doctors, psychologists and nurses who will accompany the survivors throughout the visit.

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