Journeys of Jewish Youth to Poland: Formative Experience or Passing Trend?

The Holocaust has been one of the continuous themes in Israeli society for the last several decades, constantly present in the media and other public spheres. The role of holocaust education in the crystallization of Jewish-Israeli identity, and specifically the trip to Poland for High School students, is a topic which is attracting increasing public attention. The trip is perceived by many as an essential formative experience, but at $1500, is not a viable option for every student. Indeed, last year only approximately one quarter of the year group in question took part.

As part of their continuing studies about major trends in Israeli society, culture, education and social affairs, Mandel Fellows met with Inbal Kvity-Ben Dov, from the International School for Holocaust Studies at Yad Vashem, to address pressing questions and understand controversial issues in holocaust education today.

“We are standing on a watershed line,” said Kvity-Ben Dov. “The Holocaust is still at the heart of the Israeli consensus, so the trip to Poland is a central way to connect with the heart of Israeli society. At the same time, there is a problem here, not in the price of the trip, but in the great importance accorded to it in terms of identity-building for Israeli youth.”

Sociologist Yair Oron proposed that in recent years, the Holocaust has become a major factor for young Israelis in defining their identity as Jews. In most of his research, says Oron, the Holocaust is described again and again as an event that is of great significance to the Jewish people at large as well as to their own destiny.
 
Despite the immense importance of the Poland trip in holocaust education and remembrance, Kvity-Ben Dov claims that the expectation that this trip will succeed in strengthening the Jewish, Israeli and universal identity of the student is somewhat problematic. She proposed to Mandel fellows that they consider whether the trip to Poland ought to be a solution to problems of Jewish Identity in Israeli society, and if so, is such a solution desirable?

Kvity offered the example of an alterative program which, in terms of identity, is having a similar affect on young Israelis as the Poland Trip.  The ‘Masa Yisraeli’ (The Spirit of Israel Experience Program) is a 6-day educational and spiritual trek through the land of Israel, for Israeli 10th and 11th grade high school students nationwide, which raises the same essential issues as the Poland trip. Its central objective is to reinvigorate Jewish identity in Israel and around the world while confronting the widening rifts within Israeli society and the Jewish people at large.

“We are located at a crossroads in this discussion, which could have a great affect on us. These are questions which must be asked,” Kvity told the fellows, concluding an avid discussion.

Mandel Fellows continue to explore this issue, and at the end of April, five Mandel fellows will participle in an 8-day youth delegation to Poland.