Reflections on a 20-Year Journey
Looking back over the last two decades, this project has brought many incredible, life-changing experiences into my life. While it is difficult to choose which moments made the deepest impression, five distinct chapters stand out as a testament to what we have achieved together:
1. A Nation Remembers: The Visit of the Israeli Ambassador
For a very long time, I carried a deep wish in my heart: I wanted to feel that the memory of the Jews who lived, built, and tragically died in Vilkaviškis was truly recognized on the world stage. The official visit of the Israeli Ambassador, Mr. Amir Maimon, fulfilled that lifelong dream. Seeing a formal representative of the Jewish nation stand in Vilkaviškis to honor their memory was an unforgettable moment of closure and respect.
2. Breaking Barriers: Speaking at the Residential Hostel
One of our most unexpected and profound challenges came when Irma and I were requested to speak at a residential hostel for adults close to Vilkaviškis. We naturally wondered how our message would be received, but we did our absolute best. We were both utterly amazed by the experience—the audience was incredibly attentive, and the sheer depth of their questions showed a beautiful, universal human empathy.
3. A Boundless Partnership: Meeting Irma
Perhaps my most amazing experience of all was meeting Irma. Born in Vilkaviškis, she had absolutely no prior background in anything Jewish. There are countless things that amaze me about Irma every single day, but the sheer depth of her desire to help me bring this history back to life has never once failed to move me. This project simply would not be what it is without her.
4. Passing the Torch: Speaking to the IDF
Every year in Israel, we mark Holocaust Remembrance Day, and last year I was deeply honored to be asked to speak at an army base not far from our village. Standing before so many young Israeli soldiers to speak about this project was incredibly moving. I was deeply surprised and heartened by their intense interest in a subject that, on the surface, seems so far removed from their intense daily lives.
5. An Expected Honor
To cap off these years of dedication, I was greatly honored to be formally named an Honorary Citizen of Vilkaviškis. To be recognized by the town itself as a keeper of its history is a distinction I carry with immense pride.
Closing Thoughts: The Living Bridge
When we began, we were looking for names carved in stone. What we found instead was a living network of descendants, locals, and friends. History is not just about the past; it is about the connections we make today to ensure that light always triumphs over silence.
Thank you for walking this 20-year path with us. The journey continues.