In spite of the security problems facing Israel last year, a group of twenty-five 16 year olds from Johannesburg and CapeTown arrived in April to take part in one of the P2K seminars on Tolerance.

They came in solidarity and it is Kol Hakavod to the parents for permitting their children to particpate, especially when during the final arrangements, the news from Israel seemed to get worse and worse. The Israeli participants from Beit Shemesh/Adulam joined their visitors over Shabbat in Kiryat Moriah and enjoyed a two-day tour of the North.

On Yom Hashoah, the South African group visited Yad VaShem and had a very touching experience. Walking through the museum, they saw an elderly gentleman standing looking at one picture for a long time. The accompanying Shaliach from South Africa asked the man if there was something special about this particular photograph. "For me it is very special" said the man and pointed to the face of a young boy of about 16 and said "that is me." He went on to tell the group about how he survived Auschwitz and every year he stands in front of the photograph in hope that someone from the picture would arrive. He has not given up hope in spite of the fact that for many years he has attempted to find someone from the group and has not yet succeeded.

This encounter with a survivor added great meaning to their experiences that day.

Nisan 5761 - April 2000