Have you ever felt so inspired yet so defeated at the same time? I have. After participating in the March of Remembrance and Hope and walking through the events of the Holocaust alongside two survivors, seeing the resilience of mankind is unfathomable. You might wonder, why should we care about something that happened in the past and how does it affect us now? My answer to that is everything that surrounds this historical event is emulated in what we see in our society today. Since the Holocaust, we continuously encounter multiple renditions of hateful acts, discrimination and genocide. I firmly believe that each one of us is solely a reflection of one another, what I may like in myself is what I will choose to surround myself with, while what I may dislike in myself is what I will try to avoid. We all have the capabilities and the choice to participate in acts that may harm one another. Therefore, as a society we have an obligation not only to learn about the previous failures we have created as a human race but also to understand what ways we can educate ourselves to mitigate these tragic ways of thinking.
MRH has transformed my way of being. It provides a connection to humanity unlike any other. Being a part of this journey has taught me about the importance of human connectivity and how quickly that bond can be cultivated. A room full of strangers rapidly transforms into comradery filled with exchanges that are propelled by the unconditional love for humanness. The foundation of MRH should be a part of everyone’s existence. It has taught me the meaning of understanding, forgiveness and knowledge through a lens of wisdom, of survivors and educators who continue to ride the pendulum between adversity and hope. MRH provides a snapshot of what our world could look like if we value life, regardless of intersection. It gifts you with a piece of a utopic looking glass and motivates you to use the power of connection to build the rest. The name itself illustrates precisely how you feel when the trip concludes, hope.