Two Arizona State University (ASU) students recently embarked on an emotional journey to Poland to uncover their family’s Holocaust history.
Yonatan and Ilanit Rosenbloom are the first in their family to return to Poland since their great-grandmother fled the horrors of the Holocaust as a teenager.
Their trip, organized by Chabad on Campus International, allowed them to delve deeper into their family’s history, filling in details that their great-grandmother could not recount. “It was an incredibly emotional trip. I didn’t expect to feel as deeply as I did,” Yonatan shared, reflecting on their visit to places tied to their ancestors.
The Rosenblooms learned that their great-grandmother and her brother escaped Łódź, Poland, during World War II, eventually reaching Israel.
However, many questions about their family’s past remained unanswered—questions their great-grandmother found too painful to address.
While in Poland, the siblings discovered records that may belong to their great-grandmother’s brother and parents, offering both closure and a deeper connection to their heritage.
“We think we found her brother, based on the date of birth, city of origin, and name. We’re also fairly confident we identified her parents, though their exact fate remains unknown,” Yonatan explained.
Beyond uncovering personal history, the trip illuminated the strength and resilience of Jewish culture.
Shmuel Tiechtel, Executive Director of Chabad at ASU, emphasized that the trip not only explores the tragedy of the Holocaust but also celebrates the vibrant Jewish communities that thrived in Poland before the war.
One of the most poignant moments for the siblings was seeing a Star of David carved into the wooden barracks of a concentration camp—a symbol of unwavering faith amidst unimaginable darkness. “This trip deepened my connection to my Judaism,” Yonatan said. “It made me realize the importance of sharing my heritage with others.”
Their journey coincides with International Holocaust Remembrance Day, which marks the 80th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz.
As the Rosenblooms reflect on their family’s history, they hope to honor the legacy of their ancestors by educating others and preserving the memory of Jewish resilience.
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