Poland born Holocaust survivor Professor Mark Spigelman who now lives in Sydney shared: “The Bondi massacre came after more than two years of a sharp rise in antisemitism in Australia following October 7, and it transformed an abstract fear into something deeply personal. Like many Jews, I had already been living with heightened awareness and concern. After Bondi, that concern became a constant question about personal safety for myself, for my family, and for the society we live in”.

After the October 7 attacks, Mark says he was initially shocked by how swiftly and openly antisemitism spread: “I soon realized that it had always been there, restrained only by social norms shaped in the aftermath of the Holocaust. October 7 acted as a catalyst. Under the banner of “anti-Zionism,” antisemitism became acceptable again in public discourse”.

Mark will march this year against antisemitism with the Australian delegation at the March of the Living.

“Holocaust education is not optional — it is essential. Antisemitism is not a separate phenomenon; it is a branch of racism. Programs like the March of the Living play a crucial role in this effort. They expose young people to the reality of the Holocaust in a way that textbooks cannot. Anyone who has participated in a March understands that it is a transformative experience — one that leaves a lasting moral imprint.”

“March of the Living shows our history and shows what we can accomplish together.”

Hershel Greenblat was born in Russia (now Ukraine) in April 1941; during the German invasion his mother was severely wounded. In 1943 his father imprisoned for stealing bread to feed the family, and they fled east in search of safety. A month later Hershel’s sister was born.

After the war, the family reached a displaced persons camp in the American Zone of Austria and immigrated to the United States in November 1950.

Hershel participated in several March of the Living programs. Ahead of International Holocaust Remembrance Day Hershel shared with us his thoughts about antisemitism, education and Jewish pride:

Antisemitism

“I hope and pray antisemitism is eradicated because I have an 8-year-old great grandson. I want him to grow up without hate”.

“Antisemitism after October 7 has become a call for unity. If we do not take care of one another, no one else will. Israel is our home and our refuge, and a source of strength for the Jewish people. We must show the world that our greatest strength lies in our connection to each other”.

Jewish Pride

“Despite the growing antisemitism, I have not changed my way of life or hidden my identity—on the contrary. I always show off my Star of David and my kippah. I will never hide my Judaism.

I believe this is what the world wants us to do: to disappear. But we cannot disappear, and we will not disappear.

I have become even prouder of my Judaism, attending synagogue and taking part in Jewish events. We have endured too much—my family and I have endured too much—for me to hide who I am. To do so would be a disrespect to the generations who came before me.”

March of the Living

“March of the Living is one of the greatest tools that we have to educate the younger generation. The program shows our history and show what we can accomplish together. When I go to the airport and I see 50 young students about to go on the March, they are totally changed in the best possible way when they get back. I get emails from Boston College to UCLA from former marchers about their love and acceptance of Judaism. They participate in Jewish life at their universities.”

Hope

“My family. My traditions. My teaching. Knowing that I am part of a situation where I am going to leave something. The next generation gives me hope. My youngest granddaughter is involved in a 3G group and the Daffodil Project. Young Jewish men and women are waking up to the fact that if they want to stop antisemitism, they have to work at it.