More than 230 Chabad centers around the world will offer a powerful program on the fast day of Tisha B’Av, Tuesday, July 16, that includes an inspirational session of film, study and personal reflection about finding faith in difficult times.
Part of the day’s learning program will focus on “Triumph of Hope: Personal Recollections of Faith Amidst the Horrors of the Holocaust,” a project of the Rohr Jewish Learning Institute.
This 25-minute, gripping new documentary features survivors who recount memories of increased faith, resilience and strengthened Jewish identity during a time of great fear and agony.
Following the film, participants will study the topic of faith amidst suffering and struggle, with specially produced textbooks and visual aids produced by JLI.
Rabbi Mendel Kaplan, director of Chabad @ Flamingo in Toronto, Canada, and acclaimed teacher whose many video and audio classes are featured on Jewish.tv, directed the film production and teamed up with JLI for the project.
The documentary was conceived last year, explained Kaplan, when he decided to honor local Holocaust survivors at the Chabad Center’s annual dinner.
‘Absolutely Shocked’ by the Interviews
“We interviewed these men and women with no preconceived idea of what they would say, and I was absolutely shocked by their responses,” said Kaplan.
“Like most people,” he explained, “I assumed that the main themes would be courage despite a lack of faith in G‑d amidst profound feelings of isolation and abandonment. It’s what I now call the ‘Holocaust-survivor myth,’ that the Nazis destroyed whatever faith these people had in G‑d and in life.”
To the contrary, Kaplan found that their experiences strengthened their connection to G‑d, their identity as Jews, and their fellowship with those who shared their horrors. He learned was that “each and every one of them felt that G‑d was with them throughout their sufferings, and their experiences only gave them a heightened awareness of being part of the Jewish people.”
The film weaves together survivors’ personal recollections, fascinating stories and sentiments, along with a rare video clip of the Rebbe (Rabbi Menachem M. Schneerson, of righteous memory) speaking about the Holocaust.
Over many months, Kaplan considered ways to share with the widest possible audience the survivors’ stories of faith, courage and Jewish identity, as well as the Rebbe’s teachings on the subject of faith during times of suffering.
“I am gratified that thousands of people around the world will be able to be inspired by these survivors’ example on Tisha B’Av, the day when we all are called upon to reflect on the tragedies that we have experienced throughout the ages, as individuals and as a people.”
Visit the Chabad-Lubavitch Global Event Directory for a schedule of Tisha B’Av classes and prayer service times.
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