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Next Thursday, Agam Berger, a recently freed hostage, will perform a poignant violin concert at the Auschwitz concentration camp during the 37th global March of the Living.
Her performance will take place in one of the most significant locations of Jewish history, marking an emotional moment for survivors and families connected to the tragedies of the past and present.
Berger, who survived captivity, will play a 130-year-old violin that was carried through the horrors of the Holocaust and later transported to Israel.
The violin, symbolizing survival and memory, represents the deep connection between generations who have faced unimaginable loss.
Sharing the stage with Berger will be Daniel Weiss, whose parents were tragically murdered in the October 7 attacks by terrorists.
Reflecting on the importance of the event, Weiss said, “Standing on the stage at Birkenau is a profound and moving mission for me.
Sharing this moment with Agam Berger, as she plays a violin that survived the Holocaust, is a powerful reminder of music’s ability to connect generations, to heal, and to preserve the stories that must never be forgotten.”
The March of the Living will bring together survivors of both the Holocaust and the October 7 attacks, including those who were held captive in Gaza. This year’s march holds a special significance as it commemorates 80 years since the atrocities of Auschwitz.
Among the participants is Sharon Sharabi, who will march with his brother, released hostage Eli Sharabi.
“It is a great privilege to participate in the March of the Living this year, and despite the immense emotional and physical difficulty, it will be an important mission to cry out to the entire world the cry of our brothers who remain in Hamas tunnels,” Sharabi said. “The lives of Jews are not to be forsaken.”
The emotional weight of the event is further emphasized by the participation of Tzili Wenkert, the grandmother of Omer Wenkert, who was freed from captivity.
Wenkert expressed her resilience: “I won twice – once against the Nazis and once against Hamas. I will march in the March of the Living as living proof that the Jewish people survive despite all attempts to destroy us.”
In addition to the marchers, Israeli President Isaac Herzog and First Lady Michal Herzog will join Polish President Andrzej Duda, alongside 80 Holocaust survivors, in leading the event.
Their participation reflects the shared commitment to preserving the memory of the Holocaust and advocating for a world where “Never Again” is a reality.
Haim Taib, the founder and president of the Menomadin Foundation, which is organizing the event in partnership with the World Zionist Organization, emphasized the message of the march: “This year, we will march alongside people who were abducted to Gaza and experienced atrocities not seen in 80 years. NEVER AGAIN IS NOW – this is a message that must echo in every home around the globe.”
The event will also be attended by Michael Kuperstein, the grandfather of Bar Kuperstein, who remains a captive in Gaza. Michael, reflecting on his long life, shared his heartbreak: “Bar is only 23, just at the beginning of his life, with so much ahead of him. I want all the hostages to return home so we can get our lives back.”
The March of the Living represents not only a tribute to the victims of the Holocaust but also a call for justice and the safe return of hostages still held in Gaza.
The powerful performance and the collective voices of survivors will stand as a testament to resilience and hope in the face of unspeakable horrors.