ASHER

05/27/2026

“How can I convey the reality of the atrocities that transpired here years ago when everything has vanished?”

At Treblinka, there are no barracks left standing. No gates. No buildings to walk through. Only silence and a field of jagged stones marking lives stolen and stories interrupted.

Treblinka was designed for immediate mass extermination and they attempted to erase every trace of what happened there.

The weight of standing in a place where so much suffering occurred and yet so little physically remains.

We remember not only through what we can see, but through what we choose to carry forward.

Our candles still burn.
Our stories still matter.
And we remember. Always.

05/19/2026

“I love being Jewish.”

Michele Goodman joined our ASHER mission to Poland to honor her roots and deepen her understanding of the Holocaust. Returning to Auschwitz and visiting Treblinka for the first time, she reflected on the weight of standing in places where so much was erased, yet so much is still felt.

Her words remind us why we go. To remember. To bear witness. To carry these stories forward with pride and purpose.

05/08/2026

Our ASHER mission is one that will stay with us forever, in large part because Holocaust survivor Tova Friedman joined us. Taking this journey with Tova was different. Special. Deeply personal.

The privilege of walking alongside Tova on the same train tracks that brought her here all those years ago is something we will carry with us always. Listening to her testimony in the very place where history unfolded was not only heartbreaking, but profoundly sacred.

Tova is one of the youngest Holocaust survivors to emerge from Auschwitz. Every conversation, every reflection, every step beside her was a blessing. On this mission, we were reminded that the true honor is being entrusted with these stories by those who lived them with the responsibility to carry their light forward.

Thank you, Tova

04/15/2026

While on our mission in Poland, our ASHER delegation continues to experience moments of profound meaning and inspiration.

Traveling alongside Holocaust survivor Tova Friedman is itself a privilege beyond words. During this journey, we also witnessed an extraordinary and deeply moving connection between Tova and two Israeli hostages who recently returned home after captivity by Hamas, Agam Berger and Omri Miran.

At the Yom HaShoah eve program, Agam Berger performed on a violin that survived the Holocaust. Later, during our trip, Agam, her mother and twin sister came to meet Tova. It was a powerful moment that bridged generations through survival and resilience.

We met Omri Miran at the March of the Living. After listening intently as Tova shared her story of arriving at Birkenau in a cattle car, Omri embraced her, and thanked her. Tova was moved to tears.

To witness these encounters was to stand at the intersection of past and present. Survivors of different chapters of our Jewish history, each carrying stories of unimaginable hardship, yet finding connection and understanding in one another.

These are the moments that deepen our mission.
They remind us not only of what was lost, but of the enduring resilience of the Jewish people.

We carry these stories forward with responsibility and purpose.

04/13/2026

On Yom HaShoah, we recommit to combatting hatred and antisemitism.

That commitment brings our ASHER community to the International March of the Living for our first mission.

Led by our Jewish Agency Senior Shlicha, Adi Farkash, our delegation will walk from Auschwitz to Birkenau alongside 50 survivors and thousands from around the world.

We are deeply grateful to our Mission Chairs, Barry Levine and Rachie Schnay, whose leadership has been instrumental in bringing this journey to life.

We are also profoundly honored that Holocaust survivor Tova Friedman joined our delegation. To walk alongside a survivor of Auschwitz is a privilege beyond words and an unforgettable opportunity to bear witness through her living testimony.

To be in Poland on Yom HaShoah as part of the March of the Living is to understand our mission more deeply than ever before. Walking the same ground and standing in the spaces where our history unfolded deepens our understanding of why this work matters.

We stand in the presence of our loss and our legacy, and commit to carrying both forward.

We remember the six million.
We honor their lives.
May their memory be a blessing.
And may their lessons guide our future.

03/31/2026

As we gather together with our families this Passover and retell our ancient story of survival and hope, may this season inspire and renew our collective commitment to Holocaust education and remembrance.

Praying for peace and tranquility in Israel and around the world and wishing a meaningful and joyful Passover to all our friends and supporters.

Chag Kasher V'sameach!

03/30/2026

03/30/2026

ASHER Senior Emissary Adi Farkash from The Jewish Agency for Israel was honored to take part in the 2nd Annual Interfaith Shabbat Dinner hosted by Spread Cream Cheese Not Hate®️—an inspiring gathering that brought together diverse members of the community through shared experience and meaningful dialogue.

In partnership with Jewish Federation & Foundation of Northeast Florida, Oren Pery Shaliach, Beth El-The Beaches Synagogue and Christ Church of Ponte Vedra, the evening celebrated the beauty of Shabbat while highlighting powerful stories of the Righteous Among the Nations—individuals who chose courage and humanity in the face of unimaginable darkness.

Through storytelling and togetherness, we were reminded that even in the darkest moments of history, moral courage can light the way forward.

03/23/2026

Our The Jewish Agency for Israel Senior Emissary, Adi Farkash, guided participants through the remarkable courage and moral strength of Jewish women during the Holocaust. The voices that are too often overlooked, yet essential to how we understand this chapter of our history. Through stories that challenge, inspire, and endure, ASHER was honored to bring this powerful conversation to the Jacksonville community.

This was more than a lecture. It was a space for connection and meaningful dialogue. A reminder that even in the darkest moments, acts of bravery and humanity persist and must be remembered.

We were grateful to partner with the Jacksonville Jewish Center, Jjc Sisterhood , Hadassah , and Oren Pery Shaliach.

03/18/2026

During our recent visit to Jacksonville, ASHER's The Jewish Agency for Israel Senior Shlicha Adi Farkashfarkash.adi had the privilege of working with middle school students at .

Through an interactive, hands-on program, students explored the key events leading up to the Holocaust. Working collaboratively, they matched historical events with their descriptions, analyzed photographs, and built a chronological timeline—bringing history to life through inquiry, discussion, and critical thinking.

What stood out most was the depth of curiosity and insight these students brought to the experience. As they examined each moment in history, they also engaged in meaningful reflection on why learning about the past continues to matter today.

We are grateful for our partnership with Jewish Federation & Foundation of Northeast Florida and Oren Pery Shaliach, and to the students and educators at Gottlieb Day School for their commitment to thoughtful, engaged learning.

03/15/2026

ASHER emissary Adi Farkash, in conjunction with Oren Pery Shaliach and the Jewish Federation & Foundation of Northeast Florida, was honored to present a lecture on Images from the Warsaw Ghetto at River Garden Senior Services in Florida.

Even today, previously unknown photographs from the Warsaw Ghetto continue to be uncovered, allowing us to glimpse additional aspects of daily life there.

Together with residents and members of the community, participants examined more than 150 photographs alongside testimonies and historical context. Through these images, the program explored the individuals and moments captured within the Warsaw Ghetto, offering deeper insight into daily life during this tragic chapter of history.

We are grateful to River Garden for hosting this thoughtful gathering and for helping ensure that these stories continue to be studied, remembered, and shared.