ASHER

06/16/2026

ASHER was honored to partner with the Jewish Federation of Sarasota-Manatee for two meaningful programs featuring Dr. Michael Berenbaum.

Through his presentation on the true story behind Nuremberg, attendees explored the complex questions of justice, accountability, and human behavior that emerged in the aftermath of the Holocaust. Dr. Berenbaum's unique perspective as a historical advisor to the film brought these stories to life in a powerful and thought-provoking way.

We were also privileged to join Jewish Family & Children's Services in recognizing Holocaust Survivor Day, honoring the resilience and strength of their local survivor community.

Thank you to our partners The Jewish Agency for Israel and The Jewish Federation of Sarasota-Manatee for their commitment to Holocaust education and remembrance. Together, we continue to ensure that these stories are remembered, studied, and shared with future generations.

06/10/2026

Some journeys don’t end when the trip is over.

Recently, participants from ASHER’s 2026 Mission to Poland gathered at the home of fellow travelers for an evening of learning and connection. Joined by Holocaust survivor Tova Friedman, they heard from ASHER Chief Educational Consultant Dr. Michael Berenbaum, who shared a powerful presentation on “The Death and Rebirth of Jewish Life in Poland.” Together, Dr. Berenbaum’s scholarship and Tova’s testimony inspired meaningful discussion about why these stories must continue to be told.

When we walked the steps of our shared Jewish history in Poland, we built bonds rooted in remembrance and purpose. That experience has continued to connect us long after returning home. Through ongoing learning and meaningful relationships, we not only preserve our history, we help shape the next chapter of the Jewish story.

Thank you to Vera and Michael for opening your home and helping us continue this journey together.

06/02/2026

One of the most impactful moments of our mission was witnessing thousands of people from around the world marching together in remembrance.

With every step, we honored those who are no longer with us and reaffirmed our commitment to carry their stories forward. Walking the path of unimaginable loss, we saw resilience and hope.

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