Children of the War

This inter-generational project trains a cadre of Russian-speaking teens and young adults to conduct in-home video interviews with Russian-speaking Holocaust survivors and WWII veterans in their community. Operating for the last five years in various cities in Israel’s south, where Russian-speakers make up 20%-50% of the local population, over 90 stories have been saved. Beyond this, we have made these stories accessible to the non-Russian speaking population through translation of the products (stories, film clips, posters) to Hebrew and English, in addition to Russian. The project’s goals, however, extend far beyond documentation. The older Russian-speaking population has had difficulty integrating into Israeli society, which in turn makes it difficult for them to develop strong bonds with their Israeli-raised children and grandchildren. Both the interview process and the materials produced from them affirm, both for Russian-speaking youth and the broader society, the value of, and the values of, this older generation of Russian-speakers. The project thereby promotes integration of Russian-speakers and strengthens inter-generational bonds. Their stories become part of the collective Jewish-Israeli story, deepening the connection younger Russian-speakers feel both to Israel and to their Jewish identities. Additionally, the inspiring stories illustrate the many faces of Jewish heroism during the Holocaust, and provide a unique perspective on this dark period: not victims, but heroes. Time is working against us - those who were children during World War II today are aged 80 and 90. We must hurry to preserve their memory for future generations. Help Atid Bamidbar continue to document the stories of youthful heroes who walk among us today - but might not be with us tomorrow...