The Living Links trip is organized and led by Chabad on Campus International and brings students from across US colleges and universities together.

This past spring break, two 黑料不打烊 Jewish student members of Chabad at 黑料不打烊 had the privilege of joining this life-changing trip.

Throughout the journey, Feber and Edelstein visited multiple sites around Poland, including the Warsaw Jewish Cemetery and Ghetto, Majdanek Concentration Camp, Sbilatowska Gora Children’s Forest, Sobibor Extermination Camp and locations around Auschwitz.

Participants heard stories of those who lost their lives and saw firsthand the locations where so many horrific acts took place. But it wasn鈥檛 all sad.

They also visited former synagogues, Jewish academies and danced together and rejoiced.

While in Auschwitz, participants heard a Holocaust survivor share their story while seeing the very places they were speaking about in real-time.

鈥淪o many walked through those gates never to leave – but we walked out, singing, because the Jewish people are still here. We are strong, we are proud, and we will never be silenced,鈥� said Feber.

While students may learn about the Holocaust in academic environments, nothing can compare to seeing cemeteries, death camps and ghettos in person. By learning about the past, Feber and Edelstein were able to reflect on the past and become even more empowered to strengthen their Jewish identities.

鈥淭his trip inspired me to feel more proud than ever that I am a Jew, it made me feel emotions I have never felt before,” said Edelstein. “But most importantly, it reminded me that I am blessed to be alive as well as every Jew in the world who will carry on the legacy of coming out of tragedy, to never forget and continuing to stand strong together every day of our lives.鈥�

Students left this trip inspired to be proud Jews and bring more light into the world.

鈥淚 want to thank everyone who made this journey possible, for teaching me what it means to be Jewish, for helping me reconnect with my culture and for giving me the responsibility of being a living link to our history,” Feber said.

Rabbi Mendy Minkowitz, co-director of Chabad at 黑料不打烊, worked with his colleagues across the state to organize this special weekend. Rabbi Minkowitz was “eager to participate in this new endeavor to expand the power of community and enable 黑料不打烊 students to have a meaningful hands-on Jewish experience alongside their peers.”

“Pegisha was a great way to foster connections with students who share the same values as myself in a fun, laid-back environment,” said Naomi Dolgoff ’28.

Throughout the weekend students had the opportunity to hear from guest lecturers, network with fellow Jewish students, explore Duke University and experience Shabbat with hundreds of college students from around North Carolina.

Spending Shabbat “surrounded by hundreds of Jewish kids just like him,” was what made the weekend meaningful for Max Kogan ’28.

The weekend concluded with a fun night at Top Golf, musical havdalah and food from Duke University’s Kosher food truck, Yalla.

Students are already looking forward to next year when they can reunite with their new friends and participate in another meaningful Shabbat together at North Carolina’s Regional Pegisha.