Atid Neve Nahum students participated in a student exchange delegation in Germany as part of the “Renewed Memory” project–  an educational initiative aimed at preserving the memory of the Holocaust in a creative and advanced way. As part of the project, students meet Holocaust survivors, document their testimonies, and share their personal stories with the public by creating short films, which are then published on social media. These films provide a bridge for the younger generation to connect to the past in a way that speaks their language, ensuring that the memory remains alive and accessible over time. 

During the delegation in Germany, the students met German youth, presented the films they had created, toured various cities, and learned about the local history. This experience not only allowed them to share the Holocaust story with the younger generation in Germany but also connected them to their culture, roots, and Jewish identity in ways they hadn’t expected. 

Omer Feinstein, a student on the delegation, wrote about his experience: 

“When I arrived in Germany as part of the student exchange delegation, I realized this was much more than just a trip abroad,  it was an opportunity to meet new people, experience a different culture, connect with my Jewish roots, and, most importantly, learn more about myself. 

There were 12 of us on the trip, students from different grades, but we all shared one thing in common: we were all part of the ‘Renewed Memory’ project– a project where we, the students, create films based on Holocaust survivor testimonies and share them with teenagers through social media. 

We began our journey in the twin city of Be’er Ya’akov – Bad Oldesloe. There, we met German teenagers our age, showed them the films we created, and toured the city together. We also visited Lübeck and Hamburg, learning about local history, the old town, and even played bowling and golf. The collaboration between us created warm connections that, surprisingly, felt completely natural – as though we had known each other for years. 

But the most powerful moments came in Berlin. On Friday evening, we were invited to a Chabad house. There, far from home, in a foreign city, we found a deep connection to our Jewish identity. Lighting the candles, singing in Hebrew, and sharing a meal together– I suddenly felt a sense of belonging that I had never experienced before. It was a moment where I realized just how strong my Jewish identity is, especially now. 

The visit to Platform 17 was one of the emotional highlights of the delegation. We stood as Israeli teenagers and conducted a moving ceremony in memory of the victims. We lit a candle and stood for a minute of silence. It was a moment of connection, pain, but also hope – that from that very place, we could build a different future. 

This trip not only connected me with German students and Israeli students, but it also connected me to myself. To my identity as an Israeli, to my Jewishness, and to our history as a people. I returned with lifelong friends and a new perspective on what it means to be an Israeli teenager in the world and the responsibility we have to continue remembering.”