In solidarity with Israel

Last month, at a "St. Louis stands with Israel" rally, nearly 1,000 of my people stood singing, praying and shouting in support of the Jewish state in its hour of danger. As a Holocaust survivor, the words "never again" caused tears to flow.

The day before the rally, I received a compensation check from the German government. As a child survivor of the first Jewish ghetto in Poland and two death camps, I was being

"compensated" -- as if that ever could happen -- for the murder of my mother when I was 5 years old, the murder of more than 100 of my relatives and the slave labor that my family members had been forced to perform. This check, painful as it was, was important because of my limited income.

Yet my heart was so deeply moved at the rally that I realized how meaningful it would be for me to give this check to Israel, this money that was intended as partial compensation for the tremendous crimes perpetrated by the Nazis against me, my family and my people would now be used to preserve and protect Israel, the wonderful refuge for the Jewish people. What could be more appropriate?

The wonderful, strong spirit at the rally, which I will remember the rest of my days, will add a ray of light to my horrible memories of the Holocaust.

Sara Moses | University City

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