Tragedy Strikes Generations: From My Grandma to My Daughter - Unveiling Heartache and Loss in a Pogrom
The brutal reality of the ongoing Hamas atrocities in Israel has left countless families devastated, including that of esteemed writer and Brandeis professor S Ilan Troen, who tragically lost both his grandmother and daughter in a heart-wrenching pogrom
Editors Note: S. Ilan Troen, the Lopin Professor of Modern History emeritus at Israels Ben-Gurion University and the Stoll Family Professor of Israel Studies emeritus at Brandeis University, expresses his own opinions in this commentary. His upcoming book, "Israel/Palestine in World Religions; Whose Promised Land?," is set to be released in February. Read more opinion at CNN.
"Never again!" This was not supposed to happen again. However, it has and continues to occur. We are currently witnessing a real-time pogrom. We believed that the most extensive pogrom in history - the Holocaust - would be the end of the horrific acts of violence against Jews solely because of their Jewish identity. Unfortunately, that is not the case.
Ilan Troen
A pogrom is not simply the isolated act of an individual antisemite, but rather an officially sanctioned action by a government or similar authority. Throughout history, pogroms have evolved and escalated, starting with Eastern European antisemitism and progressing to Nazi racism which spread across Europe. Today, we witness the ongoing brutality of Hamas towards Jewish civilians, targeting them wherever they may be found.
The term "pogrom" was introduced to the English language during the late 19th century as a result of the Russian Czarist regime's endorsement and support of large-scale attacks against Jews. In Russian, "pogrom" translates to "to wreak havoc" or "to demolish violently." Shortly after the government-sponsored pogroms of 1881-1882, the term quickly spread to Yiddish and eventually made its way into other languages.
The following Hebrew inscription on this tombstone can be translated as, "Resting here is an esteemed and honorable woman, Mrs. Zissel Malcah, daughter of Yoel Halevy. She tragically lost her life at the hands of murderers on the 12th day of Second Adar 5678 (March 14, 1919). May her soul find eternal connection with the spirits of the living."
Courtesy: Ilan Troen.
The two years marked a significant turning point in the long history of the Jewish people. The pogroms served as a catalyst for large-scale migrations to Western Europe, across the Atlantic Ocean, and other parts of the world. This included returns to the Holy Land, whether referred to as Eretz Hakodesh, Palestine, or Israel. Jewish communities in North Africa and the Middle East also faced pillaging and riots throughout history, especially after the establishment of Israel in 1948, which led to the forced flight of many.
Hardly any Jewish families were spared from pogrom-style attacks and their devastating consequences. The majority of the American Jewish community are descendants of those who sought refuge across the Atlantic. My own personal story is tragically common. I am named after my grandmother who was killed in her village, Derazhne, near Rovno (now Rivne) in what was formerly Poland and is now Ukraine. Her death occurred during a period when 150,000 Jews were murdered. Ukrainian leader Symon Petliura's criminal bandits, driven by nationalist-religious fervor, targeted a peaceful agricultural village where they ruthlessly killed and violated Jews.
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Deborah and Shlomi Mathias, daughter and son-in-law of Ilan Troen, tragically lost their lives in their home at Kibbutz Holit, situated on the Gaza border. Their untimely deaths occurred during the initial moments of the Hamas pogrom on Saturday.
Ilan Troen's courtesy
My mother witnessed the brutal end of her own mother, yet managed to survive. The impact of that experience stayed with her throughout her life and shaped her unwavering dedication to caring for and safeguarding her own children. Tragically, it is now my daughter, Deborah Mathias, and her husband, Shlomi Mathias, who were ruthlessly murdered on a kibbutz near the Gaza border. They were staunch advocates of mutual understanding and peaceful coexistence. Their lives were taken in the presence of their son, who was fortunately protected by my daughter's selfless act of using her body as a shield. Although he is recuperating from the gunshot that pierced her and hit his abdomen, the lasting repercussions of this ordeal will persist and be passed on.
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This time, let the phrase "never again" truly resonate. There is a stark contrast between the past and the present. While my ancestors were defenseless, in Israel we have the means to protect ourselves and take action. We hold firm belief that the Jewish people will endure, as we are now one of the largest Jewish communities in our extensive history. We have overcome the trials of Czarist Russia and the Nazi regime, and we will continue to persist. Hamas and other antisemites may try, but they lack the influence to erase what was established on this land over 3,000 years ago. It is no wonder that in the Bible, we are referred to as a "stiff-necked" people by the Highest Authority.
