#weremember

Auschwitz & Krakow 2025

Welcome

to the documentation page about the Auschwitz project trip as part of Holocaust Education at the Geschwister-Scholl-Schule Bensheim.

This website was created on the occasion of an interschool memorial trip that gave both Israeli and German students the opportunity to engage intensively with the history of National Socialism, the Holocaust, and its consequences.

During the trip, we visited various memorial sites, took part in guided tours, met a contemporary witness, collected our own impressions, and visited the former concentration camp "Auschwitz-Birkenau".

The content, texts, images, and personal reflections presented here document our experiences and are intended to encourage reflection.

Our goal is to keep the memory alive, make history tangible, and promote awareness of responsibility, human rights, and civil courage in the present — in the spirit of our namesakes Sophie and Hans Scholl and their resistance against injustice and persecution.

Preparatory Meeting

The wait was over; the time had finally come. After our first setback at the end of 2024 — the political situation unfortunately made it impossible for us to welcome our long-awaited Israeli guests in Germany — the start of the journey was now only a few days away.

We were looking forward to the unique opportunity to travel to Kraków together with Israeli students as part of “Holocaust Education 2025” and to spend a week with them there. On-site, special events were planned, such as the visits to the main camp "Auschwitz I" and the extermination camp "Auschwitz II-Birkenau".

To make all of this a reality, we met on Friday, March 7th, 2025, for a preparatory meeting in the forum of the Geschwister-Scholl-Schule (GSS). A two-part program was planned: first, program block 1 "Never Asked - Never Told", in which journalist Mr. Riebsamen and Ms. Luckenbach from the Hessian Center for Civic Education (HLZ) presented the book of the same name, and then program block 2, which focused on the remaining content-related and organizational matters.

As the forum gradually filled and everyone had already sneaked a glance at the tables full of food, it finally began. After a welcome by Mr. Stricker (principal), Mr. Trier (head of Department II), and Ms. Kiermeier (director of HLZ), we started with the first program block.

For this, Rafael Herlich, photographer and chronicler of Jewish life, FAZ editor Hans Riebsamen, Majer Szanckower, administrator of Jewish cemeteries in Frankfurt, and Ms. Luckenbach from HLZ, who moderated the reading, had all made the journey to be with us. They were there to talk to us students from Q2 and E2 about the book “Never Asked - Never Told” published by Hans Riebsamen and Rafael Herlich.

The book presents stories of various Holocaust survivors, each portrayed with a photograph by Rafael Herlich and a text by Hans Riebsamen. Afterwards, we were able to ask questions to the people portrayed who were present (Rafael Herlich and Majer Szanckower) and watched a compilation of impressions from the previous Auschwitz trip.

In these conversations, we spoke extensively and intensely about topics such as building bridges to Jewish students, combating antisemitism, and especially about the silence of Holocaust survivors or their family members. Particularly impactful were sentences like:

"We lived out of packed suitcases" (Majer Szanckower),

which was questioned moments later with the line

"Are the suitcases really unpacked, or do we need to pack them again?"

It became clear how crucial a role education plays in this topic. There must be enlightenment, and above all, there must be encounters — and that is precisely the reason we gathered in the forum:

We do not want to just read about history, hear about it, or see it in books — no, we want to experience it up close and connect with the great-grandchildren of those victims who were oppressed, even murdered, by our great-grandfathers in order to better understand this tragic history. With the insights gained from this, we want to influence many more people so that something so horrific can never happen again.

It was exactly these aspects — and how we could implement our plans in the coming week — that we focused on during the second program block of our preparatory meeting.

Freshly strengthened by delicacies from the GSS cafeteria and after the first conversations among us, some still unfamiliar students, as well as with Mr. Bethe, who came specially from Cologne along with his son and Ms. Cass, another representative of the strongly supportive Bethe Foundation, we finally got down to business.

But just as we had regrouped and the travel itinerary was presented to us — highlights included the planned visits to “Auschwitz I” and “Auschwitz II-Birkenau”, a talk with a contemporary witness, and celebrating the Jewish Shabbat — fate had other plans for us.

A loud shout from the left:

"Mr. Trier, Mr. Borchert, all flights from Frankfurt Airport on Monday have been canceled."

Of course, ver.di had to go on strike right when we were about to embark on possibly the most significant journey of our lives. The recently gained calm was gone in an instant. Our flight was canceled? What now? Not even a minute later — after a brief fact-check by our teachers — Mr. Trier was already behind the stage with two phones in hand, figuring out how we would proceed.

To soothe us — well, it was more of a kind attempt — we received our long-awaited goodie bags, filled with interesting literature about Auschwitz and antisemitism, our flight tickets, and the now questionable schedule for the coming week. In the course of the meeting, our organizational questions were clarified, and final travel details were announced — such as the accompaniment of a Mossad agent for the safety of the Israeli students.

But the attentive reader may now ask:

"So how did you get to Poland?"

Well, that was also an open question for us at that moment. There was hope for a flight on Sunday evening, alternatively on Tuesday morning, or even talk of traveling by bus...

Amid all the chaos, there was one person — previously unmentioned — observing our actions: Alexander Jürgs, FAZ editor for the Rhein-Main region. If he wasn't already seeking short conversations with us during free minutes or lunch breaks, he was there from the beginning, preparing with us for the trip and quietly, diligently documenting the meeting. Thanks to the Bethe Foundation, we had the honor of being accompanied by a journalist for the entire trip, which meant that it could be documented in the form of an article in the FAZ and presented to an even larger audience — making this unique project known across Germany.

Day 1

After a long 14-hour bus ride, we finally reached our destination: Kraków. Originally, a flight had been planned, but due to a last-minute strike announced by the trade union ver.di, it had to be cancelled. Our teachers then organized a bus trip at the last minute — a challenge that was nonetheless mastered smoothly.

During the journey, the mood was initially cheerful, but the closer we got to Kraków, the more noticeable a certain nervousness became. Excitement about meeting the Israeli group and the upcoming days was mixed with a subtle tension. After all, no one really knew what to expect.

Upon arriving at the hotel, we were warmly welcomed. Despite one small loss — a music speaker was left behind during the ride — we were happy about the pleasantly spacious rooms. We quickly settled in and were eager to finally explore the city and get to known the Israelis.

Shortly after our arrival, we met the Israeli group in the common room. The first conversations started quickly. Names, hobbies, and initial common interests were exchanged. Despite the short time, the meeting felt very familiar, and the first connections were made.

However, there wasn't much time, as our first joint activity was already scheduled for the afternoon: a city tour through Kraków. In two mixed groups, we set off through the old town, past historical buildings, old synagogues, and impressive castles. Even though the content of the tour was exciting, many of us mainly used the opportunity to get to know each other better. There was a lot of laughter and talking, laying the foundation for a growing community.

After the city tour, we took part in a workshop at the Galicia Jewish Museum, which was meant to prepare us for the coming days. It focused on the lives of Jewish people in Poland — before, during, and after the Holocaust. The tour through the exhibition was very impressive: the pictures and personal stories made the topic tangible and at the same time deeply moving. In small groups, we worked on individual biographies, discussed our impressions, and developed a deeper understanding of the extent of the events. This part of the day also contributed to our development as a group and brought our shared examination of history into the foreground.

The evening was all about meeting and togetherness. We went to a restaurant together, where we sat at long group tables, tried Jewish specialties, and celebrated our newly formed friendships. The atmosphere was warm, open, and joyful — a wonderful ending to a day full of events.

After dinner, we took a short walk through Kraków at night and rounded off the day with a few rounds of Uno at the hostel. There was laughter, play, and conversation. The first day was a complete success and made us look forward to what was yet to come.

Day 2

The journey felt so carefree. We laughed together, exchanged thoughts with the Israelis about each other's cultures, and had a lot of fun — without any idea of what lay ahead. But the moment we walked through the entrance of the main camp, Auschwitz I, with the names of the victims being read aloud — those who had died in Auschwitz — it became clear that this place would hit us deeply on an emotional level.

The impressions in "Auschwitz I" were difficult to process. The red brick buildings etched themselves into our memory. Especially the barracks with photos of victims, the massive quantities of hair, shoes, and suitcases — they all revealed the sheer scale of dehumanization. Seeing the tiny children's shoes and the plaques with the stories of murdered children left many of us speechless. What hit us hardest was the realization that these people had families, dreams, and hopes — all of which were stolen from them. The number of murdered children and the cruel medical experiments they were subjected to left us in shock and filled us with rage.

Again and again we asked ourselves:

How could people do this to other people? How could this systematic mass murder take place — planned, cold-blooded, and often even met with indifference?

One especially powerful moment was when we stood arm in arm with the Israelis under the Israeli flag. In that moment, we felt connected — as descendants of both the perpetrators and the victims, remembering our horrific shared history together and standing united for a better future.

The personal conversations with the Israelis were also deeply moving. One of them said that this joint act of remembrance was, for him, a step toward healing. This encounter showed us how important it is not only to remember but to learn and grow together.

Although some tried to maintain emotional distance, there were moments when that simply wasn't possible — especially as we walked the streets where so much blood had once been spilled. We felt chills, but also shame — not only for the crimes of the past, but because it took so long for such an exchange to even happen.

But in the end, we are all grateful for this experience. Grateful for the encounters, the conversations, the shared moments of remembrance, and for the hope that together we can build a future in which something like this will never happen again.

Day 3

After a somewhat shorter night, our third day began. Fueled by coffee and fresh pastries from the bakery across the street, we gathered in front of our hostel. The mood was good, and everyone was curious to see what the day would bring.

Shortly afterward, once the last stragglers had arrived, we set off for the bus stop, and in no time we were all seated together on the bus. We chatted, deepened friendships, learned from each other, and played cards.

After about an hour's drive through the rural Polish countryside, we reached our destination: Auschwitz-Birkenau. The weather — foggy and rainy — seemed eerily appropriate for what awaited us inside the extermination camp. Unfortunately, this also meant we couldn't walk the symbolic 3 km route from “Auschwitz I” to “Auschwitz II-Birkenau” as originally planned — in homage to the harsh realities from over 80 years ago — but had to take the bus instead.

Nonetheless, we eagerly awaited the moment we would walk the final meters from the parking lot to the infamous gate of the Birkenau extermination camp, already familiar to us from the internet and school.

Upon arrival, our group was split again as the day before. Both subgroups then set off on a roughly three-hour guided tour.

First, we were led to the right, through the former sleeping barracks and latrines of the men, directly confronting us with the cruel living conditions of the time.

We then followed a narrow, almost tunnel-like path to the ramp — the infamous train platform. There, we received more detailed information about the transports and the selection process that occurred upon arrival. To our right stretched a nearly ungraspable field of foundations and chimneys — remnants of the former wooden men's sleeping and kitchen barracks.

Next, we were shown the brick-built sleeping quarters for women and girls on the left-hand side. Again, we heard about the inhumane conditions and daily life these prisoners endured.

Then, suddenly, we stood before the ruins of gas chambers and crematoria II and III. Here, we learned about their construction and the horrific procedures that took place inside. We were closer than ever before to witnessing the atrocities of our ancestors. Nearby, we also saw memorial plaques in many different languages honoring the murdered victims and took a few quiet moments for ourselves. It was especially here — from a slightly elevated spot — that the full scale of the site became clear. Even from that height, we couldn't see the entire area.

We then continued past the sewage facilities to the bath/disinfection complex, cynically called the “Sauna”, and across from it, the so-called "Kanada" warehouse. Despite its friendly-sounding name, it was the storage site for confiscated belongings of the inmates. Particularly striking were the sheer number of building foundations, a glass case displaying recovered personal items, and the rose-covered lid — deeply impactful visuals.

Next came Crematorium V, where we learned about the SS officers' attempts to flee the Allies and the destruction of the cremation ovens. The already heavy and emotionally charged atmosphere became even more intense as our guide recounted stories of personal acquaintances who had lived through those very horrors.

We lingered longer at Crematorium VI. Its deceptively peaceful location near a small wooded area was especially disturbing. The meadow in front of it, equally innocent in appearance, had once been the site of open-air burnings of human corpses.

Afterward, we made our way back to the entrance gate of the camp, where some of the Israeli students posed for photos with their national flags. Along that walk — and throughout the entire site — we exchanged thoughts and emotions stirred up by the harrowing sights. The images of students wearing the Israeli flag draped over their shoulders also left a deep impression. Auschwitz was the only place outside of Israel where they could do so without fearing for their safety.

Once everyone had reassembled, we walked back to the bus — reflecting on whether it was truly necessary to have a kebab and snack stand just 200 meters away from the camp gate, clearly visible. One thing was certain for all of us: there must be more shared educational trips like this in the future. First ideas for possible joint projects between schools in Bensheim were already being discussed.

After a brief scare when our bus refused to start for ten minutes — making us think we'd be stuck there — we finally made our way back to Kraków, complete with a few power naps and without further incident.

Everyone took a bit of time for themselves — but not for long, because our time together was limited. So we freshened up and most of us headed out on a nighttime adventure.

First, we walked a bit outside the city to a mall, where, of course, we lost track of each other and ended up spending more time looking for friends than actually shopping. After all that stress, we regrouped in the city center and fueled up with more or less traditional Polish street food before continuing on a relaxed evening stroll. Whether listening to music, balancing on railings, or testing the nerves of the local Żabka cashier, we had an unforgettable time together.

Finally, we returned to the hostel, where we played, danced, and talked about the day — or anything else the universe threw at us — until everyone eventually, if a bit delayed, fell into bed.

Day 4

The fourth day began in a calm and pleasant atmosphere. In the morning, we had free time, which we spent together. During the long breakfast we shared with our Israeli partners, there was a sense of familiarity. In just a few days, a group of individual teenagers had become two tightly connected communities. The initial shyness was long gone — we spoke openly, laughed a lot, and enjoyed being together.

Afterwards, many of us headed out into the city. In beautiful weather, we strolled through the bustling streets of Kraków, admired the architecture, sampled local delicacies, and got to know the city better on our own. These informal hours were just as valuable as the official program: they gave us the chance to deepen our relationships, discover common ground, and discuss cultural differences — all without pressure or expectations.

In the early afternoon, we took part in an incredibly moving conversation with a Holocaust survivor. We met Lidia Maksymowicz, a survivor of the Auschwitz concentration camp, who was willing to share her story with us. Her accounts from her childhood in the camp were hard to comprehend. One particularly chilling moment was when she showed us her tattooed prisoner number — a symbol of a past that must never be forgotten. Her stories about the infamous death doctor Mengele gave us all goosebumps, and we couldn't stop asking ourselves how such a young child could survive such atrocities.

One sentence she said during the talk haunted many of us:

"After we were liberated, we played selection on the street — for us, that was normal."

These words cut deep. They show how horror had seeped into the imagination of children, how the unthinkable had become everyday life. The conversation with Ms. Maksymowicz was not only informative but deeply human. It was a silent call to all of us to take responsibility, not to forget history, and to actively stand up for humanity.

In the evening, we gathered to celebrate Shabbat together — another meaningful highlight of our exchange. At the Galicia Jewish Museum, we were greeted by a festive buffet with a wide variety of delicious foods. The mood was joyful and warm. We made music together, sang, danced, and laughed a lot. The celebration was a wonderful opportunity not only to learn about Jewish culture but to experience it firsthand.

An unexpected highlight was the sudden snowfall. The first flakes sparked pure excitement. Many of us rushed outside, took pictures, or simply danced in the snow. These little, spontaneous moments made the evening truly magical. The mix of music, games, dancing, and joy allowed us to forget the world for a brief moment.

Back at the hostel, the day came to a quiet end. In small groups, we played Uno, listened to music, and talked about what we had experienced. Many spoke about the survivor conversation, others reflected on the overall exchange. Once again, it became clear: from a group of young people from two countries, a true community had formed — shaped by mutual respect, openness, and curiosity.

Day 5

For many of us, day five started with sleeping in — we had celebrated Shabbat late into the night. Since our teachers hadn't planned any major activities for this day, we took matters into our own hands and organized our own schedule.

Half of the German-Israeli group headed to a shopping center to do some final souvenir hunting. The others continued to explore the city. One of the groups spontaneously embarked on a church tour, visiting numerous churches around Kraków and discovering some hidden gems along the way.

Since the weather on this day was among the worst of the trip, most of us eventually found something to eat and then returned to the hostel. Once back, we played various games and reflected on the experiences of the past days.

At 5 p.m., the German students gathered for a short debrief and reflection on the past week. A lot of thoughts and ideas were shared — and it was during this meeting that the idea for this very website was born.

After the talk, someone suggested spending the final evening all together. So, about 50 of us roamed through the streets of Kraków. Our destination: a traditional Polish dinner.

We quickly found the perfect spot — classic for Kraków — the food trucks. There, we devoured zapiekanka and pierogi. After dinner, we walked along the Vistula River for a night stroll. There was laughter, dancing, and pure goofiness. We had races, and some of us even tried traditional Polish dancing (with... mixed results).

Back at the hostel, we all gathered one last time in the common room — sleep was not on the agenda. We played Uno and Mau-Mau, and music echoed in all languages: German, English, and Hebrew.

The moment ABBA started playing, no one could stay seated. We belted out “Major Tom” at full volume and danced like there was no tomorrow. No one wanted the night to end, because deep down, everyone knew: this was our last evening together.

The first tears began to flow, as the next day loomed ever closer. We danced with joy and with tears in our eyes — because saying goodbye was just around the corner, and the question of whether we would ever meet again became harder to ignore.

Day 6

The last day of our trip was also something truly special — a mix of melancholy, gratitude, and intense emotions.

Early in the morning, we met one final time for breakfast together. Although packing and our departure were already looming, we tried to enjoy our last hours in Kraków — and with the Israelis — as much as possible.

Before heading to the airport, we took the time to say goodbye to each and every person personally. A lot of heartfelt words were exchanged. We shared how beautiful, intense, and enriching this journey had been for us, and how deeply we had come to appreciate one another. Again and again, the hope was voiced that we would one day meet again.

The farewell itself was incredibly hard, and there was hardly a dry eye in the room. No one wanted to truly accept that the journey was really over. It was a whirlwind of emotions: hugs, final words, more hugs — an endless goodbye that showed just how much we had grown together in such a short time.

Some of us took a final walk through Kraków with the Israelis.

Shortly before departure, we stocked up on snacks at the shop under the hostel for the long journey home.

The return flight went smoothly. We had a layover in Warsaw, and luckily we were all seated together again. Many used the time on the plane to sleep and begin to process this intense and emotional experience.

Once we arrived in Frankfurt, we gathered one last time for a group photo by the baggage claim and said our goodbyes to Alexander Jürgs (FAZ) and Karin Cass, who had accompanied us as a representative of the Bethe Foundation.

The feeling of deep connection still lives on in us to this day.

Final impressions from students

“An incredibly intense, emotional, and educational trip. It will always stay with me and has had a profound impact on me. Hopefully others after me will also have the chance to experience something this wonderful.”
- Lotte

“A very moving experience that everyone should have at least once. It's a pity that the German school system includes so few hands-on experiences. All the more grateful I am to have been able to take part in this journey.”
- Till

“At first I was skeptical whether this project trip would really be worth it, but on the very first day I realized: it absolutely was. The experiences I had were priceless and unlike anything else.”
- Lenni

“This trip opened up so many new perspectives for me. Suddenly, there weren't just facts — there were family stories. That touched me deeply, and I'm incredibly grateful I was able to experience it.”
- Anna

“This journey was a unique experience that brought the Holocaust lessons we learned in school to a much deeper level. Standing at the sites of these atrocities together with the Israeli students was deeply moving. It showed me how important it is to remember and to take responsibility. And it made me realize: it doesn't matter where someone was born — we're all human beings.”
- Jonas

“This journey will stay with me forever. I learned so much about the dark past of my country. At the same time, I was able to build new friendships — especially with the Israeli participants. I'll never forget how they supported me emotionally in Auschwitz. It moved me deeply to feel that they didn't see me as 'the evil German'. To be able to take part in this journey with them was a great honor. It changed me and showed me how important it is to actively oppose extremism — so that something like this can never happen again.”
- Flo

FAZ-Article

Throughout our entire journey, we were accompanied by the Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung (FAZ), which documented our experiences and impressions in a detailed article. We especially want to thank journalist Alexander Jürgs, who stayed with us from start to finish. Mr. Jürgs conducted many deep and open conversations with us as well as with the Israeli participants — both during the official program and in quieter moments.

We are deeply grateful to Alexander Jürgs for his committed presence, his open ear, and his professional work, which helped preserve and honor this special journey. His article is not only a precious memory for us but also a powerful voice highlighting the importance and impact of this extraordinary encounter.

Acknowledgement

On behalf of all participants of this year's project trip to Kraków and Auschwitz as part of our school's Holocaust Education program, we want to express our heartfelt thanks to everyone who made this special project possible, supported it, and accompanied us along the way.

Special thanks go to the teachers Stefan Trier, Gerhild Hoppe-Renner, and Patrick Borchert from Geschwister-Scholl-Schule Bensheim. With incredible commitment and organizational talent, they planned and supervised the entire trip. Even unforeseen challenges — such as the cancelled outbound flight — were handled professionally. Their tireless efforts made this unforgettable journey possible for all of us.

We also thank the many supporting institutions whose generous financial help enabled this project in the first place.

Our special thanks go to:

Thanks to this support, students were able to gather unique experiences that go far beyond the classroom and will remain in memory for a long time.

A big thank you also goes to Karin Cass from the Bethe Foundation, who accompanied and supported us throughout the entire trip, and to Alexander Jürgs from FAZ, who recorded and documented our impressions journalistically.

Our deepest gratitude goes to Lidia Maksymowicz, the Holocaust survivor we met in Kraków. Her willingness to share her powerful life story touched us deeply and will stay with us always.

Thank you to everyone who helped make this extraordinary project a success!

Donation appeal

Your support matters!

During our Auschwitz project trip as part of Holocaust Education at the Geschwister-Scholl-Schule Bensheim, we met two Israeli students — Viktor and Dima. They came to Israel without their families and are now — in the transitional phase between graduating school and entering military service — without a permanent place to stay.

In Israel, buses are being converted into mobile housing units to support young people in such situations. We want to actively support this initiative — out of friendship, solidarity, and a shared sense of responsibility.

We have already raised 1,250 euros, but we still need around 6,000 euros.

A dedicated team of about ten students who participated in the trip is working hard on further fundraising efforts. The donations are collected by the Friends of the Geschwister-Scholl-Schule Association and will be forwarded to Israel in the summer.

Please consider donating — every contribution helps!

A donation receipt can be issued upon request.

Thank you for your support in the spirit of humanity and active responsibility!

#weremember