Testimony of the Trees

Lupochowa Forest, Poland

Seven Minutes Outside Tikocyn

This was the final destination of the marching Jews of Tikocyn. As we walked down the forest path, I felt a shiver go up my spine. The cold wind rustled the Israeli flag I was wearing as a cape. The trees seemed to be whispering to me, "Go back! There is only death for your people ahead. We have witnessed as much."  When we arrived at the clearing, we were given a testimony given during the Eichmann Trials to read. Each of us sat against our own tree and read the horrifying fate of these Jews. Until now we had been under the impression that Tikocyn had been a thriving city. The sounds of our shattering naivety echoed throughout the forest. Then we approached the mass grave. Suddenly, Ada's voice bounced off the trees as she read an emotional eulogy to her great-grandparents. On the walk back I once again felt an overwhelming sense of sadness, as so many never had the chance to make the return trip. I reached for my friend's hand and the feeling of another living person next to me helped guide me out of the forest and away from the death that still lingered in the trees. 

March to the Clearing

Lupochowa Mass Grave