Marina, My Inspiration

By Beth Ida Stern

As Jews, we all unfortunately have some experience with anti-Semitism. In seventh grade at Haven Middle School in Evanston, Illinois, when we were studying World War II, some of my peers used to ask me, "Was it hot on the train?" It took me a while to figure out of what "train" they were speaking: the train to Auschwitz. It was horrifying, and this happened in a liberal college town in the late 1970s.

In listening to former Soviet Refusenik, Marina Furman, being interviewed on a recent Jewish National Fund-USA (JNF-USA) IsraelCast podcast episode, I realized that the anti-Semitism I'd experienced (which stays with me to this day, 40 years later) was almost inconsequential compared to the systemized anti-Semitism that Marina experienced growing up in Ukraine. Her family's story, as told to IsraelCast host, Steven Shalowitz, was wrenching. To be outcast, ostracized, and denied opportunities merely because they were Jewish was excruciating to witness, even anecdotally. Vicious middle school students are awful, but an entire community full of hate? Impossible.

Yet Marina not only survived, she thrived. Her story motivates so many of us. Her resilience in converting such a negative experience into one of impact and inspiration on our family in Israel is as magnificent as it is inspirational. Listening to Marina tell her story, I relived my own anti-Semitism story again, but then was reminded of my own impact at JNF-USA.

According to the ADL, the number of anti-Semitic incidents in the country reached a record high last year. In these trying times, it is critical that we remember our resilience, celebrate our history, and take inspiration from refuseniks like Marina. We need to stay vigilant in our protection of our Jewish family in the US, in Israel, and around the world. Listening to Marina on IsraelCast, my resolve is stronger than ever, as is my commitment to keeping our homeland safe, strong, and sustainable.

Never again is now.

Beth Ida Stern is Jewish National Fund-USA’s Chicago Director of Major Gifts. For more information about JNF-USA, contact Beth at bstern@jnf.org or call 847.656.8880 x761.