Despite everything that happened to them, they still had Hatikva (The Hope)

This came to me via email from my cousin Gerald and my sister Marla. And now it comes to you. Make sure you have a tissue by your side.


Scott Simon of NPR reports on a rare recording of "Hatikva " from almost 62 years ago. If this doesn't give you goosebumps I don't know what will.

It was recorded by a British reporter on April 20, 1945 in Bergen-Belsen when the British army liberated the few thousand survivors in the concentration camp, half of which were Jewish, most of them at the extremes of their strength. It was recently discovered and apparently was loaned to NPR by the Smithsonian Institute.

The British priest organized prayers for Kabbalat Shabbat for the Jews. It was the first time after six years of war and after more than 10 years of persecution. With a lot of effort the Jews organized themselves and, knowing they were recorded, sang " Hatikva".

As you can hear they sang the original version as it was written by Naftali Imber.

Picturing them in the midst of the concentration camp singing afterall they had been through renders this a very moving scenario.



Put Your Speakers On.



http://genealogy.org.il/BergenBelsenHatikva.mp3