They say that history is a collection of dates and cold facts, but for those of us who carry the weight of the past in our DNA, history is a living, breathing pulse. This week, during the March of the Living 2026 in Krakow, that pulse became a deafening roar.
Standing in the shadow of our people’s greatest tragedy, I sat to listen to the testimony of Hana Yakin. As a journalist, I am trained to look for the “story.” But as Hana began to speak about her father, Jan van Hulst, the journalist in me fell silent, and the grandson in me began to tremble.
A Recognition Beyond Words
Hana spoke of her father’s clandestine work in the Dutch underground—of forged documents and the calculated bravery required to look evil in the eye and say, “Not this one.” As the details unfolded, I realized these weren’t just historical anecdotes; they were the blueprints of my own existence.
Jan van Hulst was the man who saved my grandfather.
In that moment, the vast scale of the Holocaust collapsed into a single, intimate point of light. I realized that the very breath in my lungs and the life I lead were made possible by the quiet heroism of a man who chose to risk everything for a stranger.
A Global Responsibility: Voice of the People
This revelation carries a weight that transcends my own family tree. Today, I am proud to serve as a Council member for “Voice of the People,” a unique global initiative created by President Isaac Herzog. The Council was established to change the world by fostering Jewish unity and addressing the most pressing challenges facing our global community.
My encounter with Hana Yakin emphasizes exactly why such a Council is vital. It reminds us that our stories are inextricably linked. Whether we are in Israel, the Netherlands, or the Diaspora, we are part of a singular, living fabric. The courage of a Dutch underground fighter decades ago is what allows me to sit on a Council today, working to secure a better future for the next generation.
Building from the Shadows
This connection is even more poignant given the shadows of our current reality. Having personally witnessed the horror of the Manchester terror attack and still reeling from the devastating murder of my beloved cousin, Eli Shlanger z”l, in the Bondi attack, I know that the world remains a fragile place.
The Voice of the People Council is our answer to that fragility. It is our way of saying that we will not merely react to tragedy; we will proactively build.
A Message from the Past
I feel as though this encounter was a direct message from my grandfather. In a world often fractured by hate, the story of Jan van Hulst serves as a reminder that the actions of one “Righteous Among the Nations” can echo through generations.
Jan van Hulst forged documents to save a life; today, through my work as a journalist and my role in the President’s Council, I use my voice to honor that life. We are the living legacy of an invisible thread of kindness that spanned from a hidden room in Amsterdam to the stones of Krakow, and finally, to the mission of changing the world for the better.
We are here. We remember. And together, we build.
