"Rejoicing for what was; commemorating what is no longer."
STAFF
Rabbi David Abrahamovitz
Director
Rabbi David Abrahamovitz was born in Toronto, Canada, and has been living in Israel since 2004. For over a decade, he has been teaching Bible Studies and Jewish Law in Jerusalem.
David studied Jewish History throughout his life and all four of his grandparents were Holocaust survivors. Nonetheless, only after his first visit to Poland did he begin to comprehend the enormity of Polish Jewish History and the Holocaust.
He intensively studied Polish Jewry and the Holocaust and then began leading Poland tours for groups from all over the world. Since 2007, he has led countless successful Poland tours. His trips are educational and meaningful. His guiding is informative and always enthused with passion.
When not guiding for “The World That Was”, Rav David can often be found furthering his research. David lives with his wife Aliza, and their children, in Ramat Beit Shemesh.
Aliza Abrahamovitz
Assistant Director
Aliza Abrahamovitz, a native of Toronto, Canada, earned a B.A. in Religious Studies and a Bachelor of Education from York University. In 2004, she made Aliyah to Israel, where she completed a Master’s degree in Jewish Studies, majoring in Bible Studies.
Aliza is a natural educator, with a keen understanding of pedagogy. She recognizes the sensitivity and significance of Holocaust education, and her insights produce a sound and enriching experience.
Aliza lives with her husband, David, and their children, in Ramat Beit Shemesh.
Sam Weisberg (OBM)
Holocaust Survivor Consultant
Sam Weisberg (1927-2019) was born in Silesia, Poland, and spent the majority of his teenage years in Plaszow and several other concentration camps. He was liberated from Bergen-Belsen in April 1945. His ability to speak numerous languages fluently (including German) is the main reason why he was able to survive the Holocaust.
Left an orphan at the tender age of 17, Sam made it a priority in his life to educate people of the horrendous living conditions the Jews endured in Eastern Europe during the 1930’s and 1940’s. An expert in the field, he has given countless lectures to schools and synagogues throughout Toronto, Canada. Sam's story, Carry the Torch, was published in December 2018 by the Azreili Foundation as part of the Azrieli Series of Holocaust Survivor Memoirs.
Sam served as a Historic Consultant for “The World That Was” until his death in January 2019. Many past participants "met" Sam Weisberg as he often joined our tours to Poland via Skype, where he recalled his heartbreaking, yet remarkable story.