Three day weekends are precious. For hardworking college students, they provide a much needed mental break and are a promise of extra rest. That's what makes it so remarkable that eight CNU Hillel students chose to spend their long weekend in January traveling to Washington, D.C. to visit the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum.

A common thread emerged among the group: for most, their Holocaust education in school had been lacking. What they knew, they had largely learned from their families or synagogues.

This is the truth for so many of us. We relegate the Holocaust to the confines of history - studying it as an artifact, some relic of an archaic past, far removed from us. Many learn about Nazi Germany with a sense of detachment, separated by words in a textbook; imagining a society of evil, other people, unlike us entirely... thinking, ‘that could never happen here.’ Completely unaware that it was only a few generations ago; that we are the last generations that will hear survivors speak their experience from their own lips.

Taking their education into their own hands this group of eight students, half of which were freshmen, organized a weekend trip to visit the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum. Students spent all afternoon at the museum, allowing each to take in the museum at their own pace. Afterwards, the group celebrated this experience together with a delicious Israeli/Middle Eastern dinner.

The next day, the group returned to the city, this time looking ahead to the future. Both a historical society and gallery space, the Capital Jewish Museum focuses on the history of Jewish life in Washington D.C. and the surrounding area. It contains artifacts from the first Jews in the capital, relics of pop-culture and iconic photos from Jewish involvement through the decades. Even the building is a large piece of Jewish material culture, incorporating the historic Adas Israel Synagogue that was built in 1876, restored to historic finishes.

It was here that the students were able to put the previous day into a larger context. Holocaust history will always be their history, but not the entire story. At a time when students are just starting to figure out their life plans, it was here at the museum that they were able to see that they can be Jewish and any career they can dream of. Along the walls, and in interactive elements, their story was also told as a people that have been at the forefront of historical movements, social justice and achievements that have always served the greater good.

One exhibit featured cubes printed with adjectives, inviting visitors to reflect on how they see themselves—or who they hope to become. The students had fun posing with the words that spoke to them.

As the weekend came to a close, the students sent messages reflecting on what this experience meant to them:

“I could not be more grateful for everyone’s participation in this truly incredible experience. I want everyone to reflect on what we saw, the pure unbridled hatred but also the warm tender love we found in each other, today, why we express our Jewish joy and what it means to you. I love you all and hope you had a very meaningful experience in Hillel this weekend and the days to come, we are one mischpacha [family].”

“I want to thank all of you amazing freshmen for coming out and making this dream a reality. You are what makes Hillel special and the best org on campus. It was an incredible honor to have the opportunity to spend time with all of you and get to know you. I appreciate your willingness to walk through one of the most impactful museums ever and talk to us about it.”

“Myself, and I’m sure the rest of the board can agree, that this trip was one of the best experiences of our college careers and it will give us support to let this semester be the best Hillel has ever had.”

While this trip was only a weekend, one of those precious three-day ones, the impact it had on this group of students will last a lifetime.