Natacha with the UJS delegation, as part of the UK delegation to March of the Living

When you go somewhere people always ask ‘how was it?’ And words can never express the intensity of what you’ve experienced. This is a trip too important to miss and my words can only carry so far. I went on March of the Living for the first time as a student; the following year I went as a member of UJS staff, and I would go again. I have to.

There are many trips that provide you with the opportunity to go to Poland and learn about the horrific atrocities of the Holocaust. It is also possible to go to Poland at any time in your life, so why go now? That’s what was stopping me going as a student - I had essays of however many words to write, I had exams to prepare for and could not afford to put myself through an emotional rollercoaster that I wasn’t sure I would adjust to, because it would be far too tough.

But, what is too tough? Learning the truth? Taking a moment not to ignore it? It is tough - but it is far tougher to ignore and to forget, to listen to people deny, revise or talk about the Holocaust in a blasé way.

After being accepted to attend March of the Living with the UK delegation, I immediately told friends and family with elation that I was going to Poland.

In December, a small group of students across all universities, years, disciplines and naturally, political opinions, were taken by the Union of Jewish Students on an intensive week-long trip, ‘Manhigut’, around Israel and the West Bank. 

Twice a year, the Union of Jewish Students takes university students on a trip called Manhigut – a week-long insight into the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

Jewish students’ experiences on campus seem to always be top of the agenda, whether that is because of an incident at an Israel Society event or because of allegations of anti-Semitism This paints a very disturbing image for those outside of that exclusive bubble.

This blog also appeared on Medium.

Earlier this year I was invited by the Union of Jewish Students to join the Holocaust Educational Trust on their “Lessons from Auschwitz” programme.

Twice in the last year, democracy has shown its unpredictability. Whatever your politics are, I think it’s safe to say that millions of people across the world were on the edge of their seats watching the recent American election, and the same can be said for the Brexit referendum.

This guest blog also appeared in the Jewish News.

When I first ran for election as National Women's Officer in April this year, I never anticipated that the political landscape would evolve into what it is today.

Roast beef and Yorkshire puddings. Fish and chips. Tea and crumpets. These three are all quintessentially British foods, yet the national dish of the UK is chicken tikka masala, which is a clear indication of the multicultural society in which we live.

This article first appeared in the Jewish News.

In the past week I’ve heard a lot about what it’s like to be a Jewish student.