While taking a walk in Teaneck, NJ during a visit with her mom, little did Parksville resident Hope Blecher know that would be the beginning of a project in Livingston Manor. 

While walking from one town into another and along a busy road, she noticed a circular patch of daffodils starting to bloom. She saw a sign and kept walking. Then, she backtracked, read it and stopped for a few minutes.

Why? She had come upon a daffodil garden planted as part of The Worldwide Daffodil Project.  The mission of this global project is “to build a worldwide Living Holocaust Memorial by planting 1.5 million Daffodils in memory of the children who perished in the Holocaust and in support for children suffering in humanitarian crises in the world today.” 

Upon returning to Sullivan County, Hope reached out to Judy Siegel, president of Congregation Agudas Achim (CAA). After a short chat and further conversations with the leadership team, the decision was made to participate. This led to the engagement of Tobi Innerfield, the Director of Education for CAA and then working out the details. 

There are two ceremonies taking place as part of this project, one in September 2022 and the second during Spring 2023. The tilling occurred on the sunny day of September 10, 2022. The community members participated in the planting of 250 Narcissus Dutch Master daffodils from Holland during a few rain showers on September 11, 2022. 

That date was chosen as the one to symbolically connect remembrance with resilience and rebirth. During opening remarks by Hope, a commemorative statement from Tobi, and then a sharing by Steve Innerfield, participants came full circle to Judy planting the first bulb. 

According to Tobi, “As we add memories, we add history….it is crucial that we are all active participants in the maintenance of our collective memory….Since part of who we are is where we have been, we need to remember, and when we ritualize these memories through acts or action, they stay with us.”

Steven Innerfield shared something that brought tears to some, hugs, and choked throats. He taught about his experience on 9/11 and that of Scott. Out of iron from one of the twisted remains of the Twin Towers, some iron workers crafted crosses to mark the caskets of the fallen. When Scott requested a Star of David and subsequently drew one in the dust, the workers created it. That star is what Steven shared with the participants while gathered on the front lawn. That artifact, that memento, was available for people to see and to touch. 

As president Judy Siegel planted the first bulb in its earthen hole, she had these words to share. 

“Agudas Achim is a small and intimate congregation in Livingston Manor that continues to reach individuals throughout the region,” she said. “It is heartwarming to be part of a community that works together like this, today. It is inspiring that events like this bring together new community members and those who have lived in Livingston Manor for nearly 70 years. Now every spring we will have a flood of beautiful yellow to remind us of the children lost and inspire us to continue creating and growing.”

Thanks go to the Innerfields for their tiller, to Don Simkin for helping to till and move the sod, and to Judy for photos and recordings. Thank you to Ray Croney for carrying the bags of mulch and soil. Thank you to the congregants of Agudas Achim, and community members representing Holocaust survivors, Liberty Rotary, Parksville, Livingston Manor, Liberty and other towns in Sullivan County. Those gathered reflect the unity in community. 

As the rain began to come, that didn’t dampen the spirit of those engaged in conversations about the Spring 2023 event and signage for the property. Looking ahead to the Spring 2022 ceremony, the participants look forward to standing near the yellow daffodils blooming in Livingston Manor, in the shadow of the congregation’s historic marker. At that time, there will be a presentation, the music of local musician, Sarah Weber, along with remarks from invited guests.