When Dov Forman from London was 16 years old, COVID-19 broke out and changed the world. He stopped meeting with his great-grandmother, Lily Ebert Z” L, as often as he used to, and she could no longer meet with students to share her heroic survival story from the Holocaust.
Dov took the initiative and decided to use social media. “It began with a recognition of the growing gap in Holocaust education as survivors age and pass on, especially as antisemitism remains prevalent across the world. I wanted to ensure that my great-grandmother’s story would not only endure but resonate deeply with modern audiences. The process involved translating Lily’s powerful testimony into formats that are engaging and accessible.”
Thanks to Dov’s dedication to telling the truth about what really happened and combating Holocaust denial, over a billion social media users have been exposed to her story – many of whom may never have heard it otherwise, or any other firsthand survivor testimony. Dov co-authored “Lily’s Promise,” a memoir that includes an introduction by King Charles III. It became an instant New York Times bestseller and has been translated into 15 languages.
He is also the recipient of the prestigious Points of Light Award, presented by then-Prime Minister Boris Johnson. “But my proudest moments were simply standing alongside Lily as she shared her story – on stage, on television, in schools, and on social media. It was a huge honor for me,” said Dov.
Lily recently passed away at the age of 100, having traveled the world with Dov to share her harrowing Holocaust testimony. Through their work, Dov and Lily created a lasting impact, ensuring her story continues to educate and inspire.
Dov is on the Masa Changemakers list—18 exceptional young men and women, carefully selected from around the globe from Masa’s 200,000 alumni for their extraordinary accomplishments and contributions to the Jewish world and Israel. The Changemakers list highlights the inspiring impact of Masa alumni worldwide, showcasing their noteworthy achievements and the positive change they bring to their communities and beyond.
Among those on the list is Eitan Bergman, the Executive Director of the European Union of Jewish Students and the Secretary General of the Coordinating Committee of Belgian Jewish Organizations, which represents Belgium’s Jewish community to the government, EU institutions, Israeli authorities, and international Jewish organizations. He is also a member of the WJC Diplomatic Corps and the City Council of Forest, a district of Brussels—all before age 30. “I dedicate my career to Jewish issues,” says Eitan.
Eitan is also passionate about preserving the memory of the Holocaust in Europe: “As part of my bar mitzvah, I was associated with a boy from my hometown who did not survive the Shoah. His name was Jules Nemeth. I agreed to ‘share’ my bar mitzvah with him so he could symbolically have his.
“I never met Jules, but since that day, he has never left me. In Europe, there is a project called Stolpersteine – urban memorials placed in front of the last known addresses of Holocaust victims. I decided to install a stone in the sidewalk for Jules and his family – six stones in total.
Each stone costs a few hundred euros, so I turned it into a participatory project. I created a film asking for donations, involved local schools and authorities, and within a month, we raised the necessary funds. In 2017, I gathered local officials, the head of the Belgian Senate, students, and members of Jules’s family, and together, we inaugurated the memorial in front of the Nemeth family home.”
Eitan participated in a Masa program, Kibbutz Ulpan: “Masa was not only the driving force behind this incredible year that shaped me, but also an organization that supported me along the way.”
Dov, who studied at Yeshivat Hakotel with Masa, said: “Spending a year in Israel was transformative for me. I left with a deeper sense of pride in my identity and a stronger connection to the global Jewish community.”
Both Eitan and Dov returned to their home countries after their Masa programs, and like many other Masa alumni, they are now serving as leaders in their communities. “I am unsure of the exact professional path I will take,” says Dov, “but I know I will continue to use my voice and platform to stand for what matters. I will remain dedicated to preserving the truth of the Holocaust and ensuring its lessons are not forgotten. I will stand up for the Jewish people, challenge antisemitism, and advocate for Israel.”
The list of Changemakers showcases just a few examples of leaders in their respective fields who have taken their time in Israel to the next level. To read the full list, visit https://www.masaisrael.org/go/masas-change-makers/.
This article was written in cooperation with Masa.