Collisions: Reflections on a Holocaust Pilgrimage

by | Sep 4, 2026 | Blog

Save the Date: Saturday, September 26 at 1:00 pm

Click here for event details

The word collision entered the English language in the early 15th century, stemming from the Late Latin word collisionem, meaning “a dashing together.” The original literal root of collision essentially translates to “hurting each other by striking together.” Over time, while the physical sense of the word, such as crashing vehicles or objects, has remained prominent, it also evolved to figuratively describe a clash of abstract concepts, such as a “collision of cultures or ideas.”

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Kyle and his travel group in the Village of Oświęcim, Poland.

On Saturday, September 26, you are invited to join Rev. Dr. Kyle Delhagen at Hamilton Union Presbyterian Church as he shares about his summer trip to Poland on a Holocaust study trip. This trip included visits to the memorial at Auschwitz-Birkenau, the memorial at the site of the death camp at Treblinka, as well as other opportunities for learning and remembering.

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The Memorial at Treblinka, Poland

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The Memorial at Treblinka, Poland

Kyle will share pictures and reflections of his trip in an attempt to embody the words of Elie Wiesel that “whoever listens to a witness becomes a witness,” words that transfer the moral duty of remembrance and truth-telling to those who listen.

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Warsaw Ghetto Uprising Memorial, POLIN Museum

In many ways, this trip was an experience of collisions: between truth and silence; the beauty of natural landscapes with the horror of events that took place there; the cruelty of perpetrators and the bravery of those who died.

Any questions about this event can be directed to Kyle via email: [email protected].

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About the author

Rev. Dr. Kyle Delhagen is serving at the Hamilton Union Presbyterian Church in Guilderland, NY and he lives in Niskayuna with his wife, Elena, their son, Atticus, two dogs, and a cat.
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