Landing in Frankfurt airport on Saturday 30th August 2025, I truly had no idea what to expect for the coming few days. My father, Milton Lasnitzki, was a key part of the organising committee for the event but is more of a “co-founder” of something much bigger. The reunion event was a catalyst not only for family connections, but also for renewed education of what happened to Jewish people in Germany, a space for the local people of Sontra to show their own emotions and most importantly to strengthen the resistance to the atrocities of the Holocaust ever happening again.
 

In the lead up to the event, my dad and Brian Luber had very clearly communicated the logistics of the event; what would happen on which dates, which family members were due to attend, who were our key stakeholders in Sontra, what my specific involvement could be, and so on. Realistically, the information only became palpable once we were in Sontra on the 31st August, where we could get a feel for the town, its people and the impact that our visit would have on others.  
 

It is this point that perhaps had the greatest impact on me personally and therefore forms the basis of this reflection. Looking back, I probably had an underlying expectation that 19 Jews rolling into a tiny German town with their own agenda would be burdensome for its residents. However, not only was that expectation incorrect, but the reality was quite the opposite. 
 

The generosity of our hosts became clear very quickly and was a stark divergence from the backdrop of cruelty, discrimination and inhumanity that ultimately brought us there. Ludger, Hans and Leah all played an exceptional role in ensuring that the descendants of the Heilbrunn and Rothschild families got the most out of the trip. Their efforts ensured that we all came away from each part of the itinerary with a richer understanding of what formed our legacy.  

 

Their efforts also ensured that the Sontra community were given an opportunity to increase their own awareness of how their town was impacted by the actions of the Nazis. For example, as part of the ceremony where the stolpersteine were laid at the Heilbrunn house, a local choir sung a sombre song and were backed by the melody of a brass band. During this song, I caught sight of a man, around 70 years old, wearing a yellow raincoat and standing next to his wife. In the midst of the choir’s recital, this man who was unknown to all of us, was wiping real, deep tears from his eyes. We never found out who he was, or why he was so moved by the ceremony, however this is one of the core memories that will stay with me.
 

The participation of the local school children was also a wonderful part of our experience. They were present at the ceremonies and assisted in telling the stories of our ancestors, laying flowers as a tribute to their lives and contribution to Sontra. During our visit to the Adam von Trott school, I was once again surprised by the level of engagement of the local community. The time with the high school-aged children gave us the opportunity to communicate our own stories and how our family has been shaped by the events of the past. 

 

One final experience worth reflecting on is the “Grillhutte” dinner hosted by Leah and her family. Placed at the top of a hill in Wichmannshausen, in a prime spot to enjoy the natural beauty of the town, we sat at picnic tables and enjoyed a traditional German barbecue. Some of the folks that we had met during the prior days came along as well and we were able to connect with them in a less-formal setting. Leah’s parents, grandparents, broader family and even her best friend all worked to provide for us, with amazing food and memories. Their contribution to our reunion left us full of gratitude, however this was clearly reciprocated and our impact on the entire Sontra community was well-recognised. 

 

My naivety coming into these few days turned out to be a blessing. I had envisioned that my trip to Sontra would be primarily in support of my father, however I came away from these few days with a clear understanding that in the pursuit of “Never Again”, we are not alone; the spirit of the Sontra community is with us.