Goal–orientation and self–actualization are sometimes linked. The aim in achieving self– actualization and/or a desired goal in life meant that the individual achieved fulfillment. For H.Ss in particular, life gained significance because the achievement itself became the basis of existence. By using these factors as tools to advance them toward their goals, they were able to win in the game of life. These are the same people that defined them- selves as persistent and will powered. They constructed long term goals for themselves, as mentioned in the interviews: These were immigration to Israel, financial and social success, raising a family, acquiring an academic title, serving in the army and studies. Miriam and Roza (sisters): “Our first life goal was to leave Hungary... We felt that we
realized our dream and actualized ourselves because finally we could live according to our ideals here in Israel. It was all we needed...”
The motivation for some Survivors to immigrate to Israel was due to fear of a new Holo- caust.
“I wanted to come only to Israel, because I feared that the Holocaust might occur again. When I arrived, I felt that I had self–actualized my dream completely…”
Other than immediate goals, Survivors also had long term goals, such as immigrating to Israel and building the State.
Yonit “I always thought that it was good to come to Israel, to build the country and have
a new family here, this was my goal…”
Folie: “My main goal was to reach my homeland...”
Yoram: “My parents came to Israel following my Zionist beliefs. This is how I actualized
my secret dream...”
129
Arie: “I was motivated by meaningful things, like becoming a judge and then writing my
history, which took me seven years. When I had finished writing, I felt that I had self– actualized myself, and then I had to look for a new goal.”
Part of the new long term goals were designed to cause them to forget the pain of the past. The mere forgetting contributed to their self fulfillment. At the same time, Folie said that they never "forgot" and for that reason he taught the subject and even researched it.
"I have never forgotten the Holocaust…Not at all. I was a teacher for 30 years and dis- cretely made my students aware of the Holocaust. You cannot escape the past, in my opinion…I also work now on research…"
Aviho also did not forget, but he made an effort to overcome the pain.
Aviho: “…I worked hard in order to ease the pain. This was one of my goals. I did this
because it helped me a little to forget to a certain degree and I felt that I had self– actualized myself..."
Yonit, on the other hand, claims that she dedicated herself to her work in order to forget, in order to be able to cope with long term goals, raising a family and taking good care of them.
Yonit says: " I met many people. I worked a lot and did not have time to think about the
past, and that was good. I focused on building my home and providing a good life for my family. I lived the moment…"
Shraga and Arie consider the need to study as a long term goal in order to achieve finan- cial and social security.
Shraga: "I wanted to be in a Jewish organized setting…I thought that I must study, and
started to make plans, in order to evolve and achieve something…to achieve financial security and personal and social setting…but first of all, for me, as I had no one to lean on. In this case, I had two options, to live by myself or to not live at all…"
For others, military service was a long term goal which could help them achieve self- fulfillment. Yoram sees military service as a means of social integration that was ex- tremely important for him.
130
Yoram: “I went into the army in order to be like a best native Israeli. For me, this was a
self–actualizing action. I was more than happy by this action…”
Yonit wished to return to the quality of life she had before the war, and although she was aware of the difficulties, she set quality of life as her goal.
Yonit: “I wanted the good life that I had once. This was not easy, but it was my goal” Aviho's goal was to act and be active, to not be depressed, and to strive for a normal life. Aviho: "I acted in an opposite way [to the way I was feeling], by acting and doing, I
mean, and not sitting being sad. I knew there is a lot to do in order to return to a normal life …"
The goal of some was to raise new families instead of the family that they had lost in the Holocaust.
Miriam and Roza:"… now we had new goals: to build families, to get married and have
children. … having a family is the best proof we could provide for ourselves in order to feel strong and well..."
My reflections also show similar attitudes to this subject:"…I was oriented toward self–
actualization from a very early age. Naturally, I was not aware of it until much later. I recall that at the ages of 11–12 I became more self–conscious about this state and this feeling deepened over the years as I acquired more values and needs. As an adult, I had many dreams which I felt compelled to actualize. My first priority was to study. My sec- ond priority was being Israeli. These goals meant the world to me.”
Out of the categories addressing the meaning of life, I observe that some of them feel that they indeed succeeded in achieving self-fulfillment, that they achieved their desire to live in Israel, that they renewed their studies despite of all their difficulties, that they succeed- ed in providing for their families and at the same time contributed to the society in which they lived. They accomplished all of this through their roles as Member of Parliament, journalist in a respectable newspaper, court judge, and an author that documented her ex- perience in the Holocaust.
Roza and Miriam (sisters): “Our first motivation and goal for life was to leave Hungary.
Our secret was the force of desire as our motivation for not giving up. We felt that we achieved our dreams and actualized ourselves, because finally we could live according to our ideals here in Israel. That was all we needed.”
131
Yoram: “...I wanted to come only to Israel…. When I arrived, I felt that I had self–
actualized my dream completely.”
Yonit: “I always thought that it was good to come to Israel, to build the country, and
have a new family here. This was my goal”.