First some facts, then some thoughts.
Vad Vashem is Israel's official memorial to the victims of the Holocaust. It is dedicated to preserving the memory of the dead, honoring Jews who fought against the Nazi's and the Gentiles who aided the Jews. In addition, its research is not only focusing on the 6 million Jews who were murdered during the Holocaust but also genocide in general with the aim of avoiding such events in the future.
We spent most of our time in the main Museum. Jonathan gave us an hour and a half to go through it, we needed three and a half hours. It consists of a long corridor with ten underground hallways. We had a personal audio guide to take us through, Whether you know a little or a lot about the Holocaust, I would recommend you spend some time at the Vad Vashem's website. It is vast and very informative.
We also toured the Children's Memorial. The Holocaust took 1.5 million children to their graves. This is an underground space where through mirrors, four flickering candles are reflected to surround you with an 'infinite' number of lights. While you are slowly winding through the pitch-darkness, the children's names, ages, and hometowns are heard. The immeasurable number of lights that surround you is almost overwhelming. Recognizing that each light represents a child......it is truly life-changing.
After clearing our hearts and heads, we went to Mt. Herzl, Israel's Arlington National Cemetary. We walked by the graves of the leadership of Israel since its founding but spent most of our time at the graves of two soldiers. The first, Michael Levin. He was a Jewish American, who immigrated to Israel and joined the IDF, Israel Defense Force, (the name for their Army). He was killed on August 1, 2006 during the 2nd Lebanon War.
In Jewish families, you bury your dead either the day of death or the following day. However, because Michael's family was in the US, this was impossible. Word of this was heard throughout Jerusalem and at Michael's service, 10,000 people attended because his family was not able to appear. As a result of this, Lone Soldier Center was established to meet the needs of IDF soldiers who do not have family in Israel.
By chance, a huge group of military and friends were at his grave commemorating his death 12 years ago. As we watched the ceremony, one man broke away and came up to our group. He was a friend of Michael's and spent about 10 minutes telling us about Michael and his friendship. Overwhelming for him to share this and for us to listen.
The next grave we visited was a 19-year-old soldier, Li Mat, who was killed in the Gaza Strip just 4 years ago. He entered a booby-trapped house. He and two other paratroopers were killed. We stopped by his grave only because his mother was attending to it and Jonathan asked a few questions of her. We quickly realized that she was preparing for the yearly memorial at his gravesite. This explained the many seats around.
He asked her to speak to us concerning her son. Jonathan interpreted her comments, no translation was needed for her grief. His gravesite was decorated with his surfboard, his guitar and many items from his life, medals, etc. What was missing was his headstone, (they call this the 'pillow'). Without asking, she told us that the State of Israel would not provide a headstone because she had asked them to include Li's brother's name along with her's and her husband's. ("Just six letters") The State refused and no headstone was provided. Her deep anger at her country was palatable not providing this valuable part of her son's legacy because of bureaucracy.
I leave you with this poem by Martin Niemoller, a prominent pastor and outspoken public foe of Adolf Hitler who survived seven years in a Nazi concentration camp.
First, they came for the Socialists, and I did not speak out,
Because I was not a Socialist.
Then they came for the Trade Unionists, and I did not speak out,
because I was not a Trade Unionist.
Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out,
because I was not a Jew.
Then they came for me, and there was no one left to speak for me.
Shalom, world, Shalom.......
Vad Vashem is Israel's official memorial to the victims of the Holocaust. It is dedicated to preserving the memory of the dead, honoring Jews who fought against the Nazi's and the Gentiles who aided the Jews. In addition, its research is not only focusing on the 6 million Jews who were murdered during the Holocaust but also genocide in general with the aim of avoiding such events in the future.
We spent most of our time in the main Museum. Jonathan gave us an hour and a half to go through it, we needed three and a half hours. It consists of a long corridor with ten underground hallways. We had a personal audio guide to take us through, Whether you know a little or a lot about the Holocaust, I would recommend you spend some time at the Vad Vashem's website. It is vast and very informative.
We also toured the Children's Memorial. The Holocaust took 1.5 million children to their graves. This is an underground space where through mirrors, four flickering candles are reflected to surround you with an 'infinite' number of lights. While you are slowly winding through the pitch-darkness, the children's names, ages, and hometowns are heard. The immeasurable number of lights that surround you is almost overwhelming. Recognizing that each light represents a child......it is truly life-changing.
After clearing our hearts and heads, we went to Mt. Herzl, Israel's Arlington National Cemetary. We walked by the graves of the leadership of Israel since its founding but spent most of our time at the graves of two soldiers. The first, Michael Levin. He was a Jewish American, who immigrated to Israel and joined the IDF, Israel Defense Force, (the name for their Army). He was killed on August 1, 2006 during the 2nd Lebanon War.
In Jewish families, you bury your dead either the day of death or the following day. However, because Michael's family was in the US, this was impossible. Word of this was heard throughout Jerusalem and at Michael's service, 10,000 people attended because his family was not able to appear. As a result of this, Lone Soldier Center was established to meet the needs of IDF soldiers who do not have family in Israel.
By chance, a huge group of military and friends were at his grave commemorating his death 12 years ago. As we watched the ceremony, one man broke away and came up to our group. He was a friend of Michael's and spent about 10 minutes telling us about Michael and his friendship. Overwhelming for him to share this and for us to listen.
He asked her to speak to us concerning her son. Jonathan interpreted her comments, no translation was needed for her grief. His gravesite was decorated with his surfboard, his guitar and many items from his life, medals, etc. What was missing was his headstone, (they call this the 'pillow'). Without asking, she told us that the State of Israel would not provide a headstone because she had asked them to include Li's brother's name along with her's and her husband's. ("Just six letters") The State refused and no headstone was provided. Her deep anger at her country was palatable not providing this valuable part of her son's legacy because of bureaucracy.
I leave you with this poem by Martin Niemoller, a prominent pastor and outspoken public foe of Adolf Hitler who survived seven years in a Nazi concentration camp.
First, they came for the Socialists, and I did not speak out,
Because I was not a Socialist.
Then they came for the Trade Unionists, and I did not speak out,
because I was not a Trade Unionist.
Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out,
because I was not a Jew.
Then they came for me, and there was no one left to speak for me.
Shalom, world, Shalom.......
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