Today we visited Yad V’Shem, Israel’s Holocaust museum. Established in 1953,Yad V’Shem is the world center for documentation, research, education and commemoration of the Holocaust. This is an experience I cannot put to words, it does not seem right to summarize the thoughts and feelings of the entire group when I am just one individual participant. I will share one instance so powerful, that I am sure I will always remember it. One of our group members had a grandparent who was saved by being included on Schindler’s list. The tour guide tried to find his family name so that we may locate his relative. Since we were pressed for time she was forced to move the tour ahead without finding the name. Nearly everyone in our group stayed behind until the name was found. Yad V’Shem answers some of the more daunting questions about the Holocaust, but leaves one wondering how acts of genocide could still be going on in our world today. Tikkun Olam teaches us that we need to repair the word in our everyday actions.
Following Yad V’Shem, we had the chance to go to Ha-Kotel to say Kaddish. It really is something special to have the chance to say Kaddish for those we’ve lost and those who have nobody to say Kaddish for them at the Western Wall. It seemed as though our prayers went straight to God.
Thankfully we went to the Western Wall, because we were spiritually prepared for the craziness that is Mahane Yehudah. This major shuk, or open-air market, was the perfect place for us to go and prepare for Shabbat. Each of us was put in charge of gathering various things for the oneg that evening. It was an experience that none of us will soon forget. Let’s just say that if Israel is a Jewish State first, it’s a Bargaining State second. We could only have experienced it there. It was like Chinatown, but with Hebrew spoken all over the place.
We wanted to end with a poem to bring it full-circle. Yad V’Shem and our trip in Israel so far has taught us how amazing this country is. Without it, we wouldn’t know where Jews around the world will have a safe haven such as they do here.
In Germany they first came for the Communists,
and I didn’t speak up because I wasn’t a Communist.
Then they came for the Jews,
and I didn’t speak up because I wasn’t a Jew.
Then they came for the trade unionists,
and I didn’t speak up because I wasn’t a trade unionist.
Then they came for the Catholics,
and I didn’t speak up because I was a Protestant.
Then they came for me —
and by that time no one was left to speak up.
Martin Niemoller, German Protestant Pastor, 1892-1984
I encourage everyone to check out the museums website for more information.
Lhitraot. Jerusalem Today, Shabbat Tomorrow.
