Jack Levine  of 4Generations Institute

As Important a Place as I've Ever Experienced

My family recently visited the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum in Washington, D.C.

It was as powerful a four-hours as I've experienced in my lifetime.

While I thought I knew about the history of the Nazi regime in Germany and their reign of terror through the 1933 - 1945 period, the museum's presentation of the facts was truly compelling.

{sidebar id=1}The intricacies of Adolph Hitler's design for conquest and destruction, and the awful series of events which led to the systematic murder of some 10 million Jews, Jehovah's Witnesses, Gypsy Romas, other "ethnic and religious deviants" and so-called "congenital inferiors" (e.g. mentally/physically handicapped people of all ages, homosexuals, and others deemed unworthy of survival) was so clearly presented for all to understand.  It is gripping and strikes a deep chord in people's psyche and emotions.

The museum visitors made our way through the numerous exhibit halls in solemn silence, reading, listening, watching archival film clips, and capturing our own glimpse of a chapter of history that must never be ignored or forgotten.

It is simply unbelievable that there is anyone, anywhere, who would deny the reality of the Holocaust.  Given the weight of evidence, the eye-witness accounts of survivors, and the observation of the American, British and Russian armed forces whose liberation of the death camps opened so many eyes to the horror which was wrought upon innocent humanity, denial is neither acceptable nor sane.

My friend Henri Landwirth, a Holocaust survivor and philanthropist, once told me, "Jack, I wish it wasn't true.  I so wish it didn't happen.  I sometimes dream that I'm once again a boy in my parent's house, safe and happy... and none of the torture or near-death pain inflicted on me ever happened.  But then I wake up, and must admit to myself and tell others... yes, it did, and the fact that both me and my twin sister Margot lived to tell about it is a vital part of why I live to this day."

Now at age 82, Henri's good works and powerful voice of witness continue... and so must others tell their children and grandchildren, and all others who will listen, that inhumanity and hate is a reality, and must be prevented.

At this link http://www.4gen.org/IT_SEEMS_IMPOSSIBLE.html you will find a photo montage telling the story of Allied Commander Dwight D. Eisenhower's response to the reality of the Holocaust.  The slide show is viewed by clicking "enter or forward" through the several pages.  Trust me, it's worth the wait.

For more information about the Holocaust Memorial Museum, please visit:  http://www.ushmm.org . 

If you ever have the opportunity to visit the Museum, I strongly recommend you do so.  But please be prepared to have one of the most moving and motivating experiences of your lifetime. 

As our families and friends gather to enjoy the coming holiday season, please take a moment to rededicate yourself to the ideals of justice, human compassion, and the pursuit of world-wide peace, as difficult as these are to achieve.  I know you agree that for our children and grandchildren, it's worth the effort.

My best,

Jack

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Jack Levine, Founder
4Generations Institute
850.567.5252
Jack@4Gen.org (note new e-mail)
http://www.4Gen.org
P.O. Box 10875
Tallahassee, FL 32302

This article originally published on December 8, 2008.

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mkwestmark

 

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