Experiencing the Holocaust Museum
Don Hamer is on professional development leave until May 15. He is writing occasional posts to this blog to share some of his experiences.
On Saturday, Katie and I toured the United States Holocaust Museum -- something I have wanted to do for some time and on two previous visits Debbie and I were unable to get tickets.
The museum is a new building consisting of 4 floors of exhibits just off Independence Avenue on the National Mall. Truth to tell, as much as I wanted to experience the museum, I must confess some element of relief when we could not get tickets in previous times -- it really is the sort of experience one has to prepare for.
The exhibits are arranged chronologically by period and together provide a thorough and -- according to my historical memory -- a very accurate and dynamic weaving of all of the political, economic and social elements that led to the rise of Nazi Germany and its eventual defeat. Upon, entering the exhibit area, one receives a "passport" containing the biographical data and details on the life of a victim of the Holocaust. The tour then begins on the 4th floor with the events leading up to Adolph Hitler's rise to power, portrayed in photograph, video and narrative -- which are used together and very powerfully so throughout the museum. Witnessing the oratory and the passion -- and the fear -- that swept the Third Reich into power is chilling to realize that this actually happened -- and a chilling reminder of the power of demagogues to manipulate the minds and hearts of vulnerable masses of people.
The next part of the exhibit is "Final Solution" -- and follows the Nazis' systematic program to dehumanize anyone who was even tainted with "Jewish" blood in the name of protecting the state -- which included first gradual but rapid withdrawal of legal rights and then the rounding up and "resettlement"of Jewish people, either to ghettos where they were effectively imprisoned or to concentration camps Not surprisingly, this part of the exhibit provided the most gripping experiences: standing in one of the boxcars used to transport people to the concentration camps; listening to the voices of survivors as they described their personal experiences in the camps -- something I could not draw myself away from; a huge pile of discarded shoes -- taken from people who went to the gas chambers. It was as if the ghosts of their owners were calling to me. I wanted to bring Mr. Ahmadinijad there . . .
The exhibits conclude with The Aftermath -- the liberation of the camps and what the liberating soldiers saw when they arrived -- perhaps the most graphic footage of all -- and the Nuremberg Trials -- where Connecticut's own Thomas Dodd was a lead prosecutor before going to the United States Senate.
It was particularly meaningful experiencing the Holocaust Museum during the season of Lent -- a vivid reminder of the cruelty which was inflicted on our savior Jesus, and the unimaginable cruelty and violence which his followers have since engaged in or at least tolerated in His name. It was an experience I will carry with me when Debbie and I spend Passion Sunday and Holy Week in the Holy Land.
Have a blessed day! Your brother in Christ, Don+
On Saturday, Katie and I toured the United States Holocaust Museum -- something I have wanted to do for some time and on two previous visits Debbie and I were unable to get tickets.
The museum is a new building consisting of 4 floors of exhibits just off Independence Avenue on the National Mall. Truth to tell, as much as I wanted to experience the museum, I must confess some element of relief when we could not get tickets in previous times -- it really is the sort of experience one has to prepare for.
The exhibits are arranged chronologically by period and together provide a thorough and -- according to my historical memory -- a very accurate and dynamic weaving of all of the political, economic and social elements that led to the rise of Nazi Germany and its eventual defeat. Upon, entering the exhibit area, one receives a "passport" containing the biographical data and details on the life of a victim of the Holocaust. The tour then begins on the 4th floor with the events leading up to Adolph Hitler's rise to power, portrayed in photograph, video and narrative -- which are used together and very powerfully so throughout the museum. Witnessing the oratory and the passion -- and the fear -- that swept the Third Reich into power is chilling to realize that this actually happened -- and a chilling reminder of the power of demagogues to manipulate the minds and hearts of vulnerable masses of people.
The next part of the exhibit is "Final Solution" -- and follows the Nazis' systematic program to dehumanize anyone who was even tainted with "Jewish" blood in the name of protecting the state -- which included first gradual but rapid withdrawal of legal rights and then the rounding up and "resettlement"of Jewish people, either to ghettos where they were effectively imprisoned or to concentration camps Not surprisingly, this part of the exhibit provided the most gripping experiences: standing in one of the boxcars used to transport people to the concentration camps; listening to the voices of survivors as they described their personal experiences in the camps -- something I could not draw myself away from; a huge pile of discarded shoes -- taken from people who went to the gas chambers. It was as if the ghosts of their owners were calling to me. I wanted to bring Mr. Ahmadinijad there . . .
The exhibits conclude with The Aftermath -- the liberation of the camps and what the liberating soldiers saw when they arrived -- perhaps the most graphic footage of all -- and the Nuremberg Trials -- where Connecticut's own Thomas Dodd was a lead prosecutor before going to the United States Senate.
It was particularly meaningful experiencing the Holocaust Museum during the season of Lent -- a vivid reminder of the cruelty which was inflicted on our savior Jesus, and the unimaginable cruelty and violence which his followers have since engaged in or at least tolerated in His name. It was an experience I will carry with me when Debbie and I spend Passion Sunday and Holy Week in the Holy Land.
Have a blessed day! Your brother in Christ, Don+
posted by Don+ @ 3:01 AM
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