“When her people fell into enemy hands, there was no one to help her. The enemy laid hands on all her treasures; she saw pagan nations enter her sanctuary… I called to my allies but they betrayed me. …my skin and my flesh grow old and has broken my bones… broken my teeth with gravel… trampled me in the dust. …the children beg for bread, but no one gives it to them. Their skin has shriveled on their bones; it has become dry as a stick. …racked with hunger, they waste away for lack of food… there is none to free us from their hands. Our skin is as hot as an oven… Joy is gone from our hearts; our dancing has turned to mourning. Our end was near, our days were numbered, for our end had come.” Excerpts from Lamentations
“If those days had not been cut short, no one would survive…” Matthew 24:22
The Truth of the Holocaust
Throughout history the Jewish people have been subjected to persecution, antagonism and anti-Semitism from all other cultures. Today, anti-Semitism is on the rise worldwide – but to date, the ultimate atrocity against them was the Holocaust, or Shoah in Hebrew, during WWII. Over six million Jews were deliberately and systematically murdered using torturous methods beyond human comprehension.
Those who survived and are still living, after witnessing the destruction of their families, homes, businesses and cities, suffer from PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder) even today – more than 70 years later. A large number of these Survivors moved to Israel.
Loneliness, survivor guilt, memories trapped in the past and still suffering night terrors – these are the people to whom we desire to bring honor, love and hope. Just a hint of history, just a glimpse, is all we can give here. There is so much to tell, we have no adequate words. Learn of the inhumanity of mankind and stand in awe of the struggle for human dignity during the time referred to as the Holocaust and you will be amazed also at the tenacity for life of humankind.
Given the brief memory of man, let us all remind one another of these atrocities and consequences that took place within our lifetime. For the preservation of our souls, let us not forget their lives and our loss. For the future of all people, let us remember the Holocaust Survivors still living, still struggling, with their daily memories…