Yom HaShoah
The Holocaust killed 6 million Jews, of which 1.2 million were children. It is, as all of us know, the worst tragedy of the Jewish people in modern history, the worst atrocity of the industrial age, and an utterly horrible thing to think about. The day of remembrance for those who died is a national memorial day called Yom HaShoah. It is always on the 27th day of the Hebrew month of Nisan.
Today is the 27th day of Nisan, and Yom Hashoah is commemorated in Israel in a way that only Israel can. Since the Jewish day starts at sundown, not sunrise, shops and services close the night before. All government agencies shut down, and a special siren is sounded at 10 AM the following morning. Something unbelievable happens at the moment that the siren sounds across the hills of Jerusalem; something that I have never seen or heard of in any other culture. When the siren sounds at 10 AM, the entire city stops for the duration of its wail, as if the siren itself were the screams of the 6 million who died. EVERYTHING STOPS! People stop where they are walking, conversations end, traffic no longer moves, and people get out of their cars and stand, with heads bowed, in silent tribute. No one talks, as if unwilling to break the sound of those who had died.
The wailing siren last for 2 minutes, but in a way it seems to echo for eternity. In that time I can see everyone around me on the busy street of Keren Heyesod stop and reflect on the tragedy that changed the world. In a way, these 6 million men, women, and children died so that their descendents could stand where they are, right then. Had there been no Holocaust, it is unlikely that Israel would have become a reality. Conversely, I wonder if the Holocaust would have happened had there been a Jewish state.
For the past year I had become somewhat jaded by the politics of Israel, the frustration of its disorganization, and its rude social behaviors. In those two minutes all those feelings were changed. In those two minutes as I stared at all my fellow tribe members, heads bowed in respect of all those who died because there was no Israel, and I renewed my vow, “Never Again.”
Today is the 27th day of Nisan, and Yom Hashoah is commemorated in Israel in a way that only Israel can. Since the Jewish day starts at sundown, not sunrise, shops and services close the night before. All government agencies shut down, and a special siren is sounded at 10 AM the following morning. Something unbelievable happens at the moment that the siren sounds across the hills of Jerusalem; something that I have never seen or heard of in any other culture. When the siren sounds at 10 AM, the entire city stops for the duration of its wail, as if the siren itself were the screams of the 6 million who died. EVERYTHING STOPS! People stop where they are walking, conversations end, traffic no longer moves, and people get out of their cars and stand, with heads bowed, in silent tribute. No one talks, as if unwilling to break the sound of those who had died.
The wailing siren last for 2 minutes, but in a way it seems to echo for eternity. In that time I can see everyone around me on the busy street of Keren Heyesod stop and reflect on the tragedy that changed the world. In a way, these 6 million men, women, and children died so that their descendents could stand where they are, right then. Had there been no Holocaust, it is unlikely that Israel would have become a reality. Conversely, I wonder if the Holocaust would have happened had there been a Jewish state.
For the past year I had become somewhat jaded by the politics of Israel, the frustration of its disorganization, and its rude social behaviors. In those two minutes all those feelings were changed. In those two minutes as I stared at all my fellow tribe members, heads bowed in respect of all those who died because there was no Israel, and I renewed my vow, “Never Again.”
posted by Jonathan at 7:34 AM
4 Comments:
Omigod, Michal, what a powerful article. You have moved me beyond words. In admiration and awe, I remain your loving mother.
I have taken note that it was Jonathan who wrote it. Powerful, indeed! One point I would make is that the Shoah is unique as the most vicious practice of genocide in the history of humankind. And that it why it must be forever remembered by the entire world, to reinforce: "NEVER AGAIN!"
Your Savta
hehe...Thanks Jan, that's the best complement you have ever given me! However, I'm not Michal. (oops!)
Thanks Savta, we are on the same page. =)
You really "feel" the Jewish soul here.
daiyenu
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