I am an Orthodox Jew - some would even call me 'ultra-Orthodox.' Born in Boston, I was a corporate and securities attorney in New York City for seven years before making aliya to Israel in 1991 (I don't look it but I really am that old :-). I have been happily married to the same woman for thirty-five years, and we have eight children (bli ayin hara) ranging in age from 13 to 33 years and nine grandchildren. Four of our children are married! Before I started blogging I was a heavy contributor on a number of email lists and ran an email list called the Matzav from 2000-2004. You can contact me at: IsraelMatzav at gmail dot com
Like what you see? Please hit my tip box below!
Jerusalem |
 |
 |
5 Comments:
Go. Just once. Preferably with a survivor. You will need to mentally recover when you return home. Took me about 2 months after one week in Poland. Do NOT go on one of those tours mainly geared to visiting Kivrei Tzadikim (tombs of the revered rabbis) with the holocaust perspective only as the sideshow - just the opposite. Wear a pair of shoes you don't mind throwing out after the trip. Take Yahrzeit candles to light in the crematoriums. Take stones from Jerusalem to place on the mass graves and memorial monuments. Urinate in the back of gas stations, rather than paying the Poles a zloty for use of their toilets, which they do even at Auschwitz. Y'mach Sh'mam Ve'Zichram.
I find the title offensive. I've been to Disneyland. And Auschwitz, dear friends, was no vacation retreat for the Jews.
It's easy to well-up reading an account like this but much, much more important that the Jews internalize the lesson. 1) Never trust goyim with your life (especially when they're wearing UN helmuts or ask you to sign on the dotted line where it reads "peace and security"). 2) Don't trust other Jews who promise everything will be OK if you just "go with the flow". 3) Secure the means, individually and collectively, to defend yourself and your family.
NormanF said...
I find the title offensive. I've been to Disneyland. And Auschwitz, dear friends, was no vacation retreat for the Jews.
---------------------------------
But today you can buy soft ice cream on a cone and other fast foods, plus souvenirs, at the ground entrances to Auschwitz, where the Poles have allowed dozens of vendor stands to be permanently set up.
Disneyland? No. But Central Park, perhaps? Contrast to the extremly somber Yad Vashem in Jerusalem.
I'll mention the pay toilets again.
You should be offended, but not because of the title.
Shy Guy, I'm offended by that too. Nothing can do justice today to the horrors at the largest Jewish graveyard in Europe. And the beautiful surroundings don't help.
Post a Comment
<< Home