Report filed June 2nd Yad Vashem
I spent the morning of June 1st at Yad Vashem, the Holocaust Musuem in Jeruselem. It is not possible to put my own words to the horror of the jewish experience during the past century. In a sacred setting carved into the mountain side, Yad Vashem is a holy, dare I say, loving voice for the victims of anti-judiasm.
After wittnessing the history of the gradual and insidious extermination of the Jews of Europe, I reviewed the names of the "Rightious Among the Nations", which is a monument to those non-jews who risked their lives to save some part of the Jewish humanity cast aside by the majority of the people in that place and time. I am most moved by this section. Tears well up in my eyes. First with gratitude that there were some who risked their lives to help the Jews, but then with greater sadness that there were so few. Fear, it seems, doth the heart like bad medicine.
Next, in the Hall of Names, where all those who perished are listed, I read these words
"Remember only that I was innocent and, just like you, mortal on that day, I too had a face marked by rage, by pity, and joy, quite simply, a human face." Benjamine Fondone, Died in Aushwitze, 1944.
I shared this quote with several Palestinean friends. "Yes", said Sulaiman, "I understand this feeling....those words can speak for us all".
The signs are sponsored by "IWagePeace.Org" and "Combatants For Peace.Org." Both signs will be received at services at the Berlin Mosque, in Berlin CT at 1:00 P.M. Friday June 8th, at Congregation Mishken Israel in Hamden CT on Friday June 8th at 8:00 P.M. and on Sunday, June 10th, 10:30 A.M. at Woodmont United Church of Christ, in Milford CT. The public is welcome at all services. Proper attire is required. Inside the Mosque, Men should wear modest clothing with long pants, women should dress modestly with long paints or full length dresses with long sleeves and head scarf.
For information call: Bruce A. Barrett at (203) 710-5675, email him at IWagepPeace@.mac.com, or visit his web site www.IWagePeace.Org
