American Jewish Committee Brings Diplomats To Experience The Holocaust As A Living Memorial

American Jewish Committee
Thursday, 18 December 1997

Diplomats from nearly two dozen nations got a special glimpse into the uplifting triumphs and horrific tragedies, challenges and inspirations, of Jewish life around the world, courtesy of the American Jewish Committee and the Museum of Jewish Heritage: A Living Memorial To The Holocaust.

The ambassadors and consuls general were taking part in AJC's annual "Tour of Jewish New York," sponsored by its New York Chapter. Following the museum visit, the diplomats returned to AJC for a luncheon meeting to share their experience with Dr. David Altshuler, Director of the Museum of Jewish Heritage; Senator Manfred Ohrenstein, a member of the board of the Museum and of AJC; and David. A. Harris, AJC Executive Director.

The three-month old museum, with its 2,000 photographs, 8,000 artifacts, and 2 1/2 hours of videotape is a "living memorial, not just a monument," said Dr. Altshuler. "It tells about the complex chapters not only in Jewish history but in human history. We seek to remember not only how Jews were murdered, but how they lived before the war, how they struggled through the war, and how their legacy lives on today in Israel, the United States, and throughout the world. It is history that speaks to your heart, not just your head. We hope that it changes your view of a museum as a collection of fossils. Our is a collection of human beings and of emotions."

Dr. Altshuler noted that during the eight days of Hanukah the museum will be lit up blue and white, like a menorah. "During this darkest season of the year, we struggle to make sure that we will have a time of light and of rededication."

Senator Ohrenstein, who was born in Germany and left with his family in 1938, spoke about the "dramatic, traumatic" changes taking place throughout Europe and Asia today and into the new century.

"The 20th century will go down in history as the bloodiest century in the history of the world -- wars, ethnic conflicts, national civil wars and the continued penchant of the human race to express differences through violence. This is the puzzle we have yet to solve. The work of this museum and others like it is to capture for us all the fact that as a human race, as civilized as we like to believe we are, and as proud as we are of our veneer of civilization, that veneer is very thin and fails when put to the test.

"The true genius of this museum," he added," is that it treats the Holocaust in very personal terms and in a myriad of ways. It is only by understanding the impact it had on individuals that we can understand the experience of the 6 million."

Mr. Harris commented that "visiting this museum is a profoundly moving and emotional experience, not just an intellectual enterprise."

Cornel Metternich, Consul General of Germany, commented after his visit to the museum: "There are hardly words to express our feelings as Germans when we watch the films, look at the pictures and see the artifacts. We are reminded in this place that all these people were individuals, many of them German Jews who were, because of their deep loyalty to Germany, hit doubly hard. They were deceived by Germany and also by their love of things German. This is hard to come to terms with. But there is hope as long as there is life."

Turning to present-day Germany and its relationship with its Jewish community, Consul General Metternich stated that "I am moved and happy that in Germany today the Jewish community is the fastest growing Jewish community in the world, with now more than 100,000 Jews. This is a message of hope which addresses itself to all humanity. If you live within a framework of democracy and human rights you can be optimistic about the future."

Harsh Bhasin, Consul General of India, commented on the long and proud history of its Jewish community. "The first Jewish community arrived in India 500 years ago, and we are now celebrating that anniversary. We have even commissioned a postage stamp to commemorate it," which he said he'd like to see in the museum.

Consul General Charalambos Manessis of Greece spoke of how moved he was by the museum and of his country's recent attempt to memorialize the Jewish experience through a special monument erected in Thessaloniki for Greek Holocaust victims. (An AJC delgation, led by Executive Director David Harris, participated in the memorials dedication).

At the luncheon's conclusion, Mr. Harris said to his diplomatic guests: "We hope this trip has made you understand the Jewish feeling for Israel, and powerful connection between the Holocaust and the State of Israel. If there had been an Israel then, Jews would have found a refuge, not been turned away by one country after another. They would have had a country to go to. We are asking that you understand our earnest desire to see to it that Israel thrives in security and peace."

This event was part of the New York Chapter's ongoing effort to promote dialogue and mutual understanding between New York's Jewish community and the diplomatic community. The chapter also hosts an annual diplomatic seder. Lucy Siegel is chair of the Diplomatic Outreach Committee. Suzanne Denbo Jaffe is president of AJC's New York Chapter.

The countries represented included: Australia, Austria, Bulgaria, Canada, Czech Republic, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Pakistan, Peru, Poland, Russia, Switzerland, Tunisia, and the United Kingdom.

For more information, or to contact American Jewish Committee, see their website at: www.ajc.org