Holocaust Remembrance

Today we arrived back in Tel Aviv on Holocaust Remembrance Day (יום השאוה). Flags were at half mast, 'The Boy in the Striped Pajamas' was shown on the flight, and at 10 AM, everyone in Israel observed a moment of silence. Cars even stopped on the freeway, as people got out to pay their respects. After our visit to Terezin, Auschwitz & Birkenou (Auschwitz 2) this past week, we have a much better understanding of the magnitude of this tragedy.

"Work will set you free." - the cynical lie over the entrance to every concentration camp.

Hospital beds at Terezin

Auschwitz 1

The firing wall.

When Auschwitz 1 become too crowded, the Nazis expanded to Auschwitz 2: Birkenau.

"In front of us flames. In the air that smell of burning flesh. It must have been about midnight. We had arrived -- at Birkenau, reception center for Auschwitz." -- Elie Wiesel

Over 100 people per car, unventilated for days on end to arrive. Many died in transit. Those that made the journey faced either immediate death or work in the worst of conditions, usually only to be put to death in coming weeks.

"Men to the left. Women to the right. Eight words spoken quietly, indifferently, without emotion. Eight short, simple words. Yet that was the moment when I parted from my mother." -- Elie Wiesel, Night

Barracks constructed for 200-300 prisoners. They often housed up to 800.

The bunks were built for 3 persons per compartment, but often shared by 8.

8 people ber bunk, plus rats, rain, snow, insects, excrement, and cold. No electricity or heat. We visited in April, and we were freezing. I can't imagine what it was like in the winter.

This ammunition bunker was converted into the first gas chamber.

4 more were constructed at Birkenau.

Used canisters of Cyclone-B.

Shalom