“…, but the artless aniline blue of 108016 tattooed on my father’s forearm was an abiding sign of the past on our present. It was his alone and then, as much as a thing can ever be, it became mine, and now it’s yours we can share.”
Melvin Jules Bukiet.
It was a balmy, spring evening in a lovely den, overlooking the inter-coastal and NEXT GENERATIONS was having a casual evening of “coffee talk”. One member quietly and calmly stated,” You know, if Hitler had had his way, none of us would be here.” YES, THE HOLOCAUST MATTERS: WE ARE HERE! Today’s article is one of two that will attempt to explain why. Selfishly, today’s article will deal with the Holocaust’s impact on the Second Generation and their families. Future articles will deal with why the Holocaust touches each and every one of us.
How do we learn to cope with the fact that the most important events that shaped our lives occurred before we were born? We do know that we received an inheritance of second hand knowledge of the worst event in history. We are forever aware of the imaginary offspring of the six million actual dead that do not have the Second Generation’s opportunities. No one –not a German and not a Jew- who isn’t a child of survivors can begin to understand the depths of the rage experienced when we, the 2G’s think of the octogenarian perpetrators and the rest of the nation that saw nothing for the twelve year reign of the Third Reich. As for their children and their children’s children and the yet unborn tainted by their German blood- what are the feelings harbored towards them? Is it wrong to condemn them, mistrust them and not want to know them?
Intellectually looking at this though moral standards and logic, I know this is wrong. And yet… If this reflects a flaw in my soul, so be it. Go to our museums, read our books, see our plays, look at what you did. Ecce homo!
Sadness comes from recollection, outrage comes from reflection. The fury grows. The first Generation which was witness to the horrors is disappearing, and ignorance is increasing. Fewer people around the world have heard of the Holocaust or are aware of what happened in Auschwitz. Without question, the manifestations of anti-Semitism are on the rise. Sixty years after the liberation of Auschwitz- the evil which gave rise to the horror still exists- and still threatens us.
“They” are impatient with us.” Why do you Jews dwell on the Holocaust? It was more than sixty years ago. Just forget it and move forward.” The very same mindset that was not disturbed while six million Jews were butchered now resents our remembering those six million. The Holocaust reminds us of certain truths that, if forgotten, could destroy civilization. To be silent in the face of evil is to surrender to it, encourage it and enable it to grow stronger. Memory is an integral part of Jewish existence. The term zikaron, “remembrance”, appears over 20 times in The Book of Moses.
Forgetting and allowing forgetfulness is not an option.
And yet… a Child of a Survivor asks,” Mom, how did you begin to live after everything that happened?”
“It just happened,” was the answer
“Well, did you ever consider not bringing children into this world?”
“Never. You were our greatest joy. I never meant to pass it on to you or your sisters. You were our miracle.” When you were born your father said, “This is worth more than a million dollars.”
Yes, the Holocaust matters: it shows what can happen to human beings when they allow the beast within to control them. Should we forget, it is our danger. Memory is the glue of one’s self-identity. It is also an integral part of Jewish identity.
“If I forget thee, O Jerusalem, may my right hand fail…” says King David (psalms 137:5).
We do not forget, and even in moments of great joy- our weddings- we shatter a glass to remind ourselves that as long as our Temple is not rebuilt and restored our happiness is incomplete.
Greta Brewer
Vice President of Education,
NEXT GENERATION
