Today the Americans experienced a range of emotions and tough memories while visiting Yad Vashem. Despite it being my second time, there is nothing repetitive or insignificant about this memorial. As we ventured through the state of the art building, with a California native tour guide, our tour began with the celebrations and stories from the end of the war in 1944. Still stoic, the group began understanding the brainwashing and propaganda the Europeans experienced, while under the Hitler reign. Quickly getting into the story of mass murders, graves and manipulation, we stood there dumbfounded and confused. Obviously we all know the story of what happened: there is no denying the millions of innocent mothers, sisters, daughters, sons, brothers and fathers who died, or the inhumane nature of the convoluted series of events that took place Germany. The memorial successfully drew from thousands of different forms of media, such as interviews, letters, diaries, wills, and pictures to illustrate the starving children, the grotesque living conditions, the blatant propaganda, and millions of people who fell victim manslaughter. As I write this now, I still can not seem to accept the millions of brothers, sisters, mothers, fathers, sons and daughters lost, and the destroyed generations that resulted.With not a dry eye in the building, the nearby fire's ashes only amplified the tears and left us in a state of ineffable emotions.
Elyse Werksman
p.s. On a lighter note, we met up with the Israelis to start our second week of adventures!
Really appreciate your comments... it sounds like you are all deeply affected by your experiences thus far... your thoughts are beautifully expressed... feeling like we are there with you! Seems like the postings were delayed as we have been checking daily and this is the first time all four postings were up. Keep updating us and continue to enjoy! :)
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