Today we visited Yad VaShem, the memorial to those lost in the Shoah (Holocaust). It is an enormous place, and we were there very early but the crowds were considerable. The Israeli army have an education program for their soldiers, taking them around to significant sites all over the country (which means we have been touring alongside them almost every where we go, which was a little unusual at first and now has become almost disturbingly commonplace) and there were at least three separate groups of soldiers there going on tours, so it was elbow to elbow.
We began with the Children's memorial which is a beautiful place, built to honour those children who died in the Shoah. Their names are recited aloud as you enter a dark circular room, with mirrored surfaces which reflect the flames of little candles which give the impression of stars in the night sky. It was a beautiful, sad place, and I visited it twice to try and honour the lives of those commemorated there.
The atmosphere of the main museum is also amazing, not at all like a normal museum. I think it will take me a while to filter through the experience, but it was not the sort of place where you could chat to anyone...it was more like a silent vigil as you moved through the different sections and displays. The final few rooms, which have been remodelled/rebuilt in 1995, now contain a Hall of Names which is a massive round room, with circular walls lined like library shelves, from the top of the walls to the bottom, with volumes containing the names of those who died, and as much information about them as is available. It is the most incredible sight. and then there is a room which honours those who resisted, as well as the Righteous Among the nations: those within Germany and Poland and from abroad who worked to save the lives of Jews and others during the Holocaust. Schindler's List is displayed here also.
The name Yad Va Shem comes from the book of Isaiah "to them I will give within my temple and its walls a memorial and a name..." and the new emphasis in the museum on the personal stories of people does this, in honouring both the dead and those who survived.
I don't think it would be easy to forget some of the displays; the uniforms of those who lived in the camps, and the glass display case in the floor filled with shoes of those who were imprisoned and probably died. That was one of the most heart breaking sights, noticing all the serviceable, practical working person's shoes, and the occasional glamourous party girl shoe with a 1940s style.
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