For survivors, veterans, and numerous history teachers across the United States yesterday marked an incredibly day as the United States Holocaust Museum (located in Washington DC) celebrated its 20th anniversary of its opening. The title of this post: "Never Again. What You Do Matters" was the theme of this amazing anniversary. It is hard to explain the impact that this museum has had on so many people, myself included. I have been impacted as a teacher who had the opportunity to take students to the museum, as a student when I took a class there (and briefly considered applying for a fellowship), and finally as an individual who has been impacted by the numerous stories of those who were heroes in a time of such horror.
The United States Holocaust Museum provides an opportunity for those who have never been to a concentration camp (and for those of us that have been) to remember anew the faces of those that were lost and to pledge once more: "never again". Ten years ago on the 10th anniversary, the museum provided the opportunity for more than 7,000 survivors and their families to gather together. In this year as we celebrate the triumph of the human spirit I am once again moved by such heroism in the face of tragedy and for the courage of all of those who live during this time period.
For those that are interested in reading (or watching) some amazing stories that embrace the theme of the United States Holocaust Museum's 20th anniversary I have listed eight that have been incredibly inspirational to me:
** these books and movies deal with extremely difficult content that might not be suitable for all age groups**
* The Courageous Heart of Irena Sendler (movie) (Irena Sendler's story is amazing if you are not familiar with it)
* Into the Arms of Strangers: Stories of the Kindertransport(book)and there is a movie too which I have not seen
* Escape from Sobibor - this film was made in the late 80s and yet the story is remarkable and is well worth watching
* Lest Innocent Blood Be Shed (book)
* Your Life is Worth Mine(book)
* The Nazi Officer's Wife (movie) - I have not watched the movie but I have read the book
* From Dust and Ashes: A Story of Liberation (book)
* Night Song: A Story of Sacrifice (book)
The United States Holocaust Museum provides an opportunity for those who have never been to a concentration camp (and for those of us that have been) to remember anew the faces of those that were lost and to pledge once more: "never again". Ten years ago on the 10th anniversary, the museum provided the opportunity for more than 7,000 survivors and their families to gather together. In this year as we celebrate the triumph of the human spirit I am once again moved by such heroism in the face of tragedy and for the courage of all of those who live during this time period.
For those that are interested in reading (or watching) some amazing stories that embrace the theme of the United States Holocaust Museum's 20th anniversary I have listed eight that have been incredibly inspirational to me:
** these books and movies deal with extremely difficult content that might not be suitable for all age groups**
* The Courageous Heart of Irena Sendler (movie) (Irena Sendler's story is amazing if you are not familiar with it)
* Into the Arms of Strangers: Stories of the Kindertransport(book)and there is a movie too which I have not seen
* Escape from Sobibor - this film was made in the late 80s and yet the story is remarkable and is well worth watching
* Lest Innocent Blood Be Shed (book)
* Your Life is Worth Mine(book)
* The Nazi Officer's Wife (movie) - I have not watched the movie but I have read the book
* From Dust and Ashes: A Story of Liberation (book)
* Night Song: A Story of Sacrifice (book)
As we consider the victims, the heroes, and their families on this 20th anniversary I am once again thankful to live in a country where I am free. I remember this with gratitude and am humbly challenged to truly pray for the leaders of our country and for those around the world where human rights atrocities still exist and where holocausts still occur. Let us live with the motto: Never Again. What You Do Matters.
3 comments
Thank you for this post!! I had no idea today was such an important anniversary. Ever since reading Anne Frank, the Holocaust has had a huge place in my heart. I remember as a young girl, it gave me chills imagining what these people faced. It still does. May their legacies always help us to remember what happened, and ensure that it never happens again.
ReplyDeleteThanks for linking up last week, We would love to have you again! This week is "Your Front Porch View"
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Though late, stopping from the North East Bloggers weekend hop. As a history nut, I've read a lot about the Holocaust. The museum is on my list next time I get to DC. I'll throw one more book in for your list. Night by Elie Wiesel. I had to read it in college and loved it. When I was doing some adjunct instructor work at a college, I used it, too. It was amazing to see many kids from today's generation really get into and look deeper into the book. Well worth a look if you haven't already!
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