What Hate Can Do: inside a devastating new exhibition on the Holocaust – The Guardian
Posted By admin on July 16, 2022
One enters The Holocaust: What Hate Can Do, the updated core exhibit at New York Citys Museum of Jewish Heritage, through a dark corridor. Yiddish and Hebrew songs are piped in as well-lit photographs and bright video screens show moments of domestic life from across the Jewish diaspora from decades ago. Families from Germany, Poland, Latvia, the Netherlands, Greece, Iraq, Libya and elsewhere are engaged in activities lively and mundane. Then, on the wall, in print too big to ignore, the punchline: Many of these Jews were murdered by April 1943.
That was my idea, Professor Judy Tydor Baumel-Schwartz, one of the primary historian-curators of the exhibit, tells me via a Zoom interview. They wanted a map or something, and I said no, we need something that hits you!
For Baumel-Schwartz, who has been teaching the Holocaust for 40 years, its also personal. That regal-looking woman standing on a rug in front of a house? Thats my great-grandmother. And when my great-grandfather was deported from Romania to Transnistria they wouldnt let him get his coat, so he grabbed that rug which eventually went to my grandmothers baby sister, and now its in room eight of this exhibit.
How else to grapple with something as massive as the Holocaust than with specifics? Indeed, the show, which takes up 12,000 ft over two floors in a modern building near Manhattans Battery Park, runs with an unusual narrative. This first tunnel dumps you directly into the nadir of Spring 1943.
Were reminded of the revolt and destruction of the Warsaw ghetto, the largest in Europe; we see a stone from the newly expanded crematoria of Auschwitz, the death factory responsible for killing 1 million Jews and 100,000 other victims; there are personal effects (a bland-looking towel like youd get today at a motel) that once belonged to Jews sent from Vilnius to die by gunfire at the Ponary Massacre; and, finally, images from the Bermuda Conference, where US and UK delegates met to discuss what to do about the Jews facing genocide in Europe. (The answer, essentially, was to table for further discussion.)
This one-two punch, before youve actually entered the main hall, serves a purpose. Just how the heck did this madness begin, you wonder? The next room (a pretty room, full of light, Baumel-Schwartz says) is one where there are no foolish questions: who, exactly, are these Jews?
Considering reports detailing the paltry understanding of the Holocaust among some millennial and Gen Z adults, theres no harm in taking this all from step one. This circular chamber digs into the basic beliefs of the religion, its origins in the Middle East, the differences between Ashkenazi and Sephardic groups, basic definitions of Hassidic, Conservative, Reform, Reconstructionist and other strains of Judaism, and how their customs and political beliefs may differ. One finds more commonalities than deviations. Purims Purim.
So once you know who these people are, Baumel-Schwartz guides me, the next obvious question is why did everyone hate them? [The Holocaust] was not a train going off the tracks from 1933 to 1945. It was a train making noises for hundreds of years.
This leads to a vast gallery packed with relics of Jew-hatred through the ages.
A timeline begins with the First Holy Crusades, details the 1194 Blood Libel in Norwich, explains British expulsion in 1290, and digs into the Alhambra Decree in 1492. Under glass is a note from King Ferdinand of Spain to a local governor offering instruction on what do with property seized from the Jews they hadf just kicked out of the country. (It wasnt making charitable contributions, I can assure you.)
There are covers from the hoax text The Protocols of the Elders of Zion in multiple languages, and as modernity creeps in, there are artifacts concerning Henry Ford, Father Charles Coughlin (kind of like an old podcaster, a rather astute parent told a teen as I eavesdropped) and a staggering birthday gift given to Herman Gring from Reynhard Heydrich: a 1551 proclamation requiring Jews to wear a yellow badge to distinguish themselves from gentle society.
In the same display case are a pipe and beer stein of the era, with cartoonish renderings of shifty, dirty Jews. This is antisemitism, Professor Baumel-Schwartz says. Its not a meeting where you hear about how awful the Jews are. Its a little object someone drinks their beer from at the end of the night from the time hes 16. This is what a Jew is, he thinks, this disgusting thing!
Next comes the Nazi rise to power and the Nuremberg laws, and the response from occupied countries when their Jews found themselves facing restrictions and, eventually, deportation. (No nation, with the exception of Denmark, can hold their heads up too high here.)
The Holocaust is so enormous of a story that, again, the specifics linger. I was drawn to two small footnotes, because they touched on my experience. One was how a small-but-significant number of Jews emigrated to Shanghai, as no visa was needed there (my father has a letter from the camps where his grandfather floated this as an idea, before he was killed at Auschwitz), and another was learning about a German-language cinema in New York City, where I live, that showed Nazi propaganda as late as 1941. (Its a Dunkin Donuts now.)
Professor Baumel-Schwartz points out a simple bowl that a family of Libyan Jews (part of a community originally from Gibraltar that was deported to Italy) used in a circumcision ceremony at the Bergen-Belson camp. The Holocaust was not just Yiddish-speaking European Jews. There were Ladino-speakers, Arabic-speakers, it depended on the luck of where you were living at the time.
When one rides the escalator to the second floor, thats where the mechanics of mass murder from the genteel drawing rooms at the Wannasee Conference to the selection outside the gas chambers are revealed.
I found myself newly frustrated at how the United States and United Kingdom were fully aware of what was going on (see the Karski Report, see the Riegner Telegram) and basically shrugged. American and British newspaper headlines get some prime, large font wall space; people knew what was happening.
After the war, the US allows more immigrants in, the United Nations is formed, and hundreds of thousands of Holocaust survivors find refuge in the ancestral homeland of the Jewish people, and create the State of Israel.
No matter where you stand on this last issue, I think everyone can agree that it hasnt gone smoothly. Professor Baumel-Schwartz assures me that the particulars of pulling off a major museum show like this meant reducing initial designs in anticipation of a planned expansion. A third floor, she says, will continue that conversation, and also discuss more contemporary antisemitism, which is, unfortunately, very relevant.
Suggesting that someone should go to a Holocaust museum of their own free will is strange. One usually goes out of guilt, and this exhibit cant really be considered fun. But it is thorough and clear and does the stated goal of explaining, as best as anything possibly could, just how this atrocity happened. Importantly, and without handholding, a thoughtful person begins considering current events, current prejudices, and questions if one is doing enough to stand for righteousness. In that regard, a visit is essential.
Read the original:
What Hate Can Do: inside a devastating new exhibition on the Holocaust - The Guardian
- In Turkey, a festival revives a jewel of the Sephardic world and aims ... - January 10th, 2023
- In Turkey, a festival revives a jewel of the Sephardic world and aims to break stereotypes - JTA News - Jewish Telegraphic Agency - January 10th, 2023
- Under coalition deal, chief Sephardic rabbi will head panel that ... - December 29th, 2022
- Beyond Sufganiyot and Latkes: 6 Delicious Recipes to Add Some Sephardic ... - December 29th, 2022
- Jewish religious movements - Wikipedia - December 23rd, 2022
- Palestinian Jews - Wikipedia - December 21st, 2022
- Sephardic Jewish cuisine - Wikipedia - October 25th, 2022
- Elul in Uzbekistan: Looking back at thousands of years to find inspiration for today - eJewish Philanthropy - October 8th, 2022
- Spice-packed chicken rolo is a perfect dinner in the sukkah J. - The Jewish News of Northern California - October 6th, 2022
- Beth Israel explores 'Roots of the Sephardic Jews in Texas' - Jewish Herald-Voice - September 23rd, 2022
- Why Rosh Hashanah Meals Are Different Anywhere You Go - Mashed - September 23rd, 2022
- What foods are in a Rosh Hashanah Seder? Take our quiz to find out - Forward - September 23rd, 2022
- Tel Aviv: The other face of the most expensive city in the world - EL PAS USA - September 23rd, 2022
- Farewell to the Shemittah! Torah.org - Torah.org - September 23rd, 2022
- A Fall Full of Cooking Shows on WTTW - WTTW - September 2nd, 2022
- World Premiere of Composer Michael Shapiro's VOICES to be Presented at Central Synagogue in November - Broadway World - September 2nd, 2022
- Zeal of the Convert - Randy Rosenthal - The American Scholar - September 2nd, 2022
- The Case A Year of Sabbatical - Community Magazine - September 2nd, 2022
- Delegates from More Than 50 Countries to Take Part in Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions in Kazakhstan - Astana Times - August 30th, 2022
- Recipes for okra, the unheralded star of summer - Los Angeles Times - August 30th, 2022
- The Jewish and Intellectual Origins of this Famously Non-Jewish Jew - Jewish Journal - August 27th, 2022
- Children's books by local Jewish authors educate and delight J. - The Jewish News of Northern California - August 20th, 2022
- Marvel's Jewish Voices: Where Are They? - Comic Watch - August 20th, 2022
- LETTERS: Sorry situation at Kotel; SFUSD wrong on Muslim holidays J. - The Jewish News of Northern California - August 20th, 2022
- Lily Safra, fabulously rich philanthropist whose life was peppered with drama and mystery obituary - The Telegraph - July 16th, 2022
- Which boy is the best boy for Kamala Khan? - Polygon - July 16th, 2022
- Blue Thread Performance Group Presents Series of Free Concerts Next Week - University of Arkansas Newswire - July 14th, 2022
- UK Conservative hopefuls strikingly diverse, firmly on right - ABC News - July 14th, 2022
- Married in the US; single in the EU - Rochester BeaconRochester Beacon - Rochester Beacon - July 14th, 2022
- Lily Safra, One Of The World's Richest Women, Dies at 87 - TheTealMango - July 10th, 2022
- Retracing the Old Havana Neighborhood of San Isidro - Havana Times - July 10th, 2022
- Greece Losing Battle of Thessaloniki to Anarchists, Hooligans - The National Herald - July 10th, 2022
- Moroccan Orange and Cured Olive Salad - Jewish Journal - July 4th, 2022
- The Shared Beliefs Of Muslims And Jews In Morocco Analysis - Eurasia Review - July 4th, 2022
- Poll: 66% of Haredi Voters Want Netanyahu to Step Down If He Fails to Forge a Government - The Jewish Press - JewishPress.com - July 4th, 2022
- Where is the Jewish 'Bridgerton'? In search of better Jewish period pieces - The Jewish News of Northern California - July 4th, 2022
- Daily Briefing Jun 22: Does Netanyahu have tricks up his sleeve to form a govt now? - The Times of Israel - June 26th, 2022
- Happy as this Jew in France - JNS.org - JNS.org - June 26th, 2022
- My Last Cup of Coffee with AB Yehoshua - Jewish Journal - June 17th, 2022
- Doron Almog, retired general and disabilities advocate, set to head Jewish Agency - JTA News - Jewish Telegraphic Agency - June 17th, 2022
- The Ropa Vieja story: the National Dish of Cuba | Revolucin de Cuba - June 13th, 2022
- Jewish surname - Wikipedia - June 13th, 2022
- SF Jewish Pride Fund visits LGBTQ grantees in Israel - The Jewish News of Northern California - June 13th, 2022
- The Weird and Wonderful Foods of Star Wars Made Jewish - aish.com - Aish - June 13th, 2022
- Sephardic Matzah Spinach Pie Recipe | The Nosher - June 4th, 2022
- The Zionism Of Warren G. Harding - The Jewish Press - JewishPress.com - June 2nd, 2022
- What is the Lag BaOmer pilgrimage? - The Conversation - May 18th, 2022
- Spiteful Synagogue Syndrome stories | Elchanan Poupko | The Blogs - The Times of Israel - May 18th, 2022
- SF senior home recognized by Fast Company for virtual memory care J. - The Jewish News of Northern California - May 18th, 2022
- My Abortion Helped Make My Jewish Family Whole Kveller - Kveller.com - May 18th, 2022
- Executive director of embattled Jewish Federation stepping down after months of turmoil - Santa Fe New Mexican - May 18th, 2022
- OU PRESS announces the publication of Bridging Traditions: Demystifying Differences Between Sephardic and Ashkenazic Jews by Rabbi Haim Jachter and... - May 4th, 2022
- Why are Mizrahi and Sephardic communities being misrepresented as anti-Israel? - JNS.org - May 4th, 2022
- Beit Harambam United in Times of Adversity - Jewish Exponent - May 4th, 2022
- Ruben Navarrette commentary: Faced with Ukrainians seeking refuge, Israel fails the immigration test again - West Central Tribune - May 4th, 2022
- Great Neck rabbi and Rambam boost Tiberias - The Jewish Star - May 4th, 2022
- 'Ace of Taste' shows the savory side of chef Duff Goldman - Journal Inquirer - May 4th, 2022
- Synagogue Spotlight: Keter Torah Currently Has Members From About 20 Countries Among Their 100 or so Families - The Jewish News - April 29th, 2022
- Ladino's gives sneak peek of Mediterranean cuisine ahead of grand opening - mySA - April 29th, 2022
- Following Roman Abramovich scrutiny, Portugal tightens ... - March 20th, 2022
- Funeral for Rabbi Chaim Kanievsky, zt'l: Roads to be Closed, Hundreds of Thousands Expected to Attend - The Jewish Press - JewishPress.com - March 20th, 2022
- Plane belonging to oligarch Abramovich reportedly lands in Israel - The Times of Israel - March 20th, 2022
- Ukraine crisis sharpens Israel's existential need for conversion reform - The Times of Israel - March 18th, 2022
- Lisbon Jewish Community - cilisboa.org - March 14th, 2022
- A Date with a Purim Destiny and The Rolled Up Sweetness of Fijuelas - Jewish Journal - March 14th, 2022
- Inspired by the river, settlers chose the name Atrisco - Jacksonville Journal-Courier - March 14th, 2022
- Lyric Fest Presents Concert of World Premieres, THE SONG CATCHER: THE FOLK SONG RE-IMAGINED - Broadway World - March 14th, 2022
- Lily Henley's upcoming album dialogues with centuries of Sephardic Jewish women - Grateful Web - March 8th, 2022
- Chatham Baroque Brings East of the River To Pittsburgh For A Program Of Medieval Sephardic Music and More - Broadway World - March 8th, 2022
- Obituary: Matilda Rosenberg, 69, social worker who strived to honor the memory of Holocaust survivors like her parents - Shawnee Mission Post - March 8th, 2022
- Poetry and Music | The UCSB Current - The UCSB Current - February 28th, 2022
- The Five Minute Read - Lowell Sun - February 28th, 2022
- Kissing Children In The Synagogue - The Jewish Press - JewishPress.com - February 28th, 2022
- 40% Of Americans Might Be Eligible For Dual Citizenship (And A Second Passport): Here's What You Need To Know - Forbes - February 28th, 2022
- TABC Sephardic Student Inquiry: Is It Acceptable for Me to Wear My Tzitzit Out? - The Jewish Link - February 11th, 2022
- Five Towns Chabad honors the Friedmans | Herald Community Newspapers - liherald - February 11th, 2022
- Top UK Jewish body tells visiting far-right MK Smotrich to get back on a plane - The Times of Israel - February 11th, 2022
- Drop the Goldberg name you co-opted, Whoopi -- you don't deserve it - New York Post - February 7th, 2022
- Review: In Prayer for the French Republic, Echoes of the Past - The New York Times - February 7th, 2022
- Tell Us Your Encanto Opinions And We'll Give You A Perfect Book Recommendation - BuzzFeed - February 7th, 2022
Comments