Yad Vashem, the World Holocaust Remembrance Center in Jerusalem, pursues education, documentation, and research about the six-million Jews who were murdered during World War II. The main exhibit hall, with its gut-wrenching displays and photos, ensures we will never forget this grisly time in our history.
The Hall of Names shown in the above photo stands at the end of the displays. The vast cone that descends from the ceiling is covered with photos of those who perished in the Holocaust. They reach to the ceiling, and reflect in the still waters of a pool beneath the cone. In lieu of cemeteries or headstones for the victims, this memorial serves as a remembrance for all time.
This was one of the most gut wrenching days of my life. The Children’s museum with names being repeated one after another after another, hour after hour. And the box car on the side of the cliff. So necessary and so understated.
Hi Ellie: Wish I’d had more time there. A morning was simply not enough. I will go back one day and spend more time. Gut wrenching, yes. But as you say, so necessary.
I was 9 when I went. I had the same feeling to this day that it was the most gut-wrenching thing I’ve ever seen. The the photos shown or truly disturbing especially for a child like myself so I would not recommend bringing little ones until they are older. I am now 40 and planning to move or as we say make Aliyah.
Museums like this are so incredible. I remember visiting the Apartheid Museum in South Africa, WTC in New York and the killing fields museum in Cambodia. I could only imagine what a place like this would be like especially with the Hall of Names. Great photo as well!
Thank you so much Mark. It was both fascinating and gut-wrenching, but I really believe places like this are essential so that we never forget.