We started in the classroom with a brief overview of the Yad VaShem Museum; this was so that we could move at our own pace and not be restricted by a guide - it was good that we went individually because there were a number of groups and they were truly tourists and as an individual I could take my time and move when I wanted to.
We started in the Children's memorial which was set up to remember the 1.5 million children who died during the Nazi atrocities. It is simply a place where there are reflections of light and the names of young people and children being read aloud - very provocative and moving.
From there we moved to the museum and that was moving in itself. The building is quite impressive with a long central corridor with rooms going off to the side with parts of the story being told in each room. Unfortunately we weren't allowed to take photos in the museum so I only have photos of the outside. The first is as we enter.
When we exited the museum with a heavy heart affected by the scenes and stories that are well presented but incredibly confronting (as they truly should be) we came face to face with a vista filled with life and hope - shown in the photo below.
As I left to return to the bus to travel back to Ecce Homo we passed through the Memorial Garden planted to remember people who provided support to the Jewish people during the Holocaust and of course there is a memorial to Oscar Schindler and his wife.
After lunch we spent time debriefing after our visit and then we had some free time before we headed down to the Lithostrotos for a celebration of the Eucharist - a quiet and reflective time of prayer which was greatly appreciated.
Some of the team are watching the Life of Brian tonight - being in Jerusalem it has started some of them thinking outside the square and, I have to say, that's about as far outside the square as you can get.
Now bed for me.
No comments:
Post a Comment