Holocaust Center and Jewish Museum

On Sunday, I went to town to the Holocaust Center and South African Jewish Museum. 

In the past, I have been to many Holocaust Museums and even to a concentration camp. It is important for me to always remind myself of the atrocities committed based on hatred. In a sense, the presence of this museum in South Africa was particularly powerful. This was an underlying theme throughout the exhibit, which did not back away from displaying anti-semitism occurring  within SA. Like so many other countries, SA passed laws limiting immigration.   Also,  it was fascinating to learn about the Lithuanian influence in SA. I had heard very little about Lithuania in relation to the Holocaust. At the end of the exhibit, there was a wall with pictures of survivors living in the Western Cape. There was a quote to look into their eyes, which I did. It was something that I had never thought to do before. I cannot really describe how this make me felt, but I was truly moved. To think what they had seen through those eyes - violence, hunger, hate, and death and yet those eyes also seen, as indicated by the labels underneath, the births of children and grandchildren. That is resistance. 

There was a quote by Desmund Tutu at the exit of the exhibit. Paraphrasing, it said, "We remember the Holocaust to remind ourselves to be gentile and compassionate." I loved this quote.  I usually walk out of exhibits about the Holocaust feeling down, but I walked out of this particular one wanting to give someone a hug and give back even more to my community. Coincidentally, Schindler's List was on TV that night. I watched it thinking about the feelings that I experienced during the day. 

Next, I went to the Jewish Museum next door.  It was well put together and  very interesting. I had not realized how much influence Jewish settlers had in South Africa. Originally, Jewish immigrants came into SA through Cape Town. Here many started businesses, many which were located in District 6. Then, much of the population moved to Johannesburg due to the discovery of diamonds. According to the lady in my headphone, Johannesburg was one of the few cities that Jews helped build. There was a really cool display illustrating how the city grew. I also appreciated the section about the involvement of different Jewish figures in apartheid. There was a great video of Nelson Mandela speaking about this involvement. 

In sum, I had a terrific and thought provoking day at the Jewish Museum and Holocaust Center. Definitely worth checking out if you are ever Cape Town. Off to bed, I am going to ATTEMPT to be up by 5:45 so I can go see Desmund Tutu preach. 

- Feldman