In the week leading up to Holocaust Remembrance Day, I found myself standing in the solemn halls of the Holocaust Museum in Washington, D.C. It had been many years since my last visit, but the urgency to bear witness felt stronger than ever. As I explored the exhibits, particularly those depicting the world leading up to Hitler’s rise and the atrocities of the Holocaust, a chilling realization dawned on me.
A Golden Age Interrupted:
In the exhibits, I was reminded of a time when Jews were living in what many would consider a golden age. However, Hitler’s ascent to power amidst economic and political turmoil drew unsettling parallels to the present day. The Nazi party’s initial decision to boycott Jewish-owned businesses and the arts mirrored contemporary challenges faced by Israel, such as the BDS movement and entertainment companies refusing to collaborate with Israeli filmmakers.
Propaganda and Scapegoating:
One of the most overwhelming parallels was the use of propaganda to spread false narratives and scapegoat Jews during the Holocaust. Today, we witness a barrage of false propaganda surrounding the Israeli-Hamas conflict in Gaza. From children’s books depicting Jews as enemies to classroom maps erasing Israel, the echoes of history are eerily resonant.
Depicting Jews as
the Enemy
Children’s Art and Modern Realities:
The exhibit showcasing artwork created by children in the Theresienstadt Ghetto struck a chord. The drawings depicted haunting scenes – houses surrounded by walls with billowing smoke, skeletal figures carrying heavy loads. It brought to mind recent discoveries of children’s drawings in tunnels, created by hostages in Gaza.
Bearing Witness:
Photographs of U.S. leaders standing amid piles of dead bodies during World War II reminded me of contemporary scenes – U.S. statesmen and Congress members bearing witness to destruction at the Nova musical festival site and Kibbutz Be’eri.
standing over the corpses of
concentration camp prisoners.
The Declaration of the State of Israel and A Prayer for Peace:
My time at the museum culminated in a powerful moment – standing witness to the Declaration of the State of Israel. Holocaust survivors could return to their ancestral homeland, hoping for freedom without the looming threat of terror and destruction. This strengthened my need to continue amplifying incredible leaders who stand up for a strong Israel and against antisemitism. As I lit a candle for innocent lives lost during the Holocaust, on October 7th and throughout this conflict, my prayer extended to all hostages and for Israel to regain peace and security. Am Yisrael Chai – the people of Israel live on.
–– Samantha Garelick, Pro-Israel America Executive Director
