VoiceWords: Lynn Nicholson
From 1933 to 1945, Nazi Germany’s government led by Adolf Hitler promoted a nationalism that
combined territorial expansion with claims of biological superiority—an “Aryan master race”—
and virulent anti-Semitism. Driven by a racist ideology legitimized by German scientists, the
Nazis attempted to eliminate all of Europe’s Jews, ultimately killing six million in the Holocaust.
Many others also became victims of persecution and murder in the Nazis’ campaign to cleanse
German society of individuals viewed as threats to the “health” of the nation.
My children, aged 8 and 11, recently watched the survivors. Every one should meet or listen to at least one fi l m ‘The Boy In Stripped Pyjamas’. At fi rst I was survivor. To imagine this person, as a small child, confi ned apprehensive about them watching the fi lm; I within the horrors of the Holocaust and yet to still be here
worried about how it would affect them if it would give them today with their faith in tact is a very humbling experience.
nightmares. In fact, what the fi lm did was to open a whole The museum sets out to highlight certain memories that we
dialogue about what happened and why. It was because of should never forget and as well as understanding that it was
these questions that I started to search for an outlet where prejudice, hate, anti-Semitism and racism that led to the
they could read and learn, fi rst hand about the Holocaust. Holocaust the other messages are equally as strong one in
I have sat and listened to a man telling his own story, his particular, “ never take anything good for granted”.
number tattooed on his arm, and seen, and felt, fi rst hand During the planning stages of the museum a great deal
the physical and emotional scars of the experience. I have of thought was put into how to teach people about the
sat and listened to those brought up in Germany during atrocities without causing them to turn away. At the time
the Nazi rule and their attitude towards the events and the of the planning over 300 survivors resided in Houston, all
Holocaust. Both experiences have been traumatic, both for determined to share their memories and experiences and
very different reasons. they bought together documentation, photographs and
My research led me to the Holocaust Museum Houston. personal belongings all because they wanted everyone to
It was during a trip to Israel to participate in an international know what happened now and in the future. It is this personal
gathering of Holocaust survivors that Siegi Izakson realised touch that makes people want to stay and learn.
that sooner or later all of the people attending would pass There is special attention given to the children caught up in
away and with them the memories of everything and the Holocaust, estimated at 1.5 million. Entire generations
more importantly the voices that needed to be heard for lost forever.
generations to come. He returned to Houston and to cut
a long story short, he fulfi lled his dream and created the Consider that 2 out of every 3 Jews within Europe were
museum, but much more than just a museum, he created a murdered during the Hitler rule. I often think of this statistic, it
learning centre for all ages. It is the aspect of teaching that really is just too huge to contemplate fully, but it strengthens
is the core of this project. why we must all take time to listen to and learn from the
Teachers come here to understand how to teach their survivors. They deserve our respect and time.
classes on the Holocaust meet actual survivors and
therefore, be able to pass on information with authority and Jews were not the only victims of the Holocaust and the
compassion. Tours are led through the museum by survivors museum covers these people too, all victims of Hitler’s
of the Holocaust and you can watch video diaries from other dream of an Aryan race.
International Lifestyle Magazine
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