Today is the 70th anniversary of the liberation of the Auschwitz concentration camp in Oswiecim, Poland. It is a milestone this world would be better off never having to mark. But because human beings can be inhuman, it is a day of remembrance of the six million souls who died too soon at the hands of those who would play God, as well as the recognition of the few who survived to tell the world the truth of what happened. It is a serious day, a heartbreaking day, even all these years later, when you think of the lost lives, the lost art, the lost theories and designs and everything else that might have come if the Holocaust had never happened.
It is also a moment to look at the world today, and recognize that the inhumanity that led to the Holocaust is not eradicated. Syria is under attack from extremist Muslims who prey on those who cannot defend themselves. Minorities the world over are threatened by intolerance. Those in control continue to wage terror on those who have no voice. So little has changed in the last 70 years. Names and faces and religion have changed, but the underlying result is the death of those who are not "like" those in control.
I find the fact that anyone survived to be miraculous. I cannot imagine the horrors they lived. I cannot wrap my mind around the constant fear, the endless suffering, the relentless deprivation of every need. They are heroes, and I honor them today in deep humility. But I also honor them for their breathtaking spirit, their unwillingness to allow evil to win, their refusal to quit when death would have been so easy. I have wondered so often, would I have that kind of spirit? Would I be that determined? I fear not. It is humbling.
I look at the headlines this morning, and instead of this event being front and center, see predictions of the Apocalypse because of a blizzard. I see an over-entitled owner of a multi-million dollar franchise demanding an apology for the disrespect of thinking it is possible they cheated at a game. I read that social media has gone offline for an hour, and people cannot cope. It makes me wonder what these survivors think when they see what the rest of us consider to be hardship. It is embarrassing.
The story of the liberation of Auschwitz is not just about the sorrow. It is also, at least for me, ultimately a story of triumph and faith. It is proof that human spirit can survive even the most evil of occurrences. Today, as we honor the survivors and remember the lost, I am grateful that we have this opportunity to express to them how important they are in the story of our world. Although I cannot express it to any of them in person today, I hope that each one of them hears how honored we are to have them in our midst. I am grateful for their spirit and their ability to lead us in remembering what should never be forgotten.
Shalom Aleikhem .
