I am a witness to your learning, Jen. I have no context for this experience because I am of Irish Catholic descent on both sides in my family. I think what you are doing is crucial - educating those of us who really have no clue about the way *this* kind of trauma shows up in the world. Your perspective is so unique, as you go through the conversion process and take us along with you, at least in part. It needs to be understood by the OUTSIDE world. Because ultimately, it is that outside world that inflicts the horror. It's both things, I think, as you are writing about in real time: the need for insularity within a community in order for the community to heal, and the need for witnesses who can then see the signs in the outer world and, having learned what to look for, use their privilege and power to do what is necessary and possible within their own sphere of influence. Thank you for writing.
My husband told me that his father didn’t talk of his experiences until the early 80s when documentaries and movies about the Holocaust were released. There was so much the family didn’t know before that, but then my father-in-law wrote his story, visited schools, and was involved in interfaith relations because he believed that could help prevent a second Holocaust. So much good came out of opening up and sharing his story.
How interesting, bewildering, and understandable. I can't even begin to imagine what I would do were I in their shoes. When I had the chance to ask my elderly relatives, I didn't. Of course, I regret it, but I also excuse my young self for not wanting to go there. This was a great post for Holocaust Remembrance day, thanks Jen!
There are so many things we didn’t ask. It’s as if we didn’t know what to ask then, and now it’s too late. EXCEPT we recently uncovered hours of video footage of my husband’s grandfather. He participated in a project and we didn’t know. This discovery is a treasure I cannot even believe. I plan to write about it here. All of the footage is in Hebrew with no translation yet, so my hubs will need to explain line by line for now.
I am a witness to your learning, Jen. I have no context for this experience because I am of Irish Catholic descent on both sides in my family. I think what you are doing is crucial - educating those of us who really have no clue about the way *this* kind of trauma shows up in the world. Your perspective is so unique, as you go through the conversion process and take us along with you, at least in part. It needs to be understood by the OUTSIDE world. Because ultimately, it is that outside world that inflicts the horror. It's both things, I think, as you are writing about in real time: the need for insularity within a community in order for the community to heal, and the need for witnesses who can then see the signs in the outer world and, having learned what to look for, use their privilege and power to do what is necessary and possible within their own sphere of influence. Thank you for writing.
❤️❤️❤️
Thank you for sharing this, deep bow 🙏
My husband told me that his father didn’t talk of his experiences until the early 80s when documentaries and movies about the Holocaust were released. There was so much the family didn’t know before that, but then my father-in-law wrote his story, visited schools, and was involved in interfaith relations because he believed that could help prevent a second Holocaust. So much good came out of opening up and sharing his story.
Is he still alive?
Sorry, Jen, I'm just now seeing your question.
My father-in-law passed away ten years ago.
I’m sorry 😞
We must always continue to teach, especially in light of these stark and dangerous data. https://jewdicious.substack.com/p/people-cant-never-forget-what-they
How interesting, bewildering, and understandable. I can't even begin to imagine what I would do were I in their shoes. When I had the chance to ask my elderly relatives, I didn't. Of course, I regret it, but I also excuse my young self for not wanting to go there. This was a great post for Holocaust Remembrance day, thanks Jen!
There are so many things we didn’t ask. It’s as if we didn’t know what to ask then, and now it’s too late. EXCEPT we recently uncovered hours of video footage of my husband’s grandfather. He participated in a project and we didn’t know. This discovery is a treasure I cannot even believe. I plan to write about it here. All of the footage is in Hebrew with no translation yet, so my hubs will need to explain line by line for now.
Thank you for reading ❤️