Page 36 - Holyland Magazine - 2017 Edition

Yad Vashem

Forging a Spiritual Connection
to Jewish History

The World Holocaust Remembrance Center in Jerusalem
welcomes Christian visitors to learn the history of the
Holocaust and its meaning for future generations

Dr. Susanna Kokkonen of Europe during WWII, was a defining event The Holocaust Museum, Yad Vashem
in human history. It generated a credibility Photo: Courtesy Yad Vashem
And to them I will give in my house crisis of major proportions in our most basic
and within my walls a memorial and assumptions about the nature of mankind, act for a believer. Ultimately, they paid the
a name (a "yad vashem")…that shall of society, of the modern state, and of our price with their lives, as father Casper died
not be cut off." These words from responsibility as individuals to take a stand in Gestapo custody and sister Betsie at the
Isaiah 56:5 are the very words that against unjust suffering of innocent people Ravensbrück concentration camp. Christian
gave Yad Vashem its name. Isaiah Chapter everywhere. Today we are seeing increasing groups are deeply moved by being able to
56 shows the prophet declaring that God's interest in this topic from Christians share a moment of reflection near the tree
house will in fact be a house of prayer for all worldwide, who recognize the Holocaust as of Corrie ten Boom, father Casper and sister
nations. Looking around at Yad Vashem on a part of universal human experience rather Betsie. The Avenue of the Righteous is a
typical day, you can see visitors from the four than merely Jewish history. beautiful green area where trees planted in
corners of the earth and will be struck by honor of the Righteous among the Nations
how truly this is a place where every nation Many a visiting Christian is familiar with the (non-Jews who risked their lives to save
gathers in learning and commemoration. story of Corrie ten Boom and her family from Jews) are tenderly cared for. It is here that
Haarlem, the Netherlands. The ten Boom Corrie's tree is located.
Most Christian groups touring Israel will family had been praying for the peace of
include a visit to Yad Vashem; some of the Jerusalem for over 100 years by the time the On its campus, Yad Vashem houses indoor
visitors have toured Yad Vashem multiple Nazis occupied the Netherlands. For them, museums, outdoor monuments, gardens,
times. They come because Yad Vashem is hiding Jews at such a time was a natural sculptures and research and education
much more than a memorial or a museum. centers. Visitors touring the Holocaust
The Holocaust, the Nazi murder of the Jews History Museum will be confronted with
individual testimonies, authentic documents,

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