Holocaust Remembered 

It took me a long time to begin to comprehend the horrors of the Holocaust. Six million Jews were killed in incinerators by a maniacal Nazi leader with the whole world seemingly unaware of what was going on in Germany or unable to stop it. After reading some books and viewing some movies about this horrible period, I was ashamed of my heritage and tried to better understand how this could happen in our supposedly civilized, educated world. 

The United States played a large role in ending this terrible extermination of innocent people. But it took six years and the aid of Great Britain, France, Spain, and much of Europe to end it. Then there was still the division of East and West Germany and the rebuilding of the country.  

It seems odd to remember the Holocaust during the Easter season when we celebrate Jesus’ resurrection and his appearances to the apostles and others. But it is a good reminder that such atrocities still happen in our world today.   Jesus was a victim of hatred.  He was crucified and murdered in a most ignominious way, and yet he reached out his hand in forgiveness to his apostles who deserted him and forgave those who killed him. Even Peter who denied him three times got another chance and was appointed head of the Church.  

Let us remember the six million Jews who died in the Holocaust and pray that such horrors will never happen again. This was a shameful time in the history of the world. And it is still shocking that it could have happened in the 20th Century.  May it never happen again. 

Barbara Mayer 

Auschwitz-Birkenau anniversary: A look back at 75 years since ..., PictureAuschwitz-Birkenau anniversary: A look back at 75 years since ..., Picture

Jewish children at Birkenau, Germany- 

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