Our ancestors were murdered. That’s why I fight for Holocaust remembrance.
Regarding “My Jewish ancestors owned slaves. That’s why I’m a rabbi for racial justice,” (Dec. 16):
I became a rabbi to aid the living, to ensure our survival, to rekindle the Jewish flame. I am proud, proud of my heritage, proud of our strength and proud of my beloved parents. Contrary to what we are told, the passage of time does not ease our pain, nor does it diminish the scope of the horror that was the Holocaust. Oh yes, there are those, few in number, who feel that it is psychologically healthier to avoid reminders that keep painful and unpleasant events alive. Why subject our young to the brutal story of Nazi bestiality toward the Jewish people? What purpose will it serve? It would be wiser not to talk about it so that it can disappear.
Never! We must never stop telling this story. Tell it we must, in every gory detail. We must do this because it is our sacred duty to alert them to the evils of men, so that they will never be lulled into a false sense of safety and security. We must alert them so that our children will be vigilant and will never be caught unaware as were the Jews who perished in the Holocaust.
Although we are cognizant that our children will be adversely affected, that they will feel great pain upon learning the true facts of the Holocaust, we know that this is something we must do.
Bernhard H. Rosenberg
Rabbi Emeritus,
Congregation Beth-El in Edison, N.J.
We are an imperfect people
Thank you for the publication of Rabbi Barry H. Block’s story of his family history in the South and the significant contributions of B’nai Israel of Little Rock, Ark., to social justice everywhere (“My Jewish ancestors owned slaves. That’s why I’m a rabbi for racial justice,” Dec. 16). It was painful to read but a reminder that we are an imperfect people. Block can rejoice that his own parents were willing and able to see the social injustices. I am glad he had the willingness to serve B’nai Israel of Little Rock and the entire community.
Janis F. Hochman
Silver Spring
