On International Holocaust Remembrance Day, January 27, I am reminded of these words: “History repeats itself, so maybe we should pay attention.” A comment from the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum resonated with me. “As we witness the alarming rise of anti-Semitism around the world, it is important that we recognize the important lessons of Holocaust history as we commemorate the victims and honor the history of the Holocaust. It’s more important than ever, survivors.” At the same time, he argues that the American Jewish establishment is exploiting the memory of the Nazi Holocaust for political and economic gain and to further the interests of Israel. There is a growing buzz about the “Holocaust industry.”
Efforts to minimize and completely deny the millions of victims of the Nazi Holocaust surface every day. But as anti-Semitism intensifies around the world, we need to recognize and understand its roots and centuries-old influence. I was heartened to see the room filled to capacity for a presentation on this history by Brendan Murphy, a professor at Marris College in Atlanta. At the event, co-sponsored by Mizpah Congregation and Holy Spirit Catholic Church and planned by Mizpah Congregation Jed Mescon, we were riveted by Murphy’s thorough analysis of the origins of anti-Semitism.
When Murphy received the 2016 Distinguished Educator Award from the Georgia Holocaust Commission, he rightly said, “Holocaust education is a humanizing effort, and how we understand ourselves as human beings. It’s a journey through the past that helps us rethink the subject.” It’s sure to captivate the mind, develop better judgment, and help teach empathy. ”
Murphy analyzes the words of the Gospels, statues in cathedrals, and the writings of Martin Luther to show how hatred of Jews began as a political strategy to establish, justify, and recruit Christianity. Proven. However, over time, the conspiracy theory of Jewish murder, or Jews as Christ-killers, was adopted and strengthened. Furthermore, the Jews did not recognize Jesus as the Messiah and were children of Satan who had broken with God. And the bloody libel in which Jews were accused of drinking the blood of Christian children fueled deadly continuing hatred.
My heart soared when Murphy concluded why we should have hope. He spoke of the Second Vatican Council in the 1960s, which formalized new relations with non-Christians. The Nostra Aetate statement rejected the theory that the Jews murdered Christ and emphasized the continuity of the Jewish people’s covenant with God. Murphy explained that he plans to bring together young Catholic, Jewish and Muslim students to come together and discuss their faith. He is creating a new generation of interfaith diplomats. They will be among our most valued leaders in the future.
Murphy has inspired me as I prepare for my next event at Covenant University. I had been invited to share my father’s wartime letters and the letters of Polish Holocaust survivors. Yes, I was moved, but I was honored. First-hand accounts bring history to life. My intention was to protect students from the trivialization and denial of the Holocaust.
Judging by their questions, the presentation went above and beyond. Several students are now thinking of writing their own family histories in countries ravaged by war and persecution. They bring their internal histories to the surface and help ensure the truth is known. That’s how we prevent history from repeating itself, and we all need to participate.
Contact Deborah Levine, author, trainer/coach, and editor of American Diversity Report, at [email protected].