Jewish Cemetery

Blog Post 1 - 3/19/2016 - Corrine Valenti

 

      Today we visited the only surviving Jewish Cemetery in Oświęcim on the corner of Dąbrowaskiego Street and Wysokie Brzegi Street. This sacred resting place was destroyed during World War II and some of the tombstones were used to make roads in the town. This was a complete disrespect of Jewish culture and human life. Jews were not given proper burials during the war and many were killed in mass graves with their place of death never marked or remembered. Names and identities were lost during this time in history for so many. Fortunately, after the war this cemetery was able to be revived by the help of many dedicated volunteers. Today, there are over 1,000 tombstones that have been preserved but many more that will be lost forever. The tombstones no longer marks the actual graves of loved ones but they stand as a remembrance of all who lost their lives during the War and all those who had their final resting places disturbed. There were a couple of small towers made out of broken tombstones in the center of the cemetery created as a memorial to all those that will never be found.

     After visiting the Jewish cemetery we walked to a Polish cemetery nearby and the contrast between the two was astounding. The Polish cemetery was filled with beautifully preserved tombstones, flowers, candles, and people. It truly fit the description of a "living cemetery" as people filled the rows of graves saying prayers and leaving flowers. The Jews of Oświęcim were deprived of that basic human right to mourn the loss of their loved ones and visit their resting place.
  
      The once thriving Jewish population of Oświęcim is almost nonexistent today as a result of the systematic killing performed by the Nazi's during World War II and the further dispersion that followed after the war. All but one of their synagogues in the town were ruined. The devastation of these people in every aspect is extremely difficult to grasp. The Jewish people have faced dispersion all throughout history and it is so evident in Poland. Even those Jews who had passed away prior to the war were dispersed when their graves were pillaged. As we experience these different aspects of history in Poland today in 2016, it is imperative to become true witnesses. This word "witness" has been used a lot throughout the course and I am slowly starting to develop my own interpretation of it. My goal in taking this course is to grow in my faith, learn of the monstrous capabilities of the human race, and become a more tolerant, generous, and compassionate person. As we attend Auschwitz 1 on Monday for the first time I will be directly faced with the horrific events of the Shoah and hopefully grow as a witness to history.