Cemetery

            In the middle of Oświęcim, Poland is a old Jewish cemetery. The graveyard is surrounded by tall, gray walls closed off by a locked gate that stops any potential visitors without a key. Upon gaining access into the cemetery, it was immediately obvious that this was no ordinary burial ground. On top of the uneven, rocky ground were hundreds of damaged and worn down headstones. Only a mere number of these graves were commemorated with decorations such as lamps, flowers or stones. The atmosphere was gloomy, lonely but saturated with intense history.

            On our brief tour here, we learned that during Nazi reign, Nazi soldiers purposely entered this cemetery with the intent to desecrate and eliminate any memory of the deceased Jews. This was striking news to learn because it showed just how deep the animosity felt by the German’s toward the Jews was. The Nazi’s not only intended to eliminate all existing Jews, but to eliminate even the memory of the Jews by removing any trace of their existence. It is incredibly insulting to disturb the dead, so the Nazi’s willingness to destroy this cemetery is an excellent example of how low the Nazi’s thought of the Jewish people. Similar to this, the way in which the Jews were murdered and disposed of within the concentration camps further shows how little the Nazi’s regarded Jewish life. When we visited Auschwitz, it was easy to see through the gas chambers, crematoria and places such as the death wall the incredible cruelty and irreverence directed towards the Jews.

            The stark contrast between this Jewish cemetery and the Polish cemetery just across the town further exemplifies how the effects of the feelings of hate towards Jews is still seen today. The Polish cemetery was unlocked and open to the public, bustling with visitors carrying gifts such as lamps, flowers, stones and other small trinkets to adorn the dead and the grounds and graves were well kept. While atmosphere is still filled with mourning, it is incredibly different than that of the Jewish graveyard.

The difference in maintenance and visitors within each graveyard can be tied back to the teachings of contempt. The Jewish graveyard must be kept locked so that those who both still maintain anti-semitic feelings taught to them by the teachings of contempt and the attitude of the Jewish hating Nazi’s during the Holocaust do not make an attempt to, once again, harm the resting site of these Jews. In fear of a recurrence of hate, those in charge of maintaining the Jewish cemetery must take certain precautions against acts that the Polish cemetery need not fear. In regards to the lack of visitors to the Jewish cemetery, there is an easy explanation for this; there simply aren’t people to visit. We learned that prior to the Holocaust, there was a significant Jewish population. Now, however, the Jewish population is nonexistent. The Jewish people who lived here prior to the Holocaust either died or chose not to come back here. For this reason, this graveyard has few visitors.

Despite the lack of Jews in Oświęcim, all hope is not lost. There are people who are trying to honor the memory of the Jewish population and the memory of those who have passed. An example of this is the people who restored the cemetery. The numbers on the back of the headstones are significant of the attempts to systematically rebuild the graveyard. It was impossible to save all headstones and to match the headstone to the proper body, but the idea behind the act is incredibly powerful. What might seem like a small acts speak wonders about the work being done to honor and pay respects to the Jewish members of not only this community, but all of the Jews affected by the teachings of contempt and the Holocaust.
The restoration of the graveyard is an example of the teaching of respect. While the acts of hate directed at the Jews cannot be erased or reversed, a better way of thinking can be introduced. A way of thinking that allows for acceptance, not rejection. It is best said by Pope Paul VI when he says to “forget the past and work sincerely for mutual understanding and to preserve as well as to promote together for the benefit of all mankind social justice and moral welfare, as well as peace and freedom” (Nostra Aetate). The important and necessary switch from the teaching contempt to the teaching of respect is noted here. It is imperative to learn from the past so that history doesn't repeat itself and to teach the future generations to learn from our mistakes.