The Holocaust is the singular event of the last century that most marked the face of contemporary Jewish life. It was a shocking example of what cruelties are tolerated by modern civilized states. It devastated the Jewish people, destroying the existing structures of their society. And as Jews struggled to rebuild from the rubble, they were forced to confront their deepest beliefs about what it means to continue to live as a Jew.
Three generations later, many do not know anyone who personally experienced the Holocaust, and are shockingly unaware of even rudimentary information. At the same time, there is an ever-growing flurry of Holocaust deniers spreading their falsehoods. As fewer people are aware of the evidence that refutes their claims, these voices are given more prominence.
Yet, an even greater challenge to keeping the Holocaust alive in collective memory is an attitude
of apathy or resistance toward hearing about the Holocaust. Many see no benefit to dwelling on the painful past, and are uncomfortable with the conflicted emotions it arouses. It is this second challenge that the course primarily seeks to address.
Rather than focusing on history, the course focuses on the continuing relevance of the Holocaust in a new century. We address themes such as altruism, the nature of anti-Semitism, the existence of evil, and the search for meaning in the face of suffering. While the course is open to all who wish to attend, it examines the Holocaust through the lens of classical and contemporary Jewish thought.
It has been said that those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it. Beyond Never Again seeks to ensure that the lessons of the Holocaust are remembered, and that these lessons inspire a new generation to greater tolerance, moral courage, and personal integrity.
For JLI's Virtual Living Holocaust Memorial, see www.BeyondNeverAgain.com