During the recent Holidays I came across a photo that was described as “historically iconic” – but I had never seen it before:
Even on its face the photo is quite compelling, juxtaposing the Hanukah menorah against the Nazi flag. But the story behind it with its poem on the back resonated with me as a possible preamble – although assuredly (… hopefully) not at all on the same scale – to our impending travails come January 20th.
The picture was taken on the last (eighth) night of Chanukah in 1931 by Rachel Posner, the wife of Rabbi Dr. Akiva Posner, in the small town of Kiel, Germany. As tradition suggests, the menorah was displayed prominently in a street-side window, and the Posners happened to live directly across the street from the Nazi headquarters.
On the back of the photo Rachel composed a poem in German:
Chanukah, 5692 (1932)
"Juda verrecke"
die Fahne spricht
"Juda lebt ewig"
erwidert das Licht"
“Death to Judah”
So the flag says –
“Judah will live forever!”
So the light answers.
When posters began appearing around Kiel declaring “Entrance to Jews Forbidden”, Rabbi Posner was angry and wrote a protest letter that was published in the local paper. Subsequently he was summoned by the chairman of the local branch of the Nazi party to participate in a public debate which took place under heavy police guard.
As anti-Semitic sentiment rose, and then scattered violence began to rear its ugly head, the Posner family fled to then-Palestine (Eretz Israel) in 1933. Fortunately they were able to convince most of their fellow 500 Jews in Kiel to also leave. And they also brought the “Light in the Window” with them.
The menorah is on permanent display at Yad Vashem, Israel’s national Holocaust Memorial. But the family is allowed to use the menorah every year at Hanukah.
To me, the lesson is that we must all stay on guard, lest we deceive ourselves into believing “That could never happen again – at least not in America!”
Sadly, there is a vile person who will lead our nation come January 20, 2017. We must not let our guard down.
RESOURCES
[PS: I know Rachel wrote “1932” – but authorites agree that the eight days of Chanukay in the Jewish year of 5692 was 1931]
http://www.theblaze.com/news/2014/12/22/this-photo-of-a-hanukkah-menorah-captured-a-dark-moment-in-history-the-same-candelabra-now-offers-light-and-inspiration/
http://yad-vashem.blogspot.co.il/2014/12/holocaust-menorah-home-for-holiday.html
https://www.timeanddate.com/calendar/?year=1931&country=34
11 Responses to “Friday PSA from a Historical Photo”
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Cross posted to Care2 at http://www.care2.com/news/member/101612212/4029874
I did see this, but I didn't see the amount of detail you post, and anyway, it bears repeating – over and over and over. Thank you, Nameless.
The picture speaks a thousand words.
We are on the brink of many negative events, and I shudder to think of the future.
Worrisome to me, also, is of our children and grandchildren.
RESIST! RESIST! RESIST!
Thank you for this moving post, Nameless. Sadly, for me stories like these can never be truly uplifting, as the Jews stood alone in their defiance wherever they dared and were able to stand up to the Nazis and ultimately were nearly eradicated from Europe along with other minorities such as Roma.
However that is exactly the message we can and must take away from this post: we need to stand together and resist tyranny. If we allow ourselves to be divided, if we put personal gain before the welfare of a whole nation, then we'll never be strong enough to
RESIST!
A very powerful image and story.
Always remember this: Today the flag is gone, but the light remains.
Very touching!!
Do not believe that it can not happen "here." While we can not predict that it will…we can not predict that it will not. That it might seems impossible? That is what German Jews thought before it happened there; they often thought of themelves as Germans first, as thoroughly a part of the culture as anyone else. And, as I understand, Germany was not, initially, anti-semitic, It flourished elsewhere in Europe in more flagrant ways. Recall that many of the concentration camp guards, at least, were Ukranian.
Thanks Nameless.
Sadly, I think those who think of ourselves as human first can be at a disadvantage when dealing with those who see themselves first, not as human, but as part of a particular group of humans, whatever that group may be. We really are not prepared for the nastiness that may come from that, whether it is directed at us personally, or by someone whose group we are in toward someone in a different group whom we love.
Excellent point, Joanne. Kudos to you.
Namless, that's positively compelling. Thanks!!.
I'm stealing that GIF!!
The GIF is amazing, and the scariest thing about it is the way each eye changes as the swastika goes over it. Talk about Big Brother is watching you!
I've seen the swinging Swastika at several sites – quite creative, particularly because it's so fitting.
Don't know who did it, but it is impressive.