If you have ever visited the US Holocaust Museum in Washington DC, you will recall the chill that ran up your spine as you entered the elevators, remember the ones that were designed to look like the ovens of Auschwitz.
Your mind started reeling as you began the slow descent down the ramp looking at the exhibits of what life was like in the early 1930’s in Germany. You might have even begun to realize that Germany was among the most advanced societies of Western Europe at that time. But Germany was suffering economic hardships as it struggled to recover from its sins and the hardships endured during World War One. In the early 1930’s, Germany was a Republic with representatives in the Reichstag. Control of the government was vested in the party with the most representatives in government and in 1933, the Nazi party ascended to power and Hitler was appointed Chancellor.
Despite the politics of the day, Germany was an “advanced” society. It enjoyed many of the things we enjoy today. Music, art, literature, holidays and time spent with the family, parks, hiking, and the satisfaction achieved from hard work – because it must be said that the German society of the 1930’s was an industrious society. The German people lived in relatively good harmony with each other – even with one of the larger populations of Jews in central and eastern Europe. Many of the things that marked the reemergence of German culture after World War One directly involved the participation of the Jewish community. In World War One, it is estimated that between 100,000 and 120,000 Jews served in the German army. The Jews of Germany were part of the fabric of the country.
Back to the Holocaust Museum. As you descend the ramp, you cannot help but be taken by the display of shoes – hundreds of thousands of shoes that belonged to the victims of the Holocaust … that belonged to the victims of Nazi Germany’s barbaric effort to kill all of the Jews in Europe.
Think about that – KILL ALL THE JEWS IN EUROPE! The nightmare was ended in 1945 with the military and political defeat of Nazi Germany. Soon historians and scholars of the social sciences began to ask the question: How could such inhumanity to a group of people be brought by a society such as that in Germany at the time? You see, there were no “good” Germans or “bad” Germans – there were just Germans and even if they did not participate in what Hitler called the “Final Solution,” they did not speak out either. They did nothing when they saw their Jewish neighbors carted off to who knows where – their Jewish neighbors simply disappeared from society and no one said a word.
So, since the end of World War Two, Americans and most American Jews have asked themselves many times over – HOW CAN THE HOLOCAUST HAVE HAPPENED? How could so many good-minded people participate in the extermination of an entire race of people?
I think we can answer that question by looking at the world of 2023 and the on-going military activities in Israel. Some two weeks ago, Israel was struck with a surprise attack that was launched from the Gaza Strip by the terrorist organization known as Hamas. Thousands of Israelis were killed. From the old and infirm to babies in their beds. Women were raped and killed, entire families were annihilated, babies were beheaded and many people taken captive. Bodies were desecrated in a most vile way. This was an unprovoked attack against civilians – no military formations or locations were targeted. In response to these horrors, Israel declared war and began to retaliate with the full might of its military.
As this war begins to evolve, a strange and unanticipated phenomenon begins to emerge around the world … but most notably right here in America. The phenomenon is the rise of a very virulent form of antisemitism mixed with significant support for the terrorists and the population of Palestinians that elected them as their leadership in Gaza. It is clear that across college campuses, those who are students today can be heard chanting … “Kill the Jews”, “Gas the Jews” … as they are egged on by members of the United States Congress, including AOC and the Squad.
Ilhan Omar (D) of Minnesota has tweeted hatred on the social media “X” and Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib held a public rally during which she spewed forth information that she knew was wrong … information that falsely accused Israel of intentionally bombing a hospital and killing 500 Palestinians. She knew it was wrong, but she said it anyway.
In Australia, a large crowd in Sydney was recorded chanting “Gas the Jews”. In places like Harvard University, the University of Chicago, New York University, and University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, students gathered in protest are heard chanting the words: “From the River to the Sea” – an idea that clearly denies Israel’s very right to exist – from the Jordan River to the Mediterranean Sea – and perpetrates the myth that the land of Israel was “stolen” from the Palestinians.
This, my friends, is how it starts. The rise in antisemitism in America is palpable. Jews are attacked on the streets just for being Jewish. When the crowds are chanting “Gas the Jews”, the vitriol is unambiguous! If you are a Jew living in America or Australia, or if you are a student on campus, you also feel the hate and break out in a cold sweat.
When you see your own United States Senator, Chris Van Hollen (D) of Maryland, refuse to support a resolution authored by Senator Josh Hawley (R) of Missouri condemning the terror organization Hamas because he is afraid that he might offend those who protest in favor of Hamas – that is when you begin to see just how it happened in Germany and why it can happen here.
I am not naive enough to believe that antisemitism did not exist in the United States long before the current situation or that it did not exist in Germany in 1933. In 1933, the population of Germany was looking for a reason to account for their economic struggles and Hitler found the Jews.
In America today, there are those who … because of the policies of the Biden Administration, are struggling financially, are having trouble finding meaningful work, or are failing to keep up with mounting medical bills. The Administration is telling us, “Things are great,” while you know they are NOT! Left Wing socialists have taken over professorships in our universities and have propagandized generations of youths. The end result is a belief that if there is someone to blame --- well, just BLAME THE JEWS!
As you finish your tour of the Holocaust Museum and exit on to the streets of Washington, you know that you have been made witness to the most barbaric crime in the history of civilized man. As you stroll over to the Mall, you might hear the chants of protestors, antisemitic protestors led by some members of our Congress, such as Omar or Talib. Perhaps you will hear a speech from the steps of the Lincoln Memorial by the likes of Senator Chris Van Hollen as to why radical steps are necessary to please the crowd.
And maybe you will reflect on what you witnessed and felt as you walked down the ramp of the Holocaust Museum … and then you will know … IT CAN HAPPEN HERE!
Yes It’s happening here!! People need to speak out and act. Where are Chuck Shumer, Nadler, Schiff and Blinken speaking against the Squad!! Liberal Jews wanting a cease fire. Israel is fighting for their lives!! I totally support the State of Israel!! N & K Baker