Bus 1: The Holocaust Museum

          Today, we explored the famous Holocaust Museum. Prior to this, I will tell you that I had a small packet of tissues handy.  I did in fact need them.
          As we entered the building, the walls were made of bricks, and metal. Our guide, Ron, explained to us that the museum was built this way to create a more structured, almost uncomfortable vibe, because the Holocaust was a very sad, uncomfortable event in time.
          Going up the elevators to the top floor, where we would go free on our own and make our way down the levels of information, we were given a mini-pamphlet. This pamphlet contained the short biography of a real Holocaust victim. Each time you decreased a level, you would turn the page and experience how this time effected this particular person. At the end, you would figure out if your person died, or fortunately escaped.
          Each level of the museum displayed a different time period, and what was happening then. From propaganda, to the barracks, the true horror and despair was portrayed immensely throughout the whole adventure. Videos that were a little sensitive to some were put after small walls, so you had to look over them to observe the video being played.  At one point, where I personally broke down, thousands of real shoes taken from Holocaust victims surrounded you, encompassing you in the sad reality of how many people were tortured in those camps. Short films of Holocaust survivors' personal stories played on a big screen, allowing anyone to watch. The eternal flame was set in a room alone down to the last level, concluding the tour.
          One day, I hope to come back here and talk with some survivors, because some other groups got to meet some, and talk with them about their experiences. The Holocaust Museum actually opened my eyes as to how massive and depressing this event in our history truly was.

Ms. Matthews' Note:
          Many students spoke with Henry Greenbaum, whose story is here: Henry Greenbaum USHM  Henry was the same age as Ellie Wiesel when he entered Auschwitz. I wished that everyone had a chance to speak with Henry Greenbaum. He talked to us about the importance of memory, and of our stories -- of the importance for standing up, and of the importance of doing what is right.
          I ask if it was disrespectful to ask if I could photograph his tattoo -- for the students not with us. He said that it was not disrespectful . . . "as long as you take a picture of all of me!" So here is Henry Greenbaum -- all of him!