It rained like tears when we visited Yad Vashem

Yad Vashem, the Holocaust Museum, is the place to remember the names of those who died in the Holocaust. Everyone has a name, and it is important to remember this.

On our arrival at Yad Vashem, rain was falling like tears. It is a sad place - a place to remember how so many people failed to stand up and protect Jews when they were being singled out and persecuted. It is chilling to remember what happened, and the Museum holds nothing back. At the same time, those who helped and those who stood up for human rights are also remembered. The top photo shows Avi and me in front of Yad Vashem. The photo was taken after our visit, as it was too wet before.

When we emerged from the Museum, the clouds were lighter and we could see over the City of Jerusalem (bottom photo). But soon, the rain and the tears came again as we entered the memorial to the many children who perished in the Holocaust. It is hard to believe that 1.5 million children died.

And to those who think it cannot still happen, I have been reading recently Romeo D'Allaire's book about the Rwanda genocide of 1994. It is chilling - and a harsh reminder of the need, even today, to stand up and to do what we can to prevent such atrocities wherever they may occur in the world. It is, of course, one reason why the Canadian Museum for Human Rights in Winnipeg is needed.

Shortly after our visit, the rain and the tears stopped. But the memories of Yad Vashem will remain for a long time.