Yad Vashem aka: Israel Holocaust Museum

The thing I remember most about Yad Vashem is the children’s memorial—the room is lit by thousands of pinpoints of light, reflected in mirrors, and there is a voice constantly reading the name of a child who died during the Holocaust (read in the child’s native language). The tour guide told us that if we were to listen to a non-stop reading of the names, it would take 2½ months to get through the list. It’s difficult to not sob your way through the place.

I recommend this place to visitors because everyone needs to see how well documented the holocaust is. Every holocaust denier should vist it. If you are emotional, bring tissues. If you are not emotional, you’ll kick your own pants for not crying.

Intense, needless to say. Exhibits and new building/site are definitely worth the visit. Found it all a bit overwhelming…

It’s sad, but incredible. Don’t miss it!

I laid a rock, sat down on the stone bench and cried for a long time.

Yad Vashem is Israel’s official memorial to the Jewish victims of the Holocaust.

Located in Jerusalem, it consists of a memorial chamber, a historical museum, an art gallery, a Hall of Names, an archive, the “Valley of the Destroyed Communities,” and an educational centre. As well, non-Jews who saved Jews during the Holocaust, often at great personal risk, are honoured by Yad Vashem as the “Righteous Among the Nations”.