Frequently, entire groups were lined up on the banks of the Danube facing the river, ordered to take off their shoes, and were shot at the edge of the water so that their bodies fell into the river and were carried away. Shoes, being valuable commodity during World War II, were ordered to leave behind so that they could be collected and traded on the black market. People who visit the memorial light candles or leave behind flowers, placing them inside a particular shoe that touches them or reminds them of someone.
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Sadly it will need to get worse until it gets better. But it is still important to keep talking about what happened since even so many Jews now align themselves against Israel and against their own true Jewish identity. They need to remember that now matter how they view themselves, the world still views them as Jews and there are sadly many who would line them up along the river with Israeli Jews and any others, and shoot them down without a thought.
Maybe they don't want to upset the Germans. I found it ironic that Germany has a big wall painting of the poor little boy who drowned recently-how many children did they kill deliberately? I don't think that they should ever be allowed to live their evil deeds down.
In one book that I have, a woman who was directly involved with some of the killings said that she would never steal, and never had because she was brought up knowing that that was illegal not wrong, she never mentioned that aspect but that the killings WERE legal so she willingly played her part-and she still seemed not to see anything wrong with this.
What could one do with a person who thought like that? They would never change, they couldn't. I was on a trip to Eastern Europe that included Hungary. I found it to be a beautiful country. While in Budapest my hotel was adjacent to the Danube. I have certainly read a lot about the Shoah but I did not remember reading about the specific horrors that took place along the Danube.
While I walked along the river I just kept on thinking that the Danube had run red with Jewish blood. I certainly could not enjoy my time there with this 4efrain running through my head. I never did and never will. I realized that I was only valued for my tourist dollars. I grew tired of seeing museums that used to be shuls. I am not observant but one of my children studied at Aesh and found what he was seeking. He is now in Israel and happy to be living there. Aesh started him on that path.
Very well written, moving and thoughtful piece. I am so struck by the image of these shoes and how they reflect the "souls" of the people who walked in them. Thank you Ms. Deutsch for sharing your impressions with us. Anna , April 2, AM. Today, Hungary is refusing to allow refugees from Syria into it's borders. I guess Hungarians feel their country is different and above helping others that need help!
My father's family perished in Hungary in WW2! My husband and I also were in Budapest last May and were struck by the shoe memoriam and synagogue there, having no idea there was such a beautiful and very large shul, among the largest in all of Europe. Deutsch eloquently puts into words the thoughts we had upon seeing these sights.
I'm not a Jew. My grandfather who has a Spaniard blood gave us a poor orientation of anti-Semitism but thanks to my Mom who's a fan of Mossad featured on the pocketbooks she enjoyed reading and eventually loving Israel and its people gave me the idea of questioning why Holocaust was created to seal hatred among Jews. Up to now there's no acceptable reason for me. There are swastikas on this. This same day I got an invitation from my friend Margery to attend a talk on anti semitism by Sarno this Sundat in Sharon MA at a sponsoring synagogue.
I find it terrifying anti semitism continues.. What you fail to mention is that the people were told to strip naked and then they were shot into the water. We, too, were there last summer. Horrifying to imagine. Ann Canada , March 30, PM. As a Holocaust survivor daughter and daughter in law, please allow me to relate this interesting story.
My father in law, may he be well, is 95 years old. Hungarian Cruise. Cocktail cruise Budapest. Wine tasting cruise in Budapest. Lake Balaton Tour. Hop on Hop off boat tour in Budapest.
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