As a third-generation Holocaust survivor, I find the subject surprisingly unresolved to me, often pondering about different aspects of it. One example is my criticism of the Holocaust commemoration in Israel, which emphasizes the uniqueness of the tragedy in a way that makes contemporary acts of genocide not really matter.
[singlepic id=16 w=250 h=240 float=right]I find it refreshing to stumble upon art that tries to discuss the Holocaust, as the subject is somewhat of a taboo in Israel and intelligent discussions are often brushed-off with the ‘there is no comparison’ sentence, useful for all occasions. Noam Akotonas is an Israeli singer/songwriter whose debut album ‘Sweeter than Blood’ (2004) includes a song to my liking: ‘A Trip to Poland’ discusses the practice of sending high school students to WWII extermination camps to ‘bear witness’ quote unquote. Noam, like myself, is very critical of these programs, ran by Israel’s Ministry of Education, raising the oh-so-important question: What are we teaching our children?
Noam was kind enough to send me an ad-hoc English translation to the original Hebrew lyrics. Have a listen:
Noam Akotonas and the Salvation Army – A Trip to Poland – Lyrics:
Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.
| We traveled to Poland, Mummy We were sent to get memories I wrote everything, Yes Mummy Listen to what we got here We arrived at Auschwitz, Mummy And saw the gas chambers in rows We were in a shock that Mummy We had to invite two go-gos We visited the ghetto, Mummy It was so dreadful, Mummy I came back from Poland, Mummy |
נסענו לפולין אמא נשלחנו לספוג רשמים כתבתי הכל כן אמא בואי שמעי איזה קטעים הגענו לאושוויץ אמא לראות את תאי הגזים במלון מרוב זעזוע הזמנו גם שני חשפנים ביקרנו בגטו אמא היה מחריד הו אמא חזרתי מפולין אמא |