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Courtesy Auschwitz Jewish Center
The Chevra Lomdei Mishnayot synagogue (c. 1939-1941).
REGENSBURG, Germany -- A synagogue near the former Nazi death camp Auschwitz is on the verge of collapse, officials warned on Wednesday.
The head of the Auschwitz Jewish Center Foundation, which maintains the historic building in the southern Polish city of Oswiecim, said in a phone interview that the synagogue is on unstable ground and if it is not reinforced soon, it may crumble.
"There are already small cracks visible," Tomasz Kuncewicz said. "A thorough examination found that the ground is unstable and with heavy rain or something similar, anything can happen."
If the Chevra Lomdei Mishnayot Synagogue were to collapse, the only surviving Jewish house of prayer in the city would be ruined.
Oswiecim, once an ordinary town home to a large Jewish community, became an international symbol of the Holocaust when Nazi Germany ran its largest and deadliest concentration camp just two miles from the city center during World War II. Some 1.5 million people, mostly Jews, were killed at the Auschwitz-Birkenau camps.
"Several synagogues were located in the area, and this was the only one not destroyed by the Nazis," Kuncewicz said.
Jacek Bednarczyk / EPA
Students visit the Chewra Lomdei Mishnayot Synagogue in Auschwitz, Poland, on Wednesday.
The synagogue itself seems to trace the tragic path of the Jewish community in the area.
Built around 1913, it thrived until the Nazi occupation. During World War II, the interior was gutted and it was used to store ammunition.
After the war and the liberation of the concentration camp, a group of Jewish survivors restored the building provisionally, but it stopped operating when the small group emigrated from Poland shortly thereafter. In the 1970s, the country's communist government nationalized the building and turned it into a carpet warehouse.
It wasn't until 1998 that the synagogue was turned back over to the Jewish community, a historic first in Poland after the fall of the communist regime in 1989. It was rededicated in 2000 in an effort to rekindle the Jewish community that had been so vibrant in the city decades before.
Today, it is not only a place of prayer, but also a historical site and educational center that draws 25,000 visitors each year.
Organizers are seeking $300,000 for the renovation effort, the majority from donations, but they also are asking for help from government agencies.
Kuncewicz said he hoped to start the repairs this spring: "We are working very hard to raise money for this project, to make sure the synagogue will stand."
Leave a Comment:
It should be dismatled and rebuilt in Israel ---- that would be appropriate and very symbolic - the future lies there not here; let the dead bury the dead.
Perhaps the Germans would contribute all the funds to renovate it and shore it up. Surely Seimans, Mercedes, Krup, and some of the companies that profiteered in the war and are still around could show a little atonement. Perhaps the German gubmint could show a little atonement. After all, only a couple hundred Nazi leaders were tried and executed, thousands of leaders were allowed to restart lives and have families which now seem to be doing quite well. A jesture of kindness now and again should be offered.
Agreed, it would be a nice gesture if some German companies were willing to pitch in, but your comment that only a couple hundred Nazi leaders were tried and executed is a little glib. Millions of German soldiers were basically used as slaves by the Soviets and eventually murdered; millions of German women were raped by the incoming Russian forces. The Germans people paid a hefty price for WW2!
How about Jews actually paying for it themselves? What a novel idea.... want it preserved? Pay up!
If jews pay it, they will most likely turn around and send the bill to US, just like they do for many many other things...
Remember the Iron Condom system? They were shooting like machine guns againsat Palestinian dumb rockets.. Turns out, US was paying for them, so why stop with couple shots.....
Time has a way of washing away generational guilt. How many American's still feel guilty about centuries of slavery in America (actually reinforced in the original Constitution). Not many. The Holocaust, too, will eventually loose its grip on the conscience of humanity. This should be Israel's biggest fear--more so than a nuclear armed Iran.
@B707320C - "generational guilt"? I had no part in slavery or the Holocaust and don't feel, want, or deserve the need to feel guilty.
sicktired & Max108: It's people like you who actually set the flames that started the Holocaust - you with your daily anti-Jewish, neo-nazi rants. If anybody should pay to rebuild the synagogue it should be the likes of you. Perhaps that will be your salvation, poor soul.
They'll ram it down your throat until you feel guilty, kind of like what rabid religious people do.
Guilt, the gift that keeps on giving?
I don't feel like holocaust related guilt is much at play here. This church is the facts. This church is obviously one that the Nazis didn't destroyed. The Jewish population simply need funding to repair a crumbling structure of historical, geographical and humanitarian significance, not only to the Jews but to the Germans and Polish people as well. Feel free to give if you can and are supportive of any of the three groups.
"...and turned it into a carpet warehouse." ... which was known as Ollie's.
Savvy, that is my point exactly. With the least Holocaust victims and Nazis passing away, the guilt ends.
GM Basil. Good post
and excellent idea. Aren't they the two that always say that it's not Jews that they dislike - only Zionism??? For their convenience (and anyone else), I have posted the link to donate here.
https://webformsrig01bo3.blackbaudhosting.com/898A/I-AJCF-Online-Donation
It's a wonderful thing that this Synagogue managed to survive so much. ☺
Kiss my Cherokee a$$ Basil. Don't lecture me on holocaust after what happened to our People. Did anybody pay the Native Americans for the years we have spent in white man's concentration camps? I have several Jewish friends and we get along just fine. But they are not whiners and scammers who want others to pay for their stuff. Millions of other innocent people died in WW2 as well. Why don't you start collecting money for them as well?
@Max^108: Did anybody pay the Native Americans for the years we have spent in white man's concentration camps?
Have you been to Foxwoods or Mohegan Sun? ;-)
In reality, the plight of the American Indian in the US is a quite bit different from the Jew in Nazi Europe: the reservation system didn't include gas chambers. It didn't work the strong and kill the weak. The American Indian is acknowledged to have rights, whereas the Jew had none. It is also illegal to shoot American Indians to alleviate boredom, which not a few Nazis regularly did.
Max: I have attended presentations on ICWA (Indian Child Welfare Act) and the history of Indian residential boarding schools in New York. I have also viewed the DVD "Unseen Tears," just out of an inherent interest. Through these encounters I have met many Cherokee Indians and trust me, you are clearly no shining example of your heritage. You of all people should know better than to spew your virulently anti Jewish rhetoric. And BTW, the Cherokee and Jews might have common ancestry. View the following:
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/848921/posts
http://community.seattletimes.nwsource.com/archive/?date=19940206&slug=1893738
Max: Bigotry and racism stem from ignorance. Educate yourself.
Yes Basil, another fairy tale of a lost tribe you Jews spin... Join the Mormon fantasy club while you are at it. In my band we still do the Ghost Dance and do not care for your culture.
When you only see the interest of Israel in everything around you, I see the interest of my own country, the US. And Israel is just a parasite for my country, always on the take, always whining, and always wanting more while giving absolutely nothing of value in return. That is a definition of a parasite.
and I consider China to be a parasite on my country as well - is that also my racism talking?
Good morning Chef. Astute as always. Max and friends wouldn't be posting here if the article was about a mosque or church.
I would not be talking about a church unless the congregation was trying to con others into giving them money for repairs instead of paying for them out of their own pocket. Jews made plenty of profit from their holocaust industry, so they can afford restoring their place of worship.
Max: Where does it say that the synagogue is trying to "con others." All religious organizations ask for donations. Now you see the "interest of my own country, the US?" The country that stole your land and placed you in "white man's concentration camps?" Man, your contradictory posts demonstrate the extent of your hypocrisy, and all in the name of an inbred hatred towards Jews. I really do feel sorry for you.
@Max: "In my band we still do the Ghost Dance and do not care for your culture." You just buried yourself Max. BTW: I never vote for my own posts, but if I were you I'd certainly do so.
I'm 3/4 white and I live in US so it is my country. Still, I consider myself a Cherokee because I identify with that ethnic group the most. I personally have no grievance with the current generation of whites. And you know next nothing about the current NA culture or practices.
Misleading header. Regensburg is nowhere near Auschwitz - you have the Czech Republic in the way
Excellent point David.
The article bounces us between names and places in Germany and Poland. REGENSBURG, Germany, Auschwitz, southern Polish city of Oswiecim, Holocaust when Nazi Germany, World War II. 1.5 million people, mostly Jews, killed at the Auschwitz-Birkenau, Students visit the Chewra Lomdei Mishnayot Synagogue in Auschwitz, Poland.
A bit of a confusing salad. We shouldn't have to, as you probably did, crack open the maps and history books. With the importance of the events on the Jewish people( and German and Polish as societies and people) this kind of articles should be written more clearly. They are owed that much accuracy.
Another problem with the article and the confusion is that it perpetuates "Hatred", "Nazis", "Jews", "Victims". It was then and is not anymore. Today's Germans are not Nazis and today's Jews are not victims. Let's forgive the Germans without forgetting, and let's empower the Jews without ..??! blaming?(as in blaming the victims for rationalizing purpose maybe).
It's a very difficult subject requiring surgical, accurate, finesse gloves. Maybe an attached map would have clarified the situation.
And really, they just need money to fix the place.
Why is this news?
Please explain
Because you were interested enough to read it and comment on it Ed.
With a lot going on in the world in the last two days this minor story is a distraction from more important issues. It appears to be an attempt to use cultural guilt to get donations.
While the story may be a conscern to 2.3% of the population, the much more serious situation in North Korea has disappeared. That should concern all.
Just because you don't find this article interesting or news worthy doesn't mean that others won't. You need to enlighten yourself a bit and start thinking of others - rise above your narcissism sir!
Well Ed it wasn't headline news and even if it does concern only 2.3% of the population that's still worth a story. Also if someone wants to donate that's their business, I don't see a problem with it. As for North Korea you may have a point. However I don't think this tiny story is responsible for pushing it off the front page.
This is news in the same way that a story about a church group doing some good deed is news: It's called "human interest". People don't always want to see the "bad news" in the world; sometimes, they want to see something that can be a bit more relatable.
Europe is battling huge economical problems with some of its member states not being able to get over the rounds. That means that lives of millions is really endangered as well as their future.
The US is battling an enormous economical low (which unfortunately it might not be able to get out from) which has already empoverished millions of Americans. However, with 1 in 7 Americans living out of food tickets, the US Governmetn still sends yearly $ 3 billions to Israel, which actually means it pays for keeping a failed state alive.
The whole world is involved in many territorial wars and disputes, hundred thousands of people are dying every day somewhere.
And amids this very very alarming situation that endangers millions peoples lives, this article suggests us that we have to spend some MORE money to an already greedy group of people for them to keep up standing a stupid house? Go to hell with your unamassed GREED.
Why don't do the members of that congregation or their sons and daughters put efforts together to keep it up? It cannot be that hard. And if they don't own the knowledge how to do it, then they should put money together themselves and keep that house/synagogue up and alive. Where's the problem with that?
In Ed's world, we should all ask Ed what he deems the single most important, newsworthy topic. That's all the medial should report on and that's all we should comment on. Period. Please do keep us informed, Ed, so we know what should be important enough.
ED - History is just one damned thing after another, huh?
LM - Shove it up your ass.
KK, Why are you so hostile to LM's suggestion that the congregation pay for its own repairs or refurbishments? As an American who lives about four months of the year in Germany, I have no doubt that while we should never forget, we should also move on.
LM - not sure why you're so upset about this. If you don't want to donate money, then don't. Nobody is saying you have to - give your money to a cause that you care about.
Single... and LM,
"this article suggests us that we have to spend some MORE money to an already greedy group of people for them to keep up standing a stupid house? Go to hell with your unamassed GREED."
When you make statements like this you remind us exactly why articles like this are important and why should never forget and why it's important to fight for every synagogue.
Don't worry Jewish community will restore the synagogue without your help, but there is no way we are letting you just move on and pretend Holocaust never happened.
Anti-Semitism is alive and well as personified by Ed and LM. I'm not Jewish, but I respect Israelis, and I'm utterly fed up with the anti-Semites' ranting and raving. What a picture they present of themselves.
I wish the planet still had a Devils Island to accommodate people like them... in a lovely tropical environment where they learn what life and survival is really all about.
Ed and Lm are exactly right...when a whole culture and religion is known for being greedy...they are right on point...I hope the stupid building falls down.
When it's a non-jew getting rich, you say "what a good businessman." When a jew gets rich, it's "greedy jew".
Bingo, Steve!
As to those who say, "Why doesn't the congregation pay for it?": Re-read the article, which says, "...a group of Jewish survivors restored the building provisionally, but it stopped operating when the small group emigrated from Poland shortly thereafter." In short, there IS NO MORE congregation. Post-war Poland, unlike post-war Germany, remained, and still remains even today, hostile to the Jews, whereas Germany has a vibrant Jewsih community approaching 100,000 in number. It might be a more valid question to ask, why do not various Jewish groups, including primarily whichever one claims guardianship over the site, pay for its restoration? That's probably a good idea. There was a reason, you know, why the death-camps were located mostly in Poland, with others in the Ukraine and other parts of Europe east of Germany proper: The German Nazi government feared that the German people wouldn't have put up with it, and in fact the Nazis went to a great deal of trouble to hide the "Final Solution" from their own people. On the other hand, in Poland and the Ukraine, the SS and Gestapo found a populace more than willing to turn a blind eye, several of whom were falling all over themselves to collaborate as camp-guards. Not only should the Jews take care of the restoration themselves, or let the empty building bereft of a congregation fall as they may choose, they should adamantly refuse Polish money. Jews should do it themselves, or don't do it at all, and to hell with Poland.
@Bigger_in_Texas: Post-war Poland, unlike post-war Germany, remained, and still remains even today, hostile to the Jews, whereas Germany has a vibrant Jewsih community approaching 100,000 in number.
You're missing a piece there, BiT. Yes, there has been and still is some anti-Jewish feeling in Poland, especially right after the war. However, Poland was occupied by the Soviets until 1989. That's a forty year delta from West Germany's rebuilding. Having travelled to Poland half a dozen times over the years, I can tell you that even in 1994 it wasn't a hot spot for immigration of ANY kind and even today it's not as modern as some of it's western neighbors.
On the other hand, in Poland and the Ukraine, the SS and Gestapo found a populace more than willing to turn a blind eye.
Well yes. When you live in an occupied state and the guys with the guns are giving orders, you tend to not do anything for fear of going to the camp or just being shot yourself. It is noteworthy that the Nazis also killed in the camps 1 million Polish *non-Jewish* intelligencia, priests, and of course there was the Katyn Forest Massacre of the Polish Army Officers.
Also, you might want to give this a read: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-radio-and-tv-17741185.
Rather sad when " We should never forget "....is already forgotten
I agree with ED-2874315. Given everything that is happening in the world, this is hardly front page news.
I'm sure that all the Jews reading this article find it interesting. Your racist comments are not necessary.
Calling the benign statement from Lord Tuckernut racist is in itself an indication of racism on your part, AE.
And your branding anyone who does not agree with you, a "racist" --- is also NOT necessary, AE.
Europe is battling huge economical problems with some of its member states not being able to get over the rounds. That means that lives of millions is really endangered as well as their future.
The US is battling an enormous economical low (which unfortunately it might not be able to get out from) which has already empoverished millions of Americans. However, with 1 in 7 Americans living out of food tickets, the US Governmetn still sends yearly $ 3 billions to Israel, which actually means it pays for keeping a failed state alive.
The whole world is involved in many territorial wars and disputes, hundred thousands of people are dying every day somewhere.
And amids this very very alarming situation that endangers millions peoples lives, this article suggests us that we have to spend some MORE money to an already greedy group of people for them to keep up standing a stupid house? Go to hell with your unamassed GREED.
Why don't do the members of that congregation or their sons and daughters put efforts together to keep it up? It cannot be that hard. And if they don't own the knowledge how to do it, then they should put money together themselves and keep that house/synagogue up and alive. Where's the problem with that?
LM - They are not asking the "world to spend money"... and it is not a "stupid house". Read the article again (if you can read at all). I suggest you also do some research into the holocaust to understand why this last Jewish synagague in this particular location represents so much to these people.
It is shortsighted to assume that the only people interested in this story are Jewish people. Many of us are capable of understanding, empathizing, and caring about stories that have nothing to do with our own religion (or race or gender or sexual orientation or any other variable). It's beyond sad to me that for too many people the only stories of interest are those that relate to their personal demographics and experience.
I had no idea that there was a contest to see what stories might be truly newsworthy. Perhaps someone could explain the ranking criteria. Maybe 1.5 million souls passing is of no consequence to some people and should be forgotten.
When I clicked on comments I expected to see some more reverential comments about the horrors of war and how whole cultures could be wiped out. Instead I see racist and hateful comments from some of the world's leading asshats.
This Synagogue is a very important part of history for all of us, not just for Jewish people. If you cannot see the universality of it, I feel sorry for you. Those who do not learn from history are doomed to repeat it.
Lisa
Universality would be remembering the 31-48 million other civilians killed in WWll in addition to the 6 million jews killed. These millions are usually forgotten by those who use the tragedy of the holocaust to advance an agenda.
ED,
Is anyone keeping you from remembering other victims of Holocaust?
Whenever I hear accusations that other victims "are usually forgotten by those who use the tragedy of the holocaust to advance an agenda", which I assume to be a hint at Jews, I invite those who post it to express there support for other groups who were on the same hit-list as Jews:
Gypsies, Belarus, Catholic priests, mental patients and gays.
I am Jewish, and yet am fully aware of the sufferings of all those groups and ready to give my support to all of them and will welcome a tribute to any of them.
For some reason, those who make statements like yours, are never in a hurry to express concern for any of the above, especially the last group on that list, but by all means, prove me wrong.
I am not Jewish but this story is important to me. The horror of what happened all of those years ago and that it could happen again, is important to me. This synagogue stands as an historical center as well as a place of worship. Given where it is and what happened there, it should be preserved. When I was in college, I visited a concentration camp where I spent one of the most horrific hours of my life. We must not forget and we must all do what what we can to be the change agents that the world needs so the horror of the camps is never repeated.
Nice comment Missy.
I'm not Jewish either, yet find this story important as well. Many years ago, I visited a concentration camp site. I can still feel the "chills". If people cannot understand the importance of this particular synagogue, then I respectfully suggest taking (or retaking) a basic history class.
A few thousand Jehovah's witnesses were also killed in concentration camps.
Eli
The point is not that I remember all the victims of WWll. (I chose for the sake of brevity not to give a complete breakdown of the numbers killed by country, aptitude, religious, or sexual preference.)
Try this Eli. In the next 10 conversations that you have where the Holocaust is mentioned, help those you are talking to, to remember not only the other groups that were gassed, but all the civilians, at least 37 million and as high as 54 million, whose lives were snuffed out. Then get them to do it as well.
War has become sanitized for television. When I hear people banging the drums of war, they generally do not comprehend the consequences to civilians in those countries. Half a million Iraqi civilians dead because if the US invasion. It is always the civilian that suffers the most in war. The more people that remember this consequence of war, will more they will pressure their elected representatives to go to war only when it is absolutely unavoidable. Let's try to keep innocent blood where it belongs, coursing through veins and arteries.
I don't think I would want to live in an area where there was (and probably still is) so much evil by a society. Those people stood by and let Hitler and the Nazis take over. Although many are now dead would not want to be a neighbor to them or their descendants. Pretty sad.
LM - there ARE no congregants. They were all killed in the Holocaust. No one is asking you for money.
ED,
Yes, in any war there are civilians who get caught in a cross-fire, and the civilians who end up killed by marauders or just those enjoy killing and jumped at the excuse. No one forbids you to pay tribute to such victims.
Also, for your information, any Memorial ceremony of the Holocaust that I've ever been to included a tribute to those civilians who risked their lives and often lost their lives helping Jews (or any of the other groups I've listed) hide or flee from the Nazis. Also, a tribute to those who died for simply speaking up against the Nazis, even though they did not belong to any of the targeted groups.
I don't believe I know anyone who would have a problem with a tribute to all victims of WWII, including those of all nations and all causes of death.
However, it was unique to WWII that several groups of people were sentenced to death just for being born a certain way. That is a special kind of cruelty that some of us believe to deserve special attention and very much worth remembering.
Missy, you said, The horror of what happened all of those years ago and that it could happen again, is important to me. Noted, and if anyone thinks otherwise, that genocidal war "can't happen," just consider this (courtesy of Wikipedia): The Kellogg–Briand Pact...was a 1928 international agreement in which signatory states promised not to use war to resolve "disputes or conflicts of whatever nature or of whatever origin they may be, which may arise among them"... It was signed by Germany, France and the United States on August 27, 1928, and by most other nations soon after. Yet only eleven years later, Europe was engulfed in a war which, by 1943, had become a cover for a genocidal effort against several groups, on a scale and level of organization never seen before or since.
I have yet to see a post from wilsonarden that wasn't deleted.
The synagogue should be rebuilt, and all the Jews on Palestinian lands can move there and worship.
Booyah 2 problems solved.
Hey, John booyah, since there are no "Palestinian lands, there can be no Jews on such lands. Hence there is nobody to move to Poland. Very sad that you continue to see a "Jewish problem" even on a story about a synagogue two miles from where millions of Jews were murdered by someone else who perceived such a "problem" a mere 70 years ago.
70 years ago, when 90% of the world population wasn't even born.
I know the holocaust was a terrible period in human history, and we need to be reminded, but no need to beat us over the head with it every chance you can.
If you are saying we don't need a monument to remember (and that is what this synagogue is), then let's take this to a higher level. Why do we need the Statue of Liberty. It's just a waste of an island. Washington Monument, Stonehenge, Sistine Chapel, any artifact in Vatican City....
Why do we care? Because it represents our past. Whether we want to relish in it or remember what went wrong. The Statue of Liberty represents freedom and a new life. The many artifacts in Italy represent the birthplace of Catholicism. Would you argue that these are not worth maintaining. Let's let our US memorials crumble. What a waste of money.
You can't have it both ways. These artifacts in Europe are a very important reminder of what humanity should and should not do. If you don't see that, I feel sorry for you.
The synagogue should be rebuilt, and all the Jews on Palestinian lands can move there and worship.
When will the Muslims give Constantinople back to the Orthodox Christians?
They've had it for 560 years now, and that's almost 9 TIMES longer than the Jews have been back in Israel.
The point of the story is NEVER FORGET. This synagogue and sacred ground NEEDS to stand as a reminder to all the lost souls at the hands of the Nazi's. This happened in our lifetime and I find your comments very small minded.
I agree. People are all ready forgetting. There are people saying it never happened. There are fewer and fewer survivors left. This is a topic that needs to be remembered. Always.
Also remember the 31-48 million other civilians killed in WWll in addition to the 6 million jews killed. They are usually forgotten when the holocaust is mentioned. They are just as dead, and in most cases, suffered horribly before death.
ED,
Sounds like you would've loved it in USSR, where they used to simply leave the part about Jews out of the school books and make it sound like Nazis were just killing people at random.
Eli100: they didn't kill them at random. They killed 'em on purpose and with a plan. They trained for it.
On the other hand, in US schools I learned about the 6 million Jews in history class, while nobody ever mentioned the 20+ million soviet citizens that died.
Europe is battling huge economical problems with some of its member states not being able to get over the rounds. That means that lives of millions is really endangered as well as their future.
The US is battling an enormous economical low (which unfortunately it might not be able to get out from) which has already empoverished millions of Americans. However, with 1 in 7 Americans living out of food tickets, the US Governmetn still sends yearly $ 3 billions to Israel, which actually means it pays for keeping a failed state alive.
The whole world is involved in many territorial wars and disputes, hundred thousands of people are dying every day somewhere.
And amids this very very alarming situation that endangers millions peoples lives, this article suggests us that we have to spend some MORE money to an already greedy group of people for them to keep up standing a stupid house? Go to hell with your unamassed GREED.
Why don't do the members of that congregation or their sons and daughters put efforts together to keep it up? It cannot be that hard. And if they don't own the knowledge how to do it, then they should put money together themselves and keep that house/synagogue up and alive. Where's the problem with that?
Must you post this over and over... enough already!
Your attitude can also be applied to findings related to Christianity and it's "stupid" artifacts---right???
The artifacts of religion aren't stupid draws an important point in human history when humans began making @!$%# up to explain things they didn't understand, they are like Dinosaur fossils, only much younger.
Somewhere we were told that "to ignor the mistakes of the past will condemn us to repeating them in the future!!"
Maybe our Congressmen and women would like to donate some of our American tax dollars to fix the synagogue. We support Israel, what is one more expense?
Wait a minute. It appears Israel is doing quite well. Look at these figures.
Israel's economy is
thriving in a global economic meltdown. The Jewish state's 2009-12 economic
growth of 14.7 percent leads all the advanced countries of the world, followed
by Australia with 10.7; Canada 4.8; United States 3.2; Germany 2.7; France 0.3;
European Union minus 1.5 percent.
Hey, if this is true, why does America have to continue to send billions of dollars each year to Israel? Why did we pay for their "Iron Dome" missile defense system, to the tune of 1 billion dollars. The Republicans say we have no money for social problems at home, but jump up at the mere mention of Israel.
I would think it similar to the United States maintaining Forts in the western terrotories of our country to protect our interests in days gone by--so consider Israel and others as 'Forts' protecting our interests now World Wide!!!-----same difference--right?
Indeed, given this country is broke, let's get a handout from Israel.
However, getting money from Israel would be like Charleton Heston and his gun.
"Cold dead hands".........funny.
Live it to antisemites to turn an article about Holocaust into and excuse to bash Israel.
You guys want to know why US sends money to Israel, I can tell you:
1) Israel shares their tech discoveries with US.
2) Israel shares intelligence with US.
3) Israel does indeed serve as a fort in the enemy territory, because all those who keep attacking Israel are too busy to attack US.
4) All the money given to Israel come straight back to US in the form of weapons purchase, creating jobs here.
Now, would any of you please tell me why we give money to Egypt, Pakistan, Palestine and other Islamic states.
Time to stop all foreign aid, and help Americans for once.
Dick. Time to stop helping everyone including Americans, if those Americans are running around with some entitlement attitudes.
We have families with multi-generational welfare benefits. Something is seriously messed up there.
We should not be sending so much of our money overseas to ANY country, including Israel. Let their people support their country. They have tons of money. All foreign aid should be cut at least in half, if not more. We send those bastards money in the Middle East and they still hate our guts. I say to hell with them.
Eli, your pro jewish, anti - anyone else who doesn't agree with you is more like what a kindergartner would say than anything else. Let's get some of your facts straight though.
Live it to antisemites to turn an article about Holocaust into and excuse to bash Israel.
You guys want to know why US sends money to Israel, I can tell you:
1) Israel shares their tech discoveries with US. - First, know that not all jobs are sent over to India. Many of the IT/Help Desk/Support call centers these days are sent to Israel. So when you say they "share" their tech discoveries, its because the US is sending 1000's and 1000's of jobs to Israel just like the $30Billion we sent to Israel so they can Protect themselves against Palestine. That's a JOKE!
2) Israel shares intelligence with US. Funny, go out and google any combination of Israel, spying on America, etc and you will see the total number of instances where intelligence was used against the US and how the US has caught those trustful Israelis spying on their so called most loyal friend.
3) Israel does indeed serve as a fort in the enemy territory, because all those who keep attacking Israel are too busy to attack US. Really??? Let's just say 9.11.01. that is probably the worst arguement I've ever heard. When Israel gets attacked, they'll know it and it won't just be 1980 style weapons that are flying over tel aviv like firecrackers.
4) All the money given to Israel come straight back to US in the form of weapons purchase, creating jobs here. All the money ($30 Billion annually) given to Israel is approved by congress and is taken out of the same budget that every other US progam like medicare, medicaid, social security, etc. It's all coming from US taxpayers!!!!
Now, would any of you please tell me why we give money to Egypt, Pakistan, Palestine and other Islamic states. We give money to these countries because of our reliance on oil from the cars that we drive and what heats our homes in the winter. Throughout history, we have supported numerous Islamic nations, terrorist nations and it seems as that won't end too soon!
TJ,
I am not anti-anyone, but your rants are indeed antisemitic, you want to keep goind through points, fine by me:
1) "when you say they "share" their tech discoveries, its because the US is sending 1000's and 1000's of jobs to Israel just like the $30Billion we sent to Israel so they can Protect themselves against Palestine." - I never said they share those discoveries out of goodness of their heart, that's how an alliance works, both sides do something for each other.
However, would you please specify what jobs are sent to Israel, because I haven't heard of any.
Also, the amount sent to Israel is $3 bi, not $30 bi.
2) "google any combination of Israel, spying on America, etc and you will see the total number of instances where intelligence was used against the US and how the US has caught those trustful Israelis spying on their so called most loyal friend."
Do you honestly believe that any of our allies never spied on us? Politics involve everyone always spying on each other, including allies, that does not change the fact that Israel also provides intelligence for USA.
3) "Israel does indeed serve as a fort in the enemy territory, because all those who keep attacking Israel are too busy to attack US. Really??? Let's just say 9.11.01. that is probably the worst arguement I've ever heard. When Israel gets attacked, they'll know it and it won't just be 1980 style weapons that are flying over tel aviv like firecrackers."
Yes really. Those who brought 9/11 about, would be more than happy arrange more of those, and if they are busy with Israel, it's good for USA. And yes Israelis know it when they are facing rocket attacks from Lebanon and Gaza, or lynching mobs form all borders at once, and if they face a more serious attack they will be ready for that as well.
4) "All the money ($30 Billion annually) given to Israel is approved by congress and is taken out of the same budget that every other US progam like medicare, medicaid, social security, etc."
This statement is simple bs. Once again the money that goes to Israel is $3 bi, not $30 bi and compared to the amounts that go to all the government programs listed it's petty pennies.
"It's all coming from US taxpayers!!!!"
US taxpayers would not be able to pay those taxes if they had no jobs, and the corporations are less likely to hire people when they loose customers. Israel has been a good customer to american corporations.
Also, US taxpayers vote, and we vote for those who support Israel, because we believe that the benefits of being allies with Israel as well as the fulfillment of doing the right thing are worth a little bit in taxes.
"We give money to these countries because of our reliance on oil from the cars that we drive and what heats our homes in the winter."
Now that's a funny explanation. We have great supplies of oil in TX, Alaska, in the ocean. We have plenty of other sources of energy, such as natural gas, solar power, wind power. And yet, instead of using all those resources we have to rely solely on foreign oil.
On top of that, we are not just paying for the oil, but also give away about $20 bi per year to those nations as an aid. A good chunk of it goes to the nations that don't even have oil.
However, all of them use that money not to feed the hungry, but to buy weapons and use those against us. Wonderful.
TJ: Get educated.
"Making Sense Of U.S. Foreign Aid To Egypt And Elsewhere
With Egypt in turmoil, it's widely being reported that the United States gives $1.5 billion in foreign aid to the government in Cairo each year. And with the U.S. at risk of running a $1.5 trillion deficit this year, that means it's only a matter of time before budget hawks start picking apart U.S. foreign aid.
The $1.5 billion requested for Egypt in the president's fiscal year 2011 budget puts the country fourth on the list of recipients for aid managed by the State Department and the United States Agency for International Development. Only Afghanistan ($3.9 billion), Pakistan ($3.1 billion) and Israel ($3 billion) have more aid requested for them. Most of the money for these four countries is allocated for "peace and security," a broad category that includes combating drug traffickers and terrorists as well as preventing the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction. In Egypt specifically, $1.3 billion of the requested amount this year is for "peace and security."
U.S. foreign aid has a variety of goals. Among them, lifting people out of poverty, promoting democracy and economic stability worldwide, and bolstering strategic alliances. According to the government's user-friendly Web site, www.foreignassistance.gov, Uncle Sam doles out "more than $58 billion a year in foreign assistance through more than 20 agencies." More than half of that, roughly $37 billion, is managed by the State Department and USAID.
You may be surprised to learn that most countries outside of Western Europe, Canada and Australia get foreign aid from the U.S. This year the requested amount for Russia was $68.7 million. For China, it's $12.9 million. A whopping $647.7 million has been allocated for Nigeria. Even $20 million is set aside for communist Cuba. Again, these figures are the requested amounts for 2011–Congress is still trying to figure out how much to spend during the current fiscal year–and they only include aid to be managed by State and USAID. They don't include money that finds its way into these countries through U.S. regional foreign assistance offices or offices that deal with specific issues like health or agriculture.
Where does the money come from? Taxpayers, of course. But before you get entirely bent out of shape about your hard-earned cash being shipped off to Beijing or Havana, have a look at where it's going, or at least where it's supposed to be going. In Russia, for example, most U.S. foreign aid is used to promote democracy and human rights. In Cuba, all of it has been set aside for this purpose. In China and Nigeria, more than half of the requested budget for foreign aid to those countries is aimed at helping those countries fight HIV/AIDS. The U.S. foreign assistance budget for Israel is devoted entirely to security issues, but in Afghanistan it goes to a variety of projects, including education, infrastructure development and maternal and child health, as well as security.
The classic criticism of foreign aid is that it ends up supporting corrupt or authoritarian regimes. That's the question the Obama administration is going to have to sort out as the situation in Egypt evolves. However, from a purely budgetary perspective, it's not much of an issue. Total U.S. foreign aid in 2010 was about 1.7% of the U.S. budget. By any measure, the $1.5 requested for Egypt this year–down from $1.8 billion in 2006–is a lot of money. But put it in perspective. As part of the Troubled Asset Relief Program in 2008, Uncle Sam invested $100 billion in Bank of America, Citigroup, JPMorgan Chase and Wells Fargo collectively in order to prop up the financial sector. Earlier this week, Chevron reported earnings of $5.3 billion the last quarter of 2010 alone.
Does that mean budget hawks shouldn't scrutinize the $1.5 billion that goes to Egypt, or any foreign assistance for that matter? Of course not. But for those serious about reducing the deficit, foreign aid is hardly the place to start. Instead, try entitlements. Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid make up almost half of federal spending each year."
http://www.forbes.com/sites/brianwingfield/2011/01/29/making-sense-of-u-s-foreign-aid-to-egypt-and-elsewhere/
Israel gets far more than the 3 billion each year. Donations to Israel are tax deductable to the Jewish billionaires in thsi country who send millions to Israel each year. No other nation enjoys that giant loophole.
We just paid 1 billion for their "Iron Dome" missile defense system and of course we have the 3.5 trillion dollar war in Iraq, which was planned and sold by Zionist Jews, with false intelligence from Israel as a reason. We routinely have forgiven all loans to Isreal before they become due. Gee, I wish my bank would do that for me.
A bill to stop aid to Egypt was just defeated by people whose main arguement was that stopping military aid to Egypt would harm Israel. Aid to Egypt is really a bribe in order to have Egypt maintain security on Egypt's southern border. Egypt is truly a country in need, whereas, Israel is not in need.
With Israel, it is a matter of greed.
Our national park infrastructure is failing. Lets fix that. Let's let the Poles, Israelis, Germans, or the jews of the world fix this synagogue.
Relax, no one expects you to contribute to the synagogue.
Any money you could contribute would probably smell rotten pork anyway.
No one is asking the US for money. It's an article for goodness sake. Keep your precious money!
Man, @!$%# those nazis!!! I'm hoping that they are frying in eternal hell as we speak!!!
To Hell with Hitler!!!!
US economic aid to Israel ended in 2007. Now Israel only receives military aid from the US in the form of grants and loans, the vast majority of which must be used to purchase US military equipment. Thus, this aid program supports the US economy.
But this story has nothing to do with Israel anyway. This story is about an important historical site, a symbol of the consequences of unchecked tyranny that led to a holocaust that must be remembered and memorialized by all humanity.
Don't use US Tax dollars to help fix it.
Let the Jews take care of the problem.
Shurely if it's that historic to them, they can fix it.
NO ONE IS ASKING FOR US TAX DOLLARS. Did you READ the article, or are you just angry all the time because it makes you feel all good inside?
Anti-Semitism is alive and well... It doesn't take a genius to figure out why this structure is historically significant. Why should other Jews be the ones to fork out the money for repairs? Do you realize the millions (maybe even billions) of dollars that was stolen from them by the Nazis? The German government should be falling all over itself to make these repairs at the cost of the government. WTF does Israel have to do with a synagogue in Germany? That's like saying that the US should be responsible for any Mormon church in the world. See how idiotic the country/religion argument is now?
It's actually in Poland.
Maybe one of those Swiss banks that are still holding onto Jewish gold can scrape together some cash.
Seriously, though - it's not like we're talking trillions of dollars. I'm sure they'll be able to get it together without too much drama.
At least there is one still there. One thing for sure, there is no Synagogue nor Church nor Temple allowed anywhere near either Mecca nor Medina. I guess the Nazis were a lot more tolerate than the followers of Mohammed.
Germany hasn't paid enough. They owe humanity until this Earth no longer exists.
Sort of like Humans need to become extinct, so they don't ruin the planet for the millions of other species.
or
The U.S. government hasn't paid enough to native Americans for raping, killing, and stealing their land,
or
Mao Tze Tung or Josef Stalin or _______— fill in the blank.
A major reason for the start of WW2 and the rise of Hitler, populace was tired of the slogan "Germany hasn't paid enough" from WW1. If that is the case, imagine what China still owes the world due to genocide by Mao?
JPD, your comment is completely absurd. Germany has paid and overpaid on its war reparations along with its commitment to Israel. Actually, Germany is the ONLY country to ever pay back the war reparations to the US. By the sounds of it, you probably don't get out to travel much but Germany is a haven for foreigners like Turks, Americans, Jews and more. Their tolerance, unlike yours for Germans or Germany from what it sounds, was based on their own commitment to make Germany a better place. It is and Germany today is one of the mostly highly respected and sought after countries to live and do business with. Get educted.
T.J.1968 - Sounds like you are the one who needs an education here son. They EXTERMINATED innocent humans. It's not like they can claim that the people they exterminated were the results collateral damage from war time bombing - they EXTERMINATED them like insects. There will never be enough they, the country of Germany or the ancestors of the Nazis could ever do to make their actions forgivable. Nothing!
JDP, Yhe "they" to whom you refer were all criminals of the worst sort. They are all gone, now.
They as in the entire nation of Germany owe the world to it's very end.
You apologists all say the same thing "They are all gone" "Move along...nothing here anymore" etc...
Your hero like to say about "his" empire lasting a thousand years - well it will take at least of thousand years of humiliation of the German people before they even come close to forgiveness. Even then, it would not be enough,
the german and austrian people of today have -- and had -- virtually nothing to do with the barbarism of the murdering nazis. you are a fool for suggesting otherwise. we certainly need to learn from history and never repeat its horrible mistakes in allowing criminals to take over. however, trying to extract even more contrition from people who did not exist at the time atrocities were committed can only result in outcomes you do not want. your reference to my "hero" of someone i detest and condemn is nonsensical. perhaps you need to adjust your meds. shalom.
So it's a one way street for you. The families who have been forever broken by the Nazis must go on suffering that pain while the families of the Nazis who exterminated humans should not suffer. These Nazi families and the families of those who supported them should suffer for eternity. Just as the families who had their relations exterminated.
You can go all you want - it will never be enough.
Sorry, JDP, But, we are only human and subject to human limitations. Most compassionate and understanding people, while wishing they could do more, simply cannot -- due to the limitations of our human condition. There is simply nothing more that can be done to undo history's wrongs. I honor my dead ancestors who did quite a bit to end the suffering of yours. But, I do not personally take credit for their unimaginable valor. I am sorry for your pain. Good luck to you.
As a child I remember an old neighbor lady living in the third floor of a rental home on our block. We knew the man living in the upper attic apartment was a Russian Jew who managed to come to America after WWII. We never knew much about him. My Mom and I met this neighbor lady one night and she invited us to come in and talk. We discovered she had been in a concentration camp and showed us her arm with the numbers tattooed. She was a lovely, kind and proud woman - something I have never forgotten. I think this synagogue is of great importance to anyone having lived through those horrible times and for all who appreciate and understand their (Jews, Russians, Poles, Gypsies, Gays, etc.) suffering at the hands of the Nazis. This synagogue is important for all people - all denominations - all who care about the wrongs of war and torture.
can't really say that. Most of the scum involved is either dead or close to it. Can't blame a country for a bunch of idiots from 60 some odd years ago.
Hey, LM2418400 -- hey, we get it: you can copy and paste! WOO HOO! What talent! I am SO impressed. Keep posting the same thing, because we all know repetition = fact.
The scum had spawn...who had spawn who will have spawn. They ALL must pay to the end of time.
The sins of the parents are visited upon the children to the 3rd and 4th generation, huh? Seems you are forgetting about Grace.
As long as they keep making great cars and beer - and propping up the EU economy...
JDP, Give it up. Your attitude here is precisely the one forced on the vanquished nation of Germany at the end of WWI. You see where that attitude got you. No? Let us remember history's lessons -- ALL of them.
why was 6 million Jews in Germany to begin with? and what was the actual intention during those times? you need look no further than hollywood, mainstream media, world banks etc etc.... bernia madoff ring a bell?... enron? adelphia cable??? germany is for germans PERIOD
The Germans rounded them up from all over Europe, most were likely from Poland.
Hitler was an Evil @!$%#, if Hitler had never came to power and the holocaust never happened, there might actually be peace in the middle east, because there wouldn't be a state of Israel created out of sympathy.
Um, Reality.. you need to wake up to reality. German = people born in a place. Jewish = people of a belief. We have Jewish Americans and their "jewishness" doesn't automatically make them Isreali or citizens of any other country.
Really.. why flount your ignorance?
John to be fair, the House of Saud kicked any remaining Jews out in their controlled areas before Hitler came to power in Germany. To say there would be "peace" in the Middle East if no Isreal must be very naive of the War Commander Mohammed in his ethnic cleansing of non-Muslims out of Medina, Mecca and the sorrounding areas.
Comments like reality's are exactly why the world needs to remember what happened. It's sad that 70 years later, people still don't get it. I predict that these horrors will be repeated again in my lifetime (probably against another group this time), but I pray that I'm wrong.
Israel is commonly referred to as a Jewish State.
Christian fundamentalists mistakenly refer to the U.S. as a Christian Nation.
You can't have it both ways. Jews are nomadic people, they go where the money is, or they apparently go where other peoples land is, and start building permanent settlements.
Those who forget the lessons of the PAST are DOOMED to REPEAT THEM
I find it amazing that so many of you still have narrow minded and mis-concepts of Judism and begrudge a synagogue of being repaired so as to keep it as a museum and place of worship. If you do not wish to contribute, then shut up and move on--real simple.
My Grandmother died there somewhere in April/May 1944.Was actually at a prison farm just about to be released, few weeks left,when the Russians got close they took her there.Surprising( known it for years) that most americans don,t know the history of WW2 very well, D+ grade.In German Military occupied countries and regions it wasn,t the Germans that made the arrest all the time you know,( My Grandmother was arrested by the Polish Police,Detective)specially after Stalingrad when they needed every able bodied soldier,German or Non German on the Russian Front.Now about that building, they had since 1998, had NOBODY ever even inspected the place like one does one house every year for cracks,roofing problems foundation problems etc etc etc.If there is any blame than it should go on the people that owned it, for 15 years that problem should of been taken care of, thats what you call bad care taking.Thats like what we have here in Detroit with the Parks, many haven,t been taken care off ( No they had the money and I believe they.ve had alot more donations over the years at Aush to have taken care of that, heard for years that they have been getting as much as 5 million a year to keep up the entire place as well as putting up memorials to the victims) so they want ordinary citizens to cut the grass and clean the trash.I just think many donations to the Holocaust have been going in somebodies deep pockets if you get my drift.hell they have been getting money since around 1949, first by Germany and their allies and than from us.Don,t forget theres always a SCAM for everything and theres no better way to get ALOT OF MONEY than to play on people that were murdered, hope you all remember that Help the Sandy Hook Victims Donation Incident.
Here, here Mary Lou. Apparently many here haven't learned from history much. Hopefully they can find some good grant writers. It is worthy of being saved.
Hear! Hear! cm, I agree that it is worthy of being saved. I also hope that they can find some institution in this age of austerity to underwrite a grant. that would be good.
I hope they do rebuild it. I'm just amazed that it wasn't already destroyed by the Nazis.