Shoah Museum

New Holocaust Memorial Opens in Paris

By Arnie Greenberg
Contact Arnie at
ultours@aol.com

(Pictured above, a wall at the Shoah Museum, with its intertwined Stars of David design -- Photo © Renaud Hasselmann)

I was really taken by the new Shoah (Holocaust) Museum I discovered in Paris.

It was only opened in January of 2005, but already it is one of the most moving and well attended museums in all of France, an awareness-raising institution that presents the history of genocide during WW II.

In the outer courtyard one sees a huge, urn-like statue with the names of the camps where the Shoah took place.

(An exterior wall of the museum, showing the names of those who perished at the hands of the Nazis -- Photo by Vincent Pfrunner)

Then, also before entering the museum, you have walls displaying 76,000 names of Jewish men, women and children who were murdered and who died without a grave. The crypt contains ashes of victims collected from the camps.

A Courtyard with a Stark Reality

There is a stark reality to the courtyard, with the wall that faces you adorned with a huge Star of David. The names inscribed are in order of the victims' death or disappearance. There is even space for new names to be added; memorial candles dot the bottom of the giant tablets of names.

The side wall of the building, on the street dedicated to the martyrs, is made up of intertwined Stars of David.

(On display, a portion of an identity card, which French Jews were required to carry)

The museum entrance grips your attention with what looks like a walled fortification. Inside, I found a modern and functional building that was light, spacious and filled with well-displayed exhibits.

(The bottom portion of the identity card bears the word, stamped in red letters, JUIF, or JEW -- Photos © Mémorial de la Shoah / CDJC)

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The fact that there are videoed interviews of survivors allows one to hear first-hand the sad memories of these few. The photographs, old valises, shoes and eyeglasses, teeth and hair brought the terrible reality to my eyes.

Photographs of Children

There is no way that a younger person can feel what these victims went through, but hearing some of them talk and seeing the faces of the victims makes the museum more personal. There is also a room with only photographs of children.

The building was designed with elevators and ramps for the handicapped and bathroom facilities and places to leave your belongings if you choose to walk around more comfortably.

(The interior of the museum with its bare appearance -- Photo by Vincent Pfrunner)

There are guides available, and I saw school groups of all religious denominations hearing the guides describe the exhibits. For some, it was too terrible to see. It is a difficult exhibit but an important one, lest we forget.

Ashes from the Camps

The large room with the light burning for the unknown dead contains ashes from the camps. It was eerily silent. In a darkened room is a flame symbolizing the unknown Jewish martyr. It is very moving.
So, too, was the special exhibit of the Nuremburg Trial, showing pictures of the defendants, the accusers and the judges to remind us of the crimes and the punishment.

(Viewing the names of those who perished -- Photo by Vincent Pfrunner)

Some stairs and some areas are dimly lit. Narrow entrances are necessary for security. Many of the photographs are vivid and not recommended for young children.

Even if you've visited other museums about the Holocaust, I recommend this exceptional set of archives, photographs, letters, records, posters that describe a collective history and personal destinies.

The 2,550 photographs call to mind the fate of Jewish children deported and, in a general sense, the crime against humanity.

IF YOU GO…

17, rue Geoffroy-l'Asnier
75004 Paris
On the Right Bank near Quai de l'Hotel de Ville and Ile St Louis
Tel: 01 42 77 44 72

Every second Sunday there is a free tour in English at 3 p.m. A list of special events is available at the entrance.
www.memorialdelashoah.org.

The museum hours are as follows: Sunday-Friday 10 a.m.- 6 p.m.
Thursday open until 10 p.m. Closed public holidays and some Jewish holidays. There is no entrance fee.

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There are many floors and library and research facilities. Inquire ahead for any special needs, like research, groups, or tours for the disabled.

Even the bookstore is well stocked with books on every perspective of the events and times. The bookstore and library are open during the same hours as the museum.

Ask for a list of special events planned six months in advance. These activities include lectures, films, concerts, special events and children's activities. There are guided walks, too, through the Marais and La Ruche, where many Jewish painters once lived. There is a display of letters, posters and newspaper articles on anti-Semitism and the Dreyfus case.

Visitors are charged a fee for special events, lectures and concerts and tours to sites outside the museum.

The museum is easy to find near the river and is an easy walk from Hotel de Ville or Ile St. Louis. You can go by Metro: Saint-Paul or Hotel de Ville and by bus 67, 76, 69, or 96.

There is parking nearby at Place Boudoyer, (underground) or Rue Lobaul, Pont Marie (rue de l'Hotel de Ville).

(One of many Holocaust illustrations on display: "Au pas," Paris, 1945
Crayon, encre de Chine, lavis, 30x21 cm, © Collection Ghetto Fighter's House, Israel)

Lockers and keys provided free of charge. There are benches provided inside and outside, where you can rest, write notes, or just sit quietly with your thoughts. Ramps and elevators provided. For information, about access call, 01 42 77 44 72.

Note: You may want to add the Museum of Jewish Art and History to your list of places to visit. It, too, is highly recommended and is close enough to the Pletzl, the old Jewish Quarter, where you can sample the traditional foods and crafts still for sale. Address: 71, rue du Temple, 75003. Tel: 33 (0) 1 53 01 86 60

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