Chapter: Milestones / Idea of Jerusalem
Internationally, the ad appeared full-page on the back of the title pages. I had not expected this incredible size of the ad, with the weight and placement on the front pages, but with a 3 - 5 cm ad somewhere in the middle of a rather thick newspaper. The joy was great and the gratitude for this perception!
The text of the ad „The opposite of the Holocaust is in a sense the idea of Jerusalem” reflects the message embodied by the Friedensmal. In the context of a civilization break, the 'idea of Jerusalem' is remembered. So it's more than a memorial to the pain of the past. It's about to be alive, 'Chai' - even in the German-Jewish relations - in the present! It's about living what was learned from a dark past. You can read more about it below the images.
This front page ad was the inauguration of the Jerusalem Friedensmal in Israel.
Note: The name 'Jerusalem Peace Memorial' from the advertisement is the English translation of the German name 'Jerusalem Friedensmal'.
On a historical level, the Holocaust represents the darkest abyss of human cruelty and the systematic annihilation of Jewish life. Jerusalem, by contrast, stands as a symbol of the unbroken continuity and remarkable resilience of the Jewish people. Spiritually, the idea of Jerusalem embodies the connection between the divine and the human—a stark contrast to the complete negation of human values that the Holocaust represents.
Ethically, the Holocaust symbolizes absolute destruction, while Jerusalem signifies rebuilding, healing, and the possibility of peaceful coexistence. This juxtaposition shifts the gaze from a painful past toward a hopeful future, opening pathways toward reconciliation.
Moreover, the "idea of Jerusalem" carries a universal message that transcends the city itself. It stands for a global concept of peace, justice, and harmony between different peoples and faiths. In this sense, the quote implies the transformative power of learning from the darkest experiences and turning them into a positive force for change and renewal.
This profound significance makes the quote a powerful statement, reflecting the core message of the Friedensmal: to build a bridge from the memory of the past to a future of peace and understanding.
Title pages of Jerusalem Post and HaAretz
On 22 March 2013, the ad with the
Blossom of Life of the Friedensmal appeared on the front pages of the Jerusalem Post and HaAretz. It was in Jerusalem that it was first publicly presented. I was in Safed in Israel at the time and Jewish friends living there surprised me with the newspaper (image). The ad appeared when US President Obama visited the state of Israel before Passover (Passover is a central holiday in Judaism; it is about freedom.)Internationally, the ad appeared full-page on the back of the title pages. I had not expected this incredible size of the ad, with the weight and placement on the front pages, but with a 3 - 5 cm ad somewhere in the middle of a rather thick newspaper. The joy was great and the gratitude for this perception!
The text of the ad „The opposite of the Holocaust is in a sense the idea of Jerusalem” reflects the message embodied by the Friedensmal. In the context of a civilization break, the 'idea of Jerusalem' is remembered. So it's more than a memorial to the pain of the past. It's about to be alive, 'Chai' - even in the German-Jewish relations - in the present! It's about living what was learned from a dark past. You can read more about it below the images.
This front page ad was the inauguration of the Jerusalem Friedensmal in Israel.
Note: The name 'Jerusalem Peace Memorial' from the advertisement is the English translation of the German name 'Jerusalem Friedensmal'.
From Darkness to Hope
"The oposite of the Holocaust is in a sense the idea of Jerusalem". This profound quote presents a comprehensive juxtaposition that goes far beyond a simple contrast. It weaves together historical, spiritual, and ethical dimensions to deliver a powerful message of hope and transformation.On a historical level, the Holocaust represents the darkest abyss of human cruelty and the systematic annihilation of Jewish life. Jerusalem, by contrast, stands as a symbol of the unbroken continuity and remarkable resilience of the Jewish people. Spiritually, the idea of Jerusalem embodies the connection between the divine and the human—a stark contrast to the complete negation of human values that the Holocaust represents.
Ethically, the Holocaust symbolizes absolute destruction, while Jerusalem signifies rebuilding, healing, and the possibility of peaceful coexistence. This juxtaposition shifts the gaze from a painful past toward a hopeful future, opening pathways toward reconciliation.
Moreover, the "idea of Jerusalem" carries a universal message that transcends the city itself. It stands for a global concept of peace, justice, and harmony between different peoples and faiths. In this sense, the quote implies the transformative power of learning from the darkest experiences and turning them into a positive force for change and renewal.
This profound significance makes the quote a powerful statement, reflecting the core message of the Friedensmal: to build a bridge from the memory of the past to a future of peace and understanding.
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