Upon reading Into Oblivion of Berlin at War, I was shocked to read about the successful celebration of Yom Kippur. The extreme commitment to a faith, that for some unfair, unknown reason got others in their community imprisioned in the first place, was shocking to me. On October 1st, 1941, when Jewish Berliners were celebrating Yom Kippur at Levetzowstrasse, one of the last synagogues in Berlin in useful operation, Gestapo officials showed up and not only closed down the synagogue, but started the official “resettlement” of Jewish Berliners.
Levetzowstrasse around 1935
While I am not one of strong or committed faith, I was shocked to learn that so many atrocities being committed, because of a religion, could mean that the religion could still bear a large following. While this is one of the holiest days on the Jewish calendar, I still do not know if I (like the majority of Berliners) could remain a committed Jewish person after seeing the crimes being committed to others in the same faith.
Photo cred: http://www.memorialmuseums.org/eng/staettens/view/1403/Levetzowstraße-Deportation-Memorial
I see what you mean. But I do not think that it is that easy to completely drop a religion. However, I do think that people could be quieter about what they were doing… I’m not sure how that would really work but its a start!
Being someone who celebrates Yom Kippur (the Day of Atonement) , I can tell you that what I think kept them desiring to observe the holiday was probably the significance of it.
Back track ten days, and we’re at Rosh Hashanah (the Jewish New Year)! Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, and the days in between are known as the “10 days of repentance”, the days during which Jews are supposed to Pray, repent, and give (To charity or others)- aka start the New Year off right by being a great person!
Now, if they were to just not observe this holiday, it would just not be the one to skip- this is the period we have to be, I think, most closely connected to G-d and really feel that he is there listening to and understanding us…. something that the Jews definitely needed at this time!
I do agree with Meg that people could definitely observe this holiday in a much quieter way and just observe it on a more personal level, avoiding the public scene issues you referred to, Ken.