The Lila T. Bunch Library at Belmont University, in partnership with the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum, has brought an exhibit to Nashville for learning and dialogue. The exhibit, which runs through December 8, is titled Some Were Neighbors: Choice, Human Behavior, and The Holocaust.
Fourteen members of West End United Methodist Church in Nashville met with a group at West End Synagogue for dinner, a private tour of the exhibit followed by a discussion of thoughts and reflections. The exhibit–through words and pictures–shows how individuals responded to the persecution and the murder of their Jewish classmates, coworkers, neighbors and friends. Some acted out of hatred for Jews, but many others were motivated by fear, greed, and the opportunity to step into a better job. The private tour afforded opportunity to quietly absorb painful messages. What drove a rare few to risk helping victims?
Following the tour, we gathered at small tables for discussion with members from both congregations. The discussion leader asked us to come up with one word to express our response to the exhibit. Words included: Sisyphean, greed, fear, repetition, history, hatred, bigotry.
There was a consensus of concern that our immigrant friends and neighbors are facing some of the same unfortunate actions that led to the Holocaust. The question was: What can we do? Suggestions included: connecting with remixtn.betterworld.org (an organization which does many creative things to help immigrants); dine at restaurants that have employers and staff who need support; get involved with “get out the vote” activities; provide financial support to vetted agencies; print out rights for bystanders and those arrested.
A Holocaust story resonated with many in our group: a woman stepped out from the crowd of onlookers who were watching the deportations and hugged her friend—a friend who did not survive the camps. This woman suffered no repercussions for her act. By leaning into compassion, generosity, mercy and justice, and channeling the love of God for all of God’s people, we can make a difference.
Read more about Some Were Neighbors here: https://www.belmont.edu/faith-leadership/curb-special-exhibit.html
Submitted by members of West End UMC
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