The Opening of Amsterdam’s National Holocaust Museum: Telling the Story of the Persecution of Dutch Jews

The Opening of Amsterdam’s National Holocaust Museum: Telling the Story of the Persecution of Dutch Jews

 Edited by: Fern Sidman

In the heart of Amsterdam, a new beacon of remembrance stands as a testament to a dark chapter in history that must never be forgotten. As was reported by The New York Times on Tuesday, the National Holocaust Museum, set to open its doors to the public next week, is the culmination of almost two decades of effort, overcoming skepticism and discomfort to confront the painful reality of the Holocaust.

The museum’s permanent collection is a poignant reflection of the human tragedy that unfolded during the Holocaust. According to the information provided in the NYT report, among its artifacts is a simple card adorned with sepia-toned passport photos, bearing the handwritten plea: “Don’t forget us!” Though the identities of the individuals remain unknown, their haunting gaze serves as a powerful reminder of the millions of Dutch Jews who perished at the hands of the Nazis.

Emile Schrijver, the general director of the National Holocaust Museum, acknowledgds the long-standing discomfort in the Netherlands with confronting its role in the Holocaust. He believes that the museum represents a crucial step towards acceptance and closure, offering a space for reflection and reconciliation.

“I think it’s a remnant of a long-felt discomfort in the Netherlands with taking ownership of what happened,” said Schrijver, as was indicated in the NYT report. “The collective embrace of the fact that the fate of the Jews in the Second World War differed substantially from the fate of the Netherlands, that took a very long time,” Schrijver added. The opening of the museum, he said, “is a kind of closure to a process of acceptance.”

Unlike other museums in the Netherlands that touch on aspects of Holocaust history, such as the Anne Frank House, the National Holocaust Museum is dedicated to telling the comprehensive story of the persecution of Jews in the country, as was indicated in the information contained in the NYT report. It seeks to illuminate how the lives of thousands were upended by Nazi occupation and deportation.

The museum delves into the intricacies of Nazi bureaucracy, which facilitated the systematic persecution of Dutch Jews. The report in the NYT said that on its second floor, visitors are confronted with a relentless barrage of words detailing the discriminatory laws imposed on Dutch Jews, underscoring the complicity of civilians and officials in the litany of heinous atrocities committed.

The NYT report indicated that examples jump out at visitors, whether they plan to read them or not. Nov. 11, 1941: Jews are no longer allowed to attend tennis, dance or bridge clubs. June 11, 1942: Jews can no longer shop at fish markets. June 12, 1942: Jews must hand in their bicycles. Sept. 15, 1942: Jewish students are barred from universities.

Annemiek Gringold, the museum’s head curator, encapsulated the somber atmosphere, noting that the exhibits capture “the oppression and the dismantling of the rule of law and freedom for every Jew,” the NYT report said.  Through meticulous curation, the museum seeks to honor the memory of Dutch Jews as individuals, rather than reducing them to mere victims of historical atrocities.

In the galleries, artifacts such as clothing, jewelry, and suitcases offer glimpses into the lives that were forever altered by the Holocaust. As per the information in the NYT report, Gringold emphasized the importance of portraying individuals in their full complexity, ensuring that they are not defined solely by the horrors inflicted upon them.

The journey towards establishing the National Holocaust Museum has been a long and arduous one. Gringold recalled proposing the idea as early as 2005, facing doubts about the necessity of such am institution, the NYT report stated.  However, as Dutch society grapples with its historical legacy, the imperative of remembrance has gradually gained traction.

The museum’s location holds profound significance, situated across from a former deportation center and adjacent to a daycare where Jewish children were once held before their tragic fate, the report added. Through its physical presence, the museum bears witness to the enduring scars of history etched into the very fabric of Amsterdam’s landscape.

Architecturally, the museum’s interiors have been meticulously designed to evoke a sense of solemnity and reflection. Bathed in natural light filtered through soft gray blinds, the space serves as a poignant reminder of the atrocities committed in broad daylight, visible for all to witness, the NYT report mentioned.

Renowned architect and artist Daniel Libeskind, whose portfolio includes the design of several Holocaust memorials and museums worldwide, shared insights into the enduring skepticism that often accompanies projects of remembrance. As was noted in the NYT report, despite facing similar challenges throughout his career, Libeskind underscored the importance of confronting the shadows of the past, a task that has fallen to subsequent generations striving to preserve the memory of those lost.

For Dutch Holocaust survivors such as Salo Muller, the opening of the museum marks a deeply personal milestone. Muller, who survived the war by going into hiding as a young child, recounted the harrowing experiences of separation from his family and subsequent rescue by resistance fighters, as was indicated in the NYT report. His poignant reflections on loss and resilience echo the sentiments shared by countless survivors whose lives were forever altered by the atrocities of the Holocaust.

A recent private visit to the museum left Muller overwhelmed with emotion, as he grappled with memories of his family’s deportation and the profound impact of their absence, the report said. Standing amidst the exhibits, Muller found himself transported back in time, his thoughts filled with the faces of loved ones lost but never forgotten.

At the heart of the museum’s collection lies a poignant reminder of the human toll of the Holocaust: three anonymous faces captured in sepia-toned passport photos, accompanied by a simple plea—”Don’t forget us.” The report in the NYT said that these haunting images serve as a powerful testament to the countless lives erased by the horrors of genocide, their names lost to history but their memory preserved for eternity.

As visitors encounter the faces of those who once pleaded to be remembered, Gringold underscored the profound responsibility borne by each individual to confront the truth of the past and ensure that the lessons of history are never forgotten.

As the doors of the National Holocaust Museum prepare to open to the public, Amsterdam stands on the threshold of a new era of remembrance. Through the collective efforts of survivors, scholars, and curators alike, the museum stands as a beacon of hope, guiding future generations towards a future rooted in understanding, compassion, and unwavering commitment to the preservation of memory.