August 12
Holocaust Memorial Mt. Zion
Chamber of Holocaust Museum established before Yad VaShem.
“I saw what the Nazis did. I cried like a baby.”
Chamber of the Holocaust and Non-Jews of Jerusalem
August 12, 1957
Monday Night
Dear Dad, Mom & Alan,
Hope you are all feeling well, but sorry the car is giving so much trouble. The last few days have been especially interesting. To Dad – the we in letters means whoever is with me at the time. It varies. Today I visited the Hall of Destruction on Mt. Zion and saw a few of the signs of what the Nazis had done. I cried like a baby (again). I also visited King David’s Tomb. The rest of the adventures I keep in a diary.
It is all so impressive and stimulating. It is a great thrill. I was about 50 feet from the Wailing Wall but that was it, no closer. BARBED WIRE & Arab guns forced you. Not a weapon is visible on ISRAEL’S SIDE. Even the police are unarmed
Believe it or not, I think Jerusalem has more priests than NY. Another amazing thing; when I was in the observation tower looking down on the New City, I saw dozens of huge crosses on tops of buildings but not even one Star of David. I got into a crowd of Christian Pilgrims & visited some of the churches with them. Naturally the Priests spoke freely. I was surprised how loyal they are to Israel. They could shame many Jews.
The American tourists were as surprised as I that the missionaries actually got Israeli gov’t support. The American Missionary showed me out of his window looking into Jordan where a huge Anti-American sign was visible. This was disgusting in view of everything our gov’t has done to help the Arabs.
Also, surprising is how Pro-American Israel’s people are despite their hatred for the State Departments present policies of arming the Arabs.
No more room so hope everything is okay.
Love, Bob
David’s Comments:
*August 12, 1957 Bob visited Hall of destruction
“Today I visited The Hall of Destruction on Mt. Zion and saw a few of the signs of what the Nazi’s had done. I cried like a baby”
Prior to Yad Vashem, Jerusalem’s Holocaust memorial was called the Hall of Destruction, also known as the Chamber of the Holocaust. It was established in 1949 on Mount Zion, which is near David’s Tomb adjacent to the Old City. (Attached is a picture.)
Yad Vashem on Mt. Herzl is now the official Holocaust Center, but the Chamber of the Holocaust on Mt Zion is still open to visitors.