Warsaw, Poland – Obama At Ghetto Memorial: ‘Reminder Of The Nightmare’ of The Holocaust

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    President Barack Obama is presented with a plaque commemorating his visit to the Museum of  the History of Polish Jews, after laying a wreath at the Warsaw Ghetto Memorial in Warsaw, Poland, Friday, May 27, 2011. (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak)Warsaw, Poland – President Barack Obama on Friday honored the memories of those slain in the Warsaw Ghetto uprising against Nazis, telling one elderly man that the memorial was a “reminder of the nightmare” of the Holocaust in which tens of millions of Jews were killed.

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    In the final phase of his European trip, the president greeted Holocaust survivors and leaders of Poland’s Jewish community at the Monument to the Ghetto Heroes. He smiled, shook hands and hugged those gathered under a light rain, including some who shared memories of having met Obama at earlier times.

    “What a wonderful visit. I’ll have to bring my daughters,” Obama said as he exited the memorial. The monument in the former Jewish ghetto commemorates the tens of thousands of Jews killed in a 1943 uprising against the Nazis during Germany’s brutal occupation of Poland during World War II.

    Most of the insurgents in that uprising were killed, but the event bears great importance in Jewish history as an example of Jews bravely taking up arms, albeit against the odds, to defend themselves against the Nazis. It’s also a key memorial in a country that before the Holocaust was home to Europe’s largest Jewish community.

    Among those Obama met was Halina Szpilman, the widow of Wladyslaw Szpilman, the Holocaust survivor featured in Roman Polanski’s Oscar-winning film “The Pianist.” Obama kissed Szpilman, a retired doctor who lost her husband in 2000, on both cheeks. A leading member of the Jewish communist, Monika Krawczyk, was heard urging Obama to do all he can to support Israel, saying, “It’s the only Jewish state we have.” Obama assured her that the United States would be there for Israel.

    Obama arrived in Warsaw on a cool and cloudy Friday evening, hoping to inject some vigor into a relationship with an ally that has sometimes felt slighted by Washington.

    His primary business of the night was a dinner with Central and Eastern European Union leaders. The president intended to emphasize how their experiences with democracy could offer real-life lessons to those seeking freedoms across North Africa and the Middle East.

    Upon arrival, Obama helped placed a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, dedicated to all unidentified soldiers who have given their lives to Poland in past wars. Obama shook hands and chatted warmly with elderly veterans in uniform who had fought Nazi Germany during World War II, including at least one woman. Several of them saluted him. He also greeted younger soldiers and veterans who have served in NATO’s mission in Afghanistan.

    The president then headed to the presidential palace for dinner, to be followed on Saturday by meetings and a news conference before his return to Washington.


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    7 Comments
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    yoeli
    yoeli
    12 years ago

    “Tens of millions of Jews” ??? I thought its 6 or 7 million.

    oygevault
    oygevault
    12 years ago

    How can he even think to do this, when his mouth is still stained by encouraging another shoah by insisting on indefensible 67 “borders” (which are really 49 armistice lines)

    maitiv
    maitiv
    12 years ago

    The kivrei tzadikim tourism has become such a big trend that even our African/American/Irish/Hawaian president goes to der alter heim to pay his respects!

    12 years ago

    why is Obama smiling? at such a solem momement one should not smile.or as he said this is a wonderful museum… what was really on his mind??

    12 years ago

    To #4 -“Maitiv”- Why do you have to describe our President’s ethnic background, in such a derogatory manner? Would you like if someone described your ethnic background, in anti-semitic terms? Shame on you!