After an extensive three day search, the well-known Auschwitz sign “Arbeit Macht Frei” has been recovered by Polish police. The sign was stolen three days ago, and five individuals have been arrested.

The sign has been cut into three pieces according to the police.

You can read this news article for more information.

Update: According to this news article update, “it appeared to have been taken by common criminals seeking profit“.

The United States Holocaust Memorial Museum (USHMM) is closed today in honor of Officer Stephen Tyrone Johns, who was murdered yesterday, in the line of duty. The paragraph below, is quoted directly from the USHMM’s website.

“There are no words to express our grief and shock over today’s events at the Museum, which took the life of Officer Stephen Tyrone Johns. Officer Johns, who died heroically in the line of duty, served on the Museum’s security staff for six years. Our thoughts and prayers go out to Officer Johns’s family. We have made the decision to close the Museum Thursday, June 11, in honor of Officer Johns and our flags will be flown at half mast in his memory.”

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I have made the decision not to post anything else, today.

May Officer Johns’ family find the strength to move through this horrific ordeal. May his memory be for a loving blessing.

The two black and white photographs of the USHMM were taken by me last year. The photograph of Officer Johns is the Copyright of the USHMM.
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© Copyright 2007 – All Rights Reserved – No permission is given or allowed to reuse my photography, book reviews, writings, or my poetry in any form/format without my express written consent/permission.

Thursday June 11, 2009 – 19th of Sivan, 5769

There is a breaking news story that I just read online at MSNBC. Apparently there has been a shooting at the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum, in Washington DC. The story on the MSNBC website will be updated as more information comes in.

According to the authorities, there were at least two people shot. You can read the entire breaking news story here.

UPDATE: The U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum has announced that Officer Stephen Tyrone Johns (the guard who was shot at the museum) has died. My deep condolences go out to his family. My thoughts are with them, and with the USHMM’s family.

The USHMM will be closing tomorrow, June 11th, in honor of Officer Stephen Tyrone Johns.

Some moments leave one in a difficult position to articulate their thoughts and feelings…for me…this is one such moment…there are no adequate words…

The USHMM is a place that is dear to, and a part of, my heart…a place I visit each time I’m in DC, a place that cements me to the events of the past, a place that touches my very core just thinking about what it stands for, a place whose past infiltrates my mind and soul, a place of spirituality and reverence, a place of honor and tribute, a place where familial histories live, and it is a place I visit online…weekly. I can’t even imagine the events of today…they are beyond my imagination…as are the devastating past events that are the building blocks and foundation for the USHMM.

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© Copyright 2007 – All Rights Reserved – No permission is given or allowed to reuse my photography, book reviews, writings, or my poetry in any form/format without my express written consent/permission.

Wednesday June 10, 2009 – 18th of Sivan, 5769

I have not been feeling like posting anything the past couple of days, and will probably not post much during the next one or two days. I have had bronchitis for about three weeks, and two rounds of medication has not alleviated it. It has now developed into pleurisy. I am now on stronger antibiotics, inflammatory medication, and cough syrup. It is extremely painful, not only when I cough, but when I breathe. Ah, so it goes, it is what it is. Enough of my whining!

I have not bought any new books this week, but hope to rectify that soon.

I received two more Review Copies in the mail the past two days. Raising a Child With Soul, by Slovie Jungreis-Wolff, looks to be a wonderful book on shaping the character of your Jewish child. I can’t wait to read it! Thank you, Jessica!

Tightrope: Six Centuries of a Jewish Dynasty, by Michael Karpin looks to be a fascinating account of the Blackenroth family.

I’m looking forward to reading it. Thank you, Paula!

Hopefully I’ll get a bit of reading done during the next few days.

In the meantime, Shabbat Shalom!
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Jew Wishes…Peace to you all.
© Copyright 2007 – All Rights Reserved – No permission is given or allowed to reuse my photography, book reviews, writings, or my poetry in any form/format without my express written consent/permission.
RAi

According to an article I read on MSNBC, the situation in Gaza appears to be causing violence against Jewish communities in Britain, France, Sweden and other countries.

You can read the entire article, here.
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Jew Wishes…Peace to you all.
© Copyright 2007 – All Rights Reserved – No permission is given or allowed to reuse my photography, book reviews, writings, or my poetry in any form/format without my express written consent/permission.

Turkey’s postal system has recognized two diplomats who helped save Jews by issuing two new commemorative stamps, according to this news article.

During World War II, Necdet Kent and Selahattin Ulkumen risked their own lives to save Turkish Jews from being deported.

They have both been declared Righteous Among the Nations by Yad Vashem.

You can read the entire article here.
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Jew Wishes…Peace to you all.
© Copyright 2007 – All Rights Reserved – No permission is given or allowed to reuse my photography, book reviews, writings, or my poetry in any form/format without my express written consent/permission.