Odessa

On another blog, a post about former Iranian president and current Chairman of the Assembly of Experts statement that Hitler’s treatment of Jewish people in Europe was due in part to their being “a pain in the neck" quickly became a post about the Holocaust. I posted the following.

I think one message that could be learned from the holocaust that gets forgotten is - Don't isolate yourself.

A relative of mine lived in Germany until the late 1940's. She said that she personally didn't know any Jewish people so she was frankly unaware that any were disappearing. They were around, but at the periphery of her life. If someone that never speaks to you and avoids any real interaction with you disappears, how likely are you to ask where they went? Also consider that many Jews that survived the holocaust survived because they interacted with others, because their friends were not limited to those of their own faith.

Many people still have not learned this lesson. I have gotten down right distrustful, just this side of hostile, stares in Hasidic communities, even when I smile and say hello. The stares made me feel very uncomfortable and self-conscience. I doubt I would be aware if any of the people in those neighborhoods were to start disappearing and I wouldn't much care. Although cruel, it is human nature to care less for people treat you with disdain than those that treat you with kindness. Nor do I suspect, given how they seem to regard me, they would give a hoot if I were to disappear. Replace "Hasidic" with many other groups and the result is the same - it is a "we" / "them" mentality.

Even in less insular communities, our life styles isolates us. How long would it take for you to know if your neighbor disappeared? I live in a small village and I would have no idea if any of them disappeared for quite a while. And if I disappeared? My neighbors wouldn't have a clue for at least a month - until the grass got long. The only people that might notice sooner or care are my friends, who are busy with work during the week, and my co-workers. Who would miss you?