(1) Carole 2/25/2008 3:49:00 PM
I agree 100%
Dearest Rabbi..I always enjoy hearing your thoughts on a variety of subjects and especially this one. Where I live we have a Holocaust Memorial Center. That is where that sort of display belongs and not where it will not get the kind of response that it so deserves.


(2) Beatriz 2/13/2008 12:59:00 PM
Shame!
I'm from Brazil and I was very upset to know about the plans to take such a float to the parade. Furthermore, knowing what is involved during the preparation and display of those floats, I can't help but wonder the real motivation of the people behind it. I'm glad the float was not allowed to enter the parade. It was not the time, nor the place.


(3) Elonna 2/11/2008 12:02:00 PM
Bad Taste!
It's extremely bad taste to have a Holocaust float in that parade. Whoever thought of this idea has gone too far! Can you imagine such a float in the Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade?!

(4) Miryam 2/10/2008 12:07:00 AM

You are absolutely correct about it not being the time nor the place. It's in bad taste. I can't imagine anyone in their right mind would dare to display something
so holy and painful moments in our history. I pray that this display doesn't take place. It is not the place nor the time. My goodness, how horrid.


(5) Margarita 2/9/2008 10:39:00 AM
i agree with Orrin
i have only one thing to say - if you go to lithuvania to give money to people who murdered thouthands of Jews for fun and money and now they are robbing you and you think it's fine just to see the place where our grandfathers were murdered and think it's a celebration - that is the next step of the celebration. how very sad......................


(6) Carol 2/9/2008 9:54:00 AM
I agree
I agree it is not the right time or place.


(7) yana 2/7/2008 4:24:00 PM

Holding parades are for fun and celebrating joyous moments. Although no harm was probably meant, and just the opposite, for a rememberance, it is completely inappropriate in all aspects. It's absolutely in horrid taste, and as Batya mentioned, certainly not humane.


(8) Feige 2/7/2008 8:49:00 AM
Thank G-d it was not allowed!
Thank you for your pertinent words. I cannot imagine that a float like the one they planned can be respectful in any manner.Our 'Kedoshim' must be remembered through gatherings in shuls, yeshivos or at special events geared for this specifically, as well as in literature and Seforim. Hashem Yikom Domom.


(9) joanne Geurs 2/7/2008 4:52:00 AM

You are so right,this is not the place.


(10) Batya 2/7/2008 12:43:00 AM
Going for the win
The young people who came up with the idea for this float during Carnival had but one idea in mind: winning the competition for best float. When interviewed about how they felt about the decision to not allow the float, they were upset. Not because of some "message" they had been trying to make. But because they had to come up with a float from scratch at the last minute and now would have no chance at winning. My feeling is that they really were going for shock value, probably hoping that it would be taken as relevant somehow, and they would ultimately win for their "art" (as they referred to it). Not relevant; Not appropriate; not in good taste; not humane. The tortured lifeless bodies representing our ancestors, on display at a celebration of the physical urges of man, is NOT art! And, thankfully, not allowed.


(11) goldie 2/6/2008 4:47:00 PM
Truth... indeed
I think that while this is a very difficult subject for anyone to hear, who has not had such an experience, anytime that the message can be heard loud and clear is a good time to bring it out.
The whole world may have been celebrating something, or sorrowing over something, at the very time all these things were happening, but that did not in anyways prevent them from happening. So why should these things also prevent the remembrance of such an event now? We all need to be awakened and remember, lest we forget, and be swallowed up again, by sorrow and reality.


(12) chava 2/6/2008 2:42:00 PM
theme
I think I read that there was a theme for the floats --- something about "shocking" --- I can't remember exactly what. But the theme is what was the impetus for this float. And the school that made it had said there would be no dancing or music on the float itself. I think they didn't mean it to be as awful as it came out. People really don't know the depth of the pain.


(13) hershy 2/6/2008 11:49:00 AM
I Agree
It aint the time or place for it. They should get their heads checked.


(14) Bonnie S. 2/6/2008 9:03:00 AM
I agree
I agree with you Rabbi. I am a Christian born at the end of WWII,but whenever I see something concerning the holocaust I need time to reflect, to grieve afresh, to repent and to ask God to help me to always be viligent about any hint of prejudice against the Jewish people. I ask God to help me be bold to speak up and speak out when I see prejudice. There would certainly be no time for reflection in the midst of such a parade.


(15) Sarah Rachel 2/6/2008 1:57:00 AM
This is BLASPHEMOUS.
To parade such a float through dancing, naked, drunken, uninhibited lust driven people TOTALLY blasphemes the memory of our holy Jewish souls whose bodies were murdered in the Shoah.

Not only that, but it will only anger those who are celebrating, and probably make them think the Jews are looking for a "pity party" once again, which will cause resentment on top of anger.

These people did nothing or very little to help the Jews at the time. They don't want to be reminded of that, such reminders do NOT change such people. Their indifference or even hatred of Jews is a condition of their souls and cannot be changed - at least until Moshiach comes then they will have one final chance.

Very very bad idea, this float in this parade. Very bad on so many levels.


(16) Tibor Burian 2/5/2008 9:19:00 PM
holokoust carnaval
I'm a surviver of the shoah,not the holokoust,God stil hase tears for what hapened !!Man did it they had the choice and they decidet !! It certainly does not fit into a carnaval


(17) G Walter 2/5/2008 9:18:00 PM
Let not have the display - but have such a display in Bavaria were this sadness started!
Bavaria is the home of Dachau-I am a survivor and talked to those Bavarian's and was told we do not know what you are talking about-let them see the evil they created.


(18) Anonymous 2/5/2008 8:49:00 PM

There is a time to celebrate and there is a time to mourn lost souls . There is an order and rythyme to all things .This somehow does not fit in a parade . Its a time of celebration. We need to look at the big picture , why not a floot of Jewish life , of victories ,of acomplishments , of culture . Why let a big negative rule . They never won , souls dont die ,they are in Gods hands. Time to Celebrate this.


(19) A 2/5/2008 8:08:00 PM
it sounds warped
and it's not a way to 'preach to the choir' (that's us!) but it must have been a way to get the attention of those who would have never ever in their lives gone to a Holocaust museum; could it be construed as a desperate measure to get the attention of those living spiritually disparate lives? maybe so; we aren't like those people, so we won't see life from their perspective, Thank G-d; maybe someone needed to see this shoa float to get their brains rattling.
It's a sick parade as it is.


(20) Pam Bairnsfather 2/5/2008 7:34:00 PM
WRONG PLACE, WRONG TIME
This type of display is so wrong on so many different levels.Using a float to pile bodies on repersenting the Holocaust slaughter would be inappropriate no matter when it was staged to be seen ! Then choosing a Mardi Gras parade is the epitome of bad taste. I am sure the ones responsible for all of this means well but this is going to bring about just the opposite effect. It is so disrespectful to everyone concerned, the vitims, the families of the vitims and all of us whose hearts stays full of pain concerning this issue.


(21) Orrin 2/5/2008 7:25:00 PM
Here's an Idea
Why don't you send the report of this obscenity to the hotel your group visited in Lithuania? I bet they'd love a parade, especially one with a theme so close to their hearts.


(22) nsk 2/5/2008 6:54:00 PM

There is a time and a place for everything. Carnaval in Brazil is not the place to remember the Holocaust. Carnaval there is a totally physical celebration (drinking, eating, being merry, dressed in very little clothing, forgetting the laws of decency and marriage). There is nothing serious or dignified about Carnaval. The float with the manekins would just be laughed at. Do you think a drunkard looking at it in the street is going to understand or care to understand at that time what the Holocaust was like?


(23) Larry Zack 2/5/2008 6:48:00 PM

absolutely wrong. wrong time, wrong place and wrong occasion. i agree with you completely.


(24) michael kraft 2/5/2008 6:14:00 PM
I agree ,memories of this nature should not happen this way.
thank you


(25) Yoel 2/5/2008 5:51:00 PM

This is desecration of the image of G-d.
The "viewing" of representations of the dead bodies of Jews in an atmosphere carnival and revelry, can only amuse those whose minds crave for the similar displays of the past two and a half centuries. The mercy-less slaughter of the Jewish exiles of South America.


(26) Joey 2/5/2008 4:44:00 PM

It seems to me those in question are trying to do something good, but it seems out of place. For one it just doesn't seem to make much sense; why now have a Holocaust float? If the parade is on some important anniversary, maybe, or if it was doing something current, like doing a display about the current "holocaust" in Darfur; but, while the Holocaust should always be remembered, what exactly does it have to do with this particular occasion? It seems to lack any kind of call to action to make its message meaningful, to say nothing about its "leitzanutish" quality (I think I'll write that word down, thanks :-).

Kudos to them for trying to do good, but I agree with Rabbi Saloman, this is out of place. God bless.


(27) Dov D'Israel 2/5/2008 3:20:00 PM

I feel horror at the afront; in presenting a float on the holocaust midst the celebration of life and meriment; - I pray my Brazilian born cousin Archiso, played no part in this offence. This as a suvivor (not camp)is a VERY private issue, and my respects for everone incluiding immediate members of my family, are payed in private during Yom Hashoa.

This public display leaves me deeply offended


(28) sylvia 2/5/2008 3:13:00 PM
holocausts
rabi, i live in brasil, sao paulo and I fully agree with all you are saying.. not the time, not the place and it does not belong to carnaval....
we should remember the horrors all the time, but not during carnaval....
best regards,
sylvia


(29) Anonymous 2/5/2008 2:13:00 PM

As a child of Holocaust survivors, I am particularly sensitive to educating people about what had happened. But, I feel that this would definitely be the wrong venue and would just be counter-productive. There is a time and a place for everything, and this definitely would not be the proper place or time for a Holocaust display.


(30) moyses cheid junior 2/5/2008 2:12:00 PM
Ridiculo, falta de respeito
Fazer do carnaval uma exposição do sofrimento do povo judeu foi um absurdo. parabens a justiça que proibiu a apresentação.


(31) Anonymous 2/5/2008 1:56:00 PM
Tacky
What possessed the person who thought this up? Not just tacky but evil.


(32) Anonymous 2/5/2008 1:47:00 PM
Not The method - even if it is the time
This is just shock value - a solemn memorial of a modest black draped platform or 6 torches or candles - those would be a memorial - this is just sick - making an 'event' out of a tragedy


(33) Eduardo Manuel 2/5/2008 12:47:00 PM
A "good way" to minimize
To laf of very serious issue it's a good way to minimize it. There must be an infiltrated hand in this affair.


(34) ASHER LANG 2/5/2008 12:27:00 PM
I"THER E IS A TIME AND PLACE FOR EVERYTHING"
IT IS CERTAINLY NOT THE RIGHT TIME AND PLACE WHEN THOUSANDS ARE MARCHING AND ENJOYING THE DAY SEEING FLOATS, ETC
THE HOLOCAUST DESERVES IT'S OWN TIME AND PLACE AND IT SHOULD NOT BE ABOUT A FLOAT DURING A MASSIVE PARADE, ANYWHERE.
A CHASUNA HAS A MOMENT OF BREAKING THE GLASS AND EVEN AT SOME WEDDINGS A SINGING OF IM ESKOCHAHCH YERUSHOLAYIM. WHICH WILL NEVER REALLY FEEL OUT PLACE AS THE CHOSSON & KALLAH ARE LOOKING FORWARD TO THEIR FUTURE AND BEST YEARS EVER AND AT THE SAME TIME WE ARE ALL REMEMBERING THE DESTRUCTION OF HE BAIS HAMIKDASH. AT A PARADE THERE CAN BE NOONE LOOKING OR FOR THAT MATTER LONGING FOR THE REBUILDING OF THE BAIS HAMIKDASH, SO MY ANSWER IS A DEFINITE NO AND THE FLOAT IS NOT AN ACCEPTABLE ITEM.



(35) Evelyn Eisenstein 2/5/2008 12:04:00 PM
how far does freedom of expression go?
The exihibit was forbidden before the Carnival Samba Parade by a Judge, after many Jews protested and re-acted to that "art model" of Holocaust, but the question again is how far "freedom of expression" permits (or not) Jews and/or Non-Jews to express their "humor", "opinion" or religious beliefs in a community or social group?


(36) EDITH TROPPER 2/5/2008 11:46:00 AM

HORRIBLE:A COMPLETE LACK OF SENSIBILITY FOR THE VICTIMS.I WONDER IF THE CATHOLIC CHURCH WILL PERMIT AN EXHIBIT OF CHRIST IN THE CROSS IN THIS PARADE.


(37) ben 2/5/2008 9:32:00 AM

not the right time


(38) Martha Cole 2/5/2008 9:18:00 AM
I do not agree.
Some how displaying dead bodies on a heap during a celebration, smells bad to me. Like celebating a cross of death as a memorial.


(39) Chana Zelasko 2/4/2008 10:09:00 PM
Leitzanut
To have a "Holocaust Float" is a Leitzanut (making fun of something serious).


(40) ale 2/4/2008 12:13:00 PM

for sure not the right time.. and for sure, it will have reprocation to all of us , worldwide


(41) Dvirah 2/4/2008 9:34:00 AM
I Agree - Not the Time or Place
Considering the rise of Antisemitism today, some of the spectators might misinterpret the display as a rejoicing in the killing of so many Jews - more especially as it is being displayed during a celebration. A parade does not give the spectator time to look and consider what is being shown. Therefore, ambivalent displays should be avoided.


(42) Judith Levy 2/4/2008 8:34:00 AM

As King Solomon said in Ecclesiastes there is a time and place for everything under the sun.
This certainly is not the time or place. First of all Mardi Gras is a Catholic celebration. Anything of a Jewish nature would be inappropriate to begin with. A holocaust reminder is in especially poor taste. I don't know what is happening to some Jewish values. People are of the opinion that anything goes anywhere. Well, it does not. I agree with you on this article. Sincerely yours, Judith Levy


(43) suzy 2/3/2008 5:53:00 PM
good point
good point, a parade is deffinately not the time and place to do it


(44) Susan Peden 2/3/2008 1:01:00 PM
Not the Time Nor Place
I believe there is a time and place for everything. Putting floats about the Holocaust in a parade is NOT RIGHT at ANY TIME OR PLACE! Yes, the Holocaust should NEVER be forgotten, but floats in a parade- that is going too far, making the Holocaust out to be more of a farce, then what these students THINK they are trying to accomplish. It is neither the time nor place: time being a festive parade celebrating life, and place being in the parade itself. It will definitely look like more of a slap in the face of those who survived the Holocaust, as well as to Jewish people as a whole.


(45) Rosen 2/3/2008 9:30:00 AM
timely happiness and misery
Different situations depend on one's perception. Happiness and misery comes from the inside-out internally, not from outside-in externally.


(46) Mordechai 2/3/2008 9:14:00 AM
Definitely anti-semitic
You failed to mention that along with mannequins of dead victims of the Holocaust, there will also be someone dressed as a live Hitler, may his name be erased. As Jose Roitberg, a federation spokesman for the Brazilian Jewish community said: "It's inadmissible that they could have a parade float depicting dead Jews and a live Hitler on top of them."


(47) Ross 2/3/2008 8:04:00 AM
Or at the Super Bowl half-time show, maybe?
These are the types of things that make people stare and say, "Huh?!" It makes a strong point that people think of strange ideas. Personally, I have a hard time with others bringing up Holocaust stories even at the Shabbos table, a time for menuchah and oneg. Yes, we break a glass at a wedding, but we don't sit on the floor and say kinos.