The Holocaust Memorial Museum uncovers and explores the sacred underpinnings of these increasingly influential institutions. It reveals and traces the transformation of ancient Jewish symbols, rituals, archetypes and narratives in these sites, arguing that the effect of these 'built theodicies' is to turn 'what the Holocaust was', and 'what it has come to mean', into largely redemptive narratives. Avril Alba brings these insights to bear on three major Holocaust memorial museums in the USA, Israel and Australia, demonstrating how in each institution the mythic scope of these sacred visions radically transforms the meaning of the history 'on display', producing diverse and sometimes conflicting conclusions as to the meaning and utility of Holocaust memory in the present.
Arvustused
Albas book is an outstanding contribution to the discussion of what can and ought to follow the imminent arrival of the post-participant stage in Holocaust memorialization. (Arthur Shostak, The European Legacy, Vol. 22 (5), March, 2017)
List of Illustrations
viii
Acknowledgements
ix
Introduction
1
(5)
1 The Holocaust Memorial Museum: A Built Theodicy
6
(34)
2 Negative Epiphany: From Sinai to Washington
40
(49)
3 From Tent to Temple: Resurrection in Jerusalem
89
(46)
4 A Redeemer Cometh: The Survivor in the Space
135
(51)
Conclusion: The Return of Myth to History
186
(11)
Notes
197
(34)
Bibliography
231
(13)
Index
244
Avril Alba is Lecturer in Holocaust Studies and Jewish Civilisation at the University of Sydney, Australia. From 2002-2011 she was the Education Director at the Sydney Jewish Museum where she also served as the Project Director/Curator for the refurbishment of the Sydney Jewish Museum's permanent exhibition 'Culture and Continuity'. She teaches, researches and consults in the areas of Holocaust representation, Jewish and museum studies.
