joshuazelinsky

 

In a Jewish context, we often don't talk about the experience of Jewish Danes. Denmark's Resistance, its people and its government took steps matched by no other country to protect its Jewish citizens from the Nazis. As a result,  99% of Denmark's Jews survived the war.  It is in these trying times, where there is a threat not just some minority groups, but to each and every person,  a reminder that the actions that you take, the actions your leaders take, the actions your politicians take, and the actions of those around you, can have a real impact. That is an impact not just on the quality of lives, but whether people have lives at all.   

 

In that context, it feels appropriate that although Denmark officially marks May 5th as Liberation Day, the celebration begins at nightfall on the 4th with the lighting of candles, for Jewish holidays always begin the night of a date, and often involves candles being lit.  

 

My own ancestors who were Polish Jews were not so lucky as most of the Danish Jews. My grandmother went through Auschwitz, and many of her family and friends were killed. My grandfather fought in the Polish Resistance.  Some Polish Jews tried to return to their homes after the war, and were met with further anti-semitism and violence, including the Kielce pogrom and Krakow pogroms, which were caused in part by the classic blood libel. The Danish tradition is not my tradition. I think that this year though, I will be lighting a candle in my window. We could all use a reminder of the power of individuals to make the world a better place.