We invite you to a book discussion in observance of Holocaust Memorial Day – Yom HaShoah. We invite your participation and your questions.
Lunch & Learn
with Rabbi Vered L. Harris and Rabbi Susan E. Lippe
Thursday, April 24, 12-1pm
In-Person or Via Zoom Meeting ID 857 4813 1977
Temple B’nai Israel, Oklahoma City, OK
in observance of Holocaust Memorial Day – Yom HaShoah
Shalom, shalom. This is my list of discussion questions for a class about The Sunflower: On the Possibilities and Limits of Forgiveness, by Simon Wiesenthal (Originally published in 1969.)
[We probably won’t get to all of these questions and/or these questions in this particular order. We are looking forward to including participants’ questions as well.]
The main question for this book is – Should Simon have forgiven the Nazi? Would you have forgiven the Nazi? That is the question that concludes the book. It seems essential to our discussion of the book, but it doesn’t have to be our first discussion question. [I would add to Wiesenthal’s question. What do you think it means that he never told the Nazi whether or not he forgave him? Would you have done it differently? Was he waiting for forgiveness or an answer?]
Does everyone deserve to die in peace? Why or why not?
What does it mean to “lose feelings?” What does it mean to “lose feelings for death?” Do you have any experience like this? What do you think they mean? OR: do you think this experience is limited to torture, trauma, and/or an attempted genocide? Why or why not? Related: Do you think the encounter with the dying Nazi re-ignite some feelings in Simon?
Do you believe that the Nazi had truly repented? Why or why not? How would that change what you think about Simon’s response and/or your own response?
Why do you think the Nazi want Simon to have his things? Do you think Simon should have accepted them? Why or why not? Would you have accepted them? Why or why not?
What do you think about collective guilt? Wiesenthal comments on the collective guilt/shame of the Germans. “The question of Germany’s guilt may never be settled. But one thing is certain: no [contemporary] German can shrug off the responsibility. Even if he has no personal guilt, he must share the shame of it. As a member of a guilty nation, he must share the shame of it. As a member of a guilty nation he cannot simply walk away like a passenger leaving a tramcar, whenever he chooses. It is the duty of the Germans to find out who was guilty.” (93) Do you agree with Wiesenthal? Why or why not?
Personal Note: I’m offended by people who ascribe behavior to God in the Holocaust. We have no idea about what God was doing/thinking during the Holocaust. I think that it’s possible God shortened the Holocaust and/or saved a remnant of Jews, but I cannot know because I’m HUMAN. This is why this is not a question for our book discussion.
General Notes:
So many people were affected by the Holocaust – Jewish and non-Jewish people, hetero- and homosexual people, people from all socio-economic classes, and more. We would like to share this topic/discussion with as many people as possible. Please feel free to invite any interested folks among your Jewish and non-Jewish friends and neighbors. Forgiveness is a universal value. Anyone who wishes to learn with us is welcome. Temple B’nai Israel is a welcoming place for people of color, people of any gender and/or sexuality, people with disabilities – for everyone.
We recommend this book for readers ages 13 and up.
Talking about the Holocaust is hard. We strive to make this a calm, respectful, welcoming event focused on learning. However, talking about antisemitism, hate, murder, torture, and other events/ideas related to the Holocaust can bring up challenging emotions for anyone. We will understand if you don’t feel like talking and/or staying in the room for the full hour.
Learning the Hard Way 