Simon Wiesenthal, 1908-2005

[angie999]

It is with great sadness that I have to report the death today in Vienna of Simon Wiesenthal, age 96.

See:
http://today.reuters.com/news/newsAr...archived=False

I believe that particularly in the early years, in the 1950s and into the 1960s, Wiesenthal's work made a massive contribution to identifying Nazi war criminals and mass murders and helped nudge reluctant governments of that time into taking action.

He was not a hero of the Holocaust years themselves, as far I know, but I had no hesitation in posting this under the heroes topic for what he achieved.

Rest in peace, Simon.

[Kiwiwriter]

The news said that Wiesenthal died in his sleep, which is probably the best way to go. A few years ago, Wiesenthal said his job was over...the major Nazi war criminals had all been brought to justice or had died, and only a few aging small fry were left.

He outlasted Hitler, he outlasted the Third Reich, he outlasted the Nazis, he outlasted their ideology, and he outlasted the oppressors he brought to justice, and was able, finally, to die in peace, having finished his mission.

Today we can take some comfort in the fact that the Holocaust and its horrors are remembered on a global scale. Despite the whining of deniers and neo-Nazis, Hitler and all of his works have been rejected by civilization. Neo-Nazis are objects of vilification and ridicule, only capable of the occasional outrage (Matt Hale) or raising blood pressure with hijinks (Prussian Blue) or demonstrations. Outside of the Arab world and a few websites, anti-Semitism is no longer legitimate or popular.

But sadly, genocide goes on...Bosnia, Rwanda, the Sudan. And even more sadly, the end is nowhere in sight. But it's ended for Simon Wiesenthal, and I mourn his loss. Above all, he was a mensch.

[laufer]

Originally Posted by angie999

He was not a hero of the Holocaust years themselves, as far I know, but I had no hesitation in posting this under the heroes topic for what he achieved.

But he was a survivor of the Holocaust and a hero of the JUSTICE.
I hope it is not the end of the Center he founded.

[Kiwiwriter]

Originally Posted by Laufer

But he was a survivor of the Holocaust and a hero of the JUSTICE.
I hope it is not the end of the Center he founded.

The center is in good shape, run now by Rabbi Marvin Hier, and they have a website. I subscribe to their e-mails. They sell some useful books and materials on both the Holocaust and tolerance education.

I just wish there was a better term than "tolerance." Tolerance means you are putting up with those you despise. The phrase should really be "acceptance."

[Exxley]

Kiwi wrote :

A few years ago, Wiesenthal said his job was over...the major Nazi war criminals had all been brought to justice or had died, and only a few aging small fry were left.



Well, I wonder if that means that Wiesenthal had learnt something about the fate of Brunner (like some info from the Syrians confirming the death of Brunner).