REMEMBERING THE PAST

April 2004
		Two people who have survived periods of horrific genocide have teamed up to tell people about their experiences in the Holocaust and Rwanda's civil war, with the hope of preventing such acts from happening again. David Gewirtzman and Jacqueline Murekatete answer your questions.

Forum Introduction What is it within a society that causes genocide and what can one do? What locations and situations in the world currently hold the potential for genocide? What is it within you that keeps you from being bitter and what would you hope to instill in people to carry with them in their daily lives? Are you ever criticized by other Jews for drawing the connection between the Holocaust and the Rwandan genocide, as well as similar atrocities in the history of humanity? When you were in Poland, were you were able to contact the family who hid you and your family? Mr. Gewirtzman, it was about 50 years before you went back to Poland. Why so long? And Ms. Murekatete, how will you decide when to go back to Rwanda? Is there a book written about Rwanda, or are there materials to illustrate the similarities between the Rwanda experience and the Holocaust? How do you feel about the United States government's inaction in Rwanda? Have you shared your story with anyone in the U.S. government? What factors caused one tribe to rise up against another in Rwanda?	Joe of New Orleans asks: Mr. Gewirtzman, it was about 50 years before you went back to Poland. Why so long? And Ms. Murekatete, how will you decide when to go back to Rwanda? Thank you. David Gewirtzman responds: While I was drawn to go back to Poland almost from the time I left, neither physically nor emotionally was it possible. Until I was established in the U.S. I could not even think about it. The communist regime in Poland was not friendly to U.S. citizens or to contact between them and Polish citizens. Nevertheless we did start an infrequent correspondence with the family that helped us, including sending packages of mostly clothing. The pain was still too strong for me to be able to visit. After the fall of the communists the contact became much more frequent. There were two prior visits to Losice by my sister and a visit to the U.S. by one of the granddaughters of the farmer. Jacqueline Murekatete responds: I know that going to Rwanda will be a very hard and traumatic experience for me. I fear how going back especially going back to my village, where I grew up, and not seeing my loved ones will affect me. But most survivors, including myself feel the need to go back at one time or another. Some people say it is for closure. So yes I do plan to go back to Rwanda in a couple of years, first though I also have to receive my green card without which I cannot leave the country and be able to come back. When I do go though I do not know how the trip will affect me. I can only hope for the best.   Patrick Nagel of Ukiah, Calif., asks: I'm a teacher who is about to teach a unit on the Holocaust. Among other things, we'll be reading "Night" by Elie Wiesel. My question is: Is there a book written about Rwanda, or are there materials I could bring in to illustrate the similarities between the Rwanda experience and the Holocaust? I would like the discussion to lead to the cry: Never Again! Thank you both. David Gewirtzman responds: I commend you for the good work you do. As for materials on Rwanda and the Holocaust you have an excellent source in your own state: The Wiesenthal Tolerance Center in LA. Jacqueline Murekatete responds: Yes, there several books that have been written about the genocide in Rwanda. You can get a list of them by going to Web sites like Amazon.com or BarnesNoble.com. I personally recommend books entitled "We Wish to Inform You That Tomorrow We Will Be Killed With Our Families," by Philip Gourevitch, and "A Problem From Hell" by Samantha Power which examines not only the genocide in Rwanda, but other genocides that have taken place.