By Joel A Moskowitz MD
DEL MAR, California — The forthcoming San Diego County Fair in Del Mar is expected to have over one and a half million visitors. Fun loving persons will be exposed to a theme of “Game On.” The games enjoyed through the ages, board games and onward to games that are played through the internet will be a challenging attraction. Entrance will entitle you to experience the culinary varieties such as bacon dipped chocolate and other medically frowned upon edibles.
A wide selection of amusing shows including hypnotism and conjuring will be on the bill. Music of every taste is there for the enjoyment. This annual fair, began as an agricultural exposition, is still a venue for the presentation for what is grown on the farms of California – animals as well.
Would you expect an exhibition devoted to remembering the Holocaust? A sobering exhibition awaits. The Museum of Tolerance of the Simon Wiesenthal Center is sponsor of this provocative collection of photographs. Divided into periods: 1933-38 the time where persecution ramped up; 1939-41 mass killing by Nazi Germany; 1941-45 conquering Nazism and rebuilding lives.
It has been documented that antisemitism is on the rise. Iran has been a vocal source of holocaust denial. Conspiracy theories, use of the discredited myth of ‘blood libel’ continue to flourish. Secretary of State Kerry urged countries to protect free religious practices. He decried governments which do not protect their minorities religions from harassment…Christianity in Muslim countries is a target. Threats to convert, imprisonment, social discrimination, and violence are unacceptable. Jews have been the target of hate over 2000 years. The persecution of others is historically not far behind.
Silence is unacceptable.
The motto : NEVER AGAIN would be appropriately joined to NEVER FORGET.
Over twenty years, this exhibit has been viewed by 1.5 million people. San Diego Fair expects 1.5 million . Hopefully, this will be educational for most.
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Moskowitz is a freelance writer based in La Jolla, California. He may be contacted at joel.moskowitz@sdjewishworld.com