Michael Daley

Professor Kirsh

Voices from the Holocaust

Journal 1

The Holocaust is not a fun subject. You do not start studying the Holocaust in the

interest of an enjoyable class to fulfill one requirement or another, but there is certainly

something interesting and strangely compelling about this terrible period. I am a biology major

with no real inclination to study history or religion for the rest of my life, but here I am. Quite a

journey has taken me to this point, and I hope this class will only further my understanding.

Before 9th grade, I had not done much study into the Holocaust; I was more focused on other

areas of history, mainly ancient Greek and Roman. However, my English class freshman year did

a unit on the Holocaust, and my perspective changed. We read Night, by Elie Wiesel, changing

how I thought about the Holocaust. While everyone else in my class was talking about the horror,

I was thinking about the person. I wanted to know just how Wiesel could write down what he

had witnessed. I wanted to get inside his head. One year later I was given the chance. My school

performed Who Returned my Soul, a collection of Holocaust monologues. I was given Isaac

Klein to portray, the most raw and horrific story, but I was ready. I dedicated myself to the part,

just trying to understand what compelled these people to keep going. I performed that

monologue many times, but every time I stepped on stage and spoke of my many deaths, I got a

little closer to understanding. The next year I continued my research into these people by being a

part of The Diary of Anne Frank in my community. I wanted and still want to be able to feel

these peoples pain in whatever little way I can. I want to impart on others the imperative nature

of this topic and keep people from growing complacent with the past. I know I can never truly

understand what happened during the Holocaust, but I can learn about the people who were in it.