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The Avenue of Righteous Gentiles
By Bottleblondesurfer
13 July 2006
This is a reaction to a visit I made last year. I hope I’ve communicated something. I don’t where to put it. It’s not quite anything; perhaps it doesn’t belong anywhere. I will happily remove it if it causes offence.
 

The trees here are not beautiful. They are too small and starved looking. They have no conventional beauty. It’s only to be expected in this harsh arid climate. They have that wind-blasted look, stark against the blinding sun. They haven’t been planted in any pattern for order, just a straggly line of stunted trees. But I am mesmerised by them. I study each one carefully as I walk along the avenue.
Of course it wouldn’t be an avenue without trees, just a dusty path on the outskirts of Jerusalem. I wasn’t expecting them. I was expecting something grander, more monumental. They look out of place in a country where the beautiful is commonplace and the spectacular is accepted. But neither the sunset on Masada or the Chagal windows brought tears to my eyes as these trees have done.
Each one has a name pegged to it but it doesn’t denote their species. It is a person’s name. Each tree, here, represents  a human being; someone who stood out , took a stance and made a difference. Their defiance is reflected in the trees that survive against the odds.
The Jews have a saying “You save a life and you save the world entire” It is, perhaps, an overly optimistic philosophy and these trees a concrete realisation of it as they line the path up to the Holocaust Museum. No gentile can visit the Yad Vashem without feeling a sense of shame and remorse. But in an act of reconciliation the Israelis have called the path to it the Avenue of Righteous  Gentiles and planted a tree for every non-Jew who helped when they were powerless. When an overwhelming force was bent on their destruction a few people reached out to help them. It’s understandable that it was only a few who risked the might of  Nazi Germany but it made the stance of the few even more exceptional. I look at them and marvel that they are here at all.
I can’t help wondering if I would have had the courage and humanity to do enough to earn a tree. I would probably have done nothing like millions of others and with good justification have said
“What could I have done against that power?” But a few exercised their personal freedom in actions that went beyond heroism and reached into the core our humanity. And their actions are acknowledged in these trees. And to me no building, statue or obelisk could be as powerful and moving as these stunted but living trees.
 

Reviews

Written by Clifftown (619 comments posted) 13th July 2006
This is a lovely piece of writing, frank and heartfelt. The simplicity of the line of living trees commemorating outstanding courage, rather than grand buildings or statues, makes this piece all the more poignant.  
 
Makes you think.
Hi BBS
Written by BrianRobertNeal (1195 comments posted) 13th July 2006
I suppose this should really be on non-fiction. 
 
Brian
Idea
Written by givitsum (651 comments posted) 13th July 2006
Well written. My mate went to Auschwitz and felt like crying. 
 
It's given me an idea, so thanks for that. 
 
Givitsum
Good story and what a nice idea.
Written by jean.day (2253 comments posted) 14th July 2006
I liked the way the beginning didn't really let you know what it was all about. Well worth writing about, and reading.
Appreciated
Written by Bottleblondesurfer (3285 comments posted) 14th July 2006
Thanks for taking the time to comment i really appreciate it 
Clifftown thanks for your response I'm so glad you got the point 
I know someone who went to Auschwitz it took him a while to get over it Givitsm 
And jean, very generous comment thanks 
I got your PM Brian 
cheers BBS
Poignant
Written by mishmish (389 comments posted) 14th July 2006
Hi BBS 
 
Superb piece of writing... 
 
I think you've captured everything in the line: 
 
"Their defiance is reflected in the trees that survive against the odds." 
 
I am pleased you posted this... 
 
Really well done! 
 
best wishes 
 
mishmish x
Go for it...
Written by woody44 (774 comments posted) 17th July 2006
This was a lovely piece of evocotive writing MrsB. I think it would work really well as a journalistic article.Why not try offering it to one of the daily papers.Go on, aim high..this writing deserves a wider audience. 
 
 
happy writing 
woody

Written by Gill21 (566 comments posted) 25th July 2006
A simple and beautiful piece. I am truely moved. 
I am new and not really qualified to critique however i adored it. It is certainly relevant to what goes on in the world today, and makes you think, which is what all good writing should do. I will certainly be thinking about those people tonight. 
I agree with woody44, would make a great article.  

Written by anna_svit-kona (42 comments posted) 28th July 2006
It was very interested.  
First of all I loved your round about way of getting to the point. The beginning is perfect.I think that the point comes across very well. I love the way you discibed things. It most likely would make a good article. 
"I can’t help wondering if I would have had the courage and humanity to do enough to earn a tree. I would probably have done nothing like millions of others...." 
I also think that part is good. The honesty, the openness is very well done. 
Keep the good work up!

Written by Fledermaus (3219 comments posted) 13th February 2008
Wonderful piece indeed. I once stumbled upon the term by accident and looked a few of those people. Many of the stories are incredible and sad, for it seems many of them paid a heavy price for their courage. I think it's very good that these people are remembered in this way, not only because of their individual actions, but moreover because their stories show that even in such dark days, there are people with so much courage and such a sense of compassion that they are willing to risk their lives to safe others.

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