Today is Holocaust Memorial Day and I thought it should be marked with some poems.

First They Came by Pastor Martin Niemoller

First they came for the Communists
And I did not speak out
Because I was not a Communist
Then they came for the Socialists
And I did not speak out
Because I was not a Socialist
Then they came for the trade unionists
And I did not speak out
Because I was not a trade unionist
Then they came for the Jews
And I did not speak out
Because I was not a Jew
Then they came for me
And there was no one left
To speak out for me

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I Wasn’t There

A poem for Holocaust Memorial Day by Claire Guest

I wasn’t there beside you,

So I didn’t hear their words.

I can’t truly imagine

How much they must have hurt.

I didn’t see them come for you,

And take all you knew away.

It’s not right that anyone

Should have to feel that pain.

Six million; such a number

I cannot comprehend.

Unique, innocent people –

That shouldn’t be their end.

We couldn’t stop the horror,

We couldn’t stop the hate,

We can’t change this history;

We are here too late –

But what we can do is remember,

In our thoughts and in our ways;

Let these memories guide our actions,

And pray others do the same.

© Claire Guest 2013

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One person can make a difference by Gwyneth Lewis

The fight for justice starts and ends with me.

Truth is the sound of what I may say.

I can only be well when others are free

And right has a price I’m prepared to pay.

I refuse to be afraid

Of force or hatred.

I will pull their lies like weeds,

Plant gardens of more generous seeds.

If I turn my back and walk away

Who’ll ask for others what I want for me?

I can only be well when others are free

And right has a price I’m prepared to pay.

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We Remember Them by Sylvan Kamens & Rabbi Jack Riemer 

© Jewish Prayer Book