The Yom Hashoah Menorah

The present pandemic has seriously effected our programmes this year, but has far from stopped works in the house. As part of these works over the summer, we have transferred the Yom Hashoah Menorah, that had been presented to Cardinal Carlo Maria Martini, from our Museum to the entrance of our classroom, named after him, and where it may be better appreciated by our students.

The Yom Hashoah Menorah was presented to Cardinal Carlo Maria Martini, then Archbishop Emeritus of Milan, by the Center for Interreligious Understanding, and dedicated at a ceremony held at the Pontifical Biblical Institute on Sunday 2nd December 2007. In the words of the CIU Executive Director, Rabbi Jack Bemporah:

CIU’s Menorah Project provides an opportunity for Jews and Christians to come together to learn about our history, our shared values and why we must live and work together for a world of justice and peace. At a time when religious conflict defines so much of our lives, the light of the menorah is a source of hope and a constant reminder that the work of reconciliation and understanding must be our own.

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The menorah, work of the Israeli artist Aharon Bezalel, has six candle holders, held by men, women and children, symbolising the six million Jews who perished in the Shoah. At the centre, is a seventh figure, in prayer. All the figures are standing on a star of David, that is almost, but not completely, broken.

At the base are the words יתגדל ויתקדש שמיה רבר (Exalted and sanctified be His great name), the opening words of the Qaddish prayer, part of the mourning rituals in Jewish tradition, and also used to commemorate those killed in the Shoah.

An earlier version of this candelabrum was presented in 1999 to Pope John Paul II.