On the Bridge to the 21st Century (from Yaffa Eliach’s lecture)
Exactly 20 years ago, President Carter sent us on a special President's
commission to Europe, to recommend to him what kind of museum tobuild in Washington D.C.. In 1979 I came back to Poland, representing the President of USA. As the plane was flying from Warsaw toKiev to another place of death, suddenly, I realized that somewhere
below the clouds is my little hometown Eishyshok. And there and thenon the plane, I decided I am going to take Eishyshok as a model of life.
I am going to collect photos from around the globe to show life, and I
am going to write a book about the town.
In 1987, I felt now I am ready for making an exhibit, I was alreadywriting my book, but I felt I want to go back to Eishyshok because I
did have some questions, and I wanted to stand on the place where
everything happened for 900 years.
I was standing on the grave where the men were killed, and under
my feets were my grandmothers, my aunt, all my cousins, all my bestfriends, and I were standing on top of them. I didn't see them as deadpeople. I saw them as beautiful living people like in the pictures thatyou have here in the museum and the picture that you saw before thestage and the pictures you have in the exhibit.
Suddenly I felt they all came out from the grave
living, and they were holding on to me, they wereabove me, below me, around me, and they wereholding on to my jacket and saying, "Yaffa, remember us the way we were, and show the worldthat we were living wonderful people like all theordinary people around the globe". Suddenly Irealized the vision of the prophet Ezekiel and thedead people are becoming alive from the valleyof death.

I came back to America, and gave the idea to build a big tower withphotos all around and a person should stand on a bridge just as I stoodon a grave and to be surrounding by the living beautiful town filledwith wonderful ordinary people.
I was very impressed with your singing, with your videos, and there
was a beautiful presentation of intellectual questions. You did so manythings and an excellent play that you performed. The stage was filledwith you the entire day. Therefore, I think that you should become auniversal model of children who are dedicated to Holocaust education. Wherever I go, on the stage are always adults, and students arealways sitting in the audience. This is my first experience you are on
the stage. So for me you are not only on a stage, you are a bridge. I amon the other edge of bridge of the 20th century. You are the bridge tothe 21st century. May your bright minds, your great hearts and yourwonderful hands, they are wonderful great creative hands, open thebridge to a safe future for the human society and peace for all of us.
Thank you very much for inviting me to be with you on the bridge tothe 21st century. God bless you.

Japan Children’s Meeting in Okayama, Kyoto and TokyoJapan Children's Meeting on the Holocaust was also held in Okayama,
Kyoto and Tokyo. In each city, children managed the meetings andgave a deep impression to those who gathered, which of whom werealso children.
OKAYAMA: Main Events
1. Hatikva (sung by two high school students)
2. Introduction of the Holocaust (by students)
3. Lecture of Dr. Yaffa Eliach
4. Q & A (interpreted by a high school student)
The meeting was held in Gavoa Hall which gathered about 100 people,
especially many high school students. The meeting was mainly managed by 9 Okayama Joto Senior High School students who organized
the executive committee. Presided by High School students, the history of the Holocaust was introduced briefly also by students, which
helped the audience understand the lecture of Dr. Eliach very much.
Dr. Eliach talked about her own story of how she began to teach theHolocaust at universities. She also referred to how the high technology was used both in the atomic bomb which was dropped in Hiroshima
and in the Holocaust such as in Auschwitz. She emphasized that it is
the young people who are going to create the peaceful future and whoshould be the bridge to the 21st century.
KYOTO: Main Events
1. Video shown on the screen about the Holocaust
2. Lecture of Dr. Yaffa Eliach
3. Discussion
and questions
by the children
who gathered at
the meeting
The meeting inKyoto was heldin the Kyoto
M u s e u m forWorld Peace,Ritsumeikan
University.
Meeting at Kyoto.

About 60 children and 40 adults gathered for the meeting, and listened
to the lecture of Dr. Eliach, which for most of them was the first timeto hear a story from a Holocaust survivor. The tragic story of her experience and survival impressed the children very deeply, which afterwards lead the children to ask Dr. Eliach, how she feels about thepersecutors -- could she forgive them, and so on. This meeting wasalso prepared and managed by senior high school students, and after
the lecture, they asked the children in the audience to divide into six
groups and discuss about "What can I do to create peace?" Dr. Eliach
moved around the groups to answer questions and give suggestions.
The children had a very precious experience spending time with aHolocaust survivor so closely and hearing her story.
TOKYO: Main Events
1. Song of the Holocaust sang by a children's choir
2. Lecture of Dr. Yaffa Eliach
3. Q & A
The meeting in Tokyo was held in Tokyo Women's Plaza in which 280
people gathered, with many children.
Presided over by school children, a peace message was read by achild, and the song "Donna Donna" was performed by a children'schoir with music bells and voice.
In the lecture, Dr. Eliach said to the children, "I decided not to hate
those who killed my mother and my baby brother. I will live for loveand peace instead of hatred." One 5th grade girl spoke after the lecturee m o t i o n a l l y , "Weshould not just sympathize with the Jewish
children who were victimized but also do earnestly what they wanted
to do." This meeting inTokyo was covered by
NHK TV news in theevening, and also byother newspapers.

Meeting at Tokyo.

Sacred Mission to Educate
the People of JapanMoshe Ben Ya’akov, Israeli Ambassador to Japan
Reverend Otsuka, dear members of the community, shalom.
I am very happy to be here. The atmosphere,the warm reception, and especially your projectof Center for the Holocaust. It was for me like ahome coming when I approached the center anhour ago and already from far away I could recognize the Star of David. It was really gratifying
to find here in a place far from Israel in the center
M. Ben Ya’akov.
of Japan, that you are doing the sacred mission toeducate people of Japan about the terrible Holocaust. You are tellingthe others that the Holocaust was most horrifying tragedy in the long
history of the Jewish people.
Six million people, one third of the Jewish people, among them 1.5
children went to genocide in unprecedented plan. In during the same
century, 51 years ago, out of the ashes of the Holocaust, The Jewish
people realized one of its greatest achievements: It was a heroic achievement, the establishment of the State of Israel. The national home andthe land for the Jews as the center of the world Jewry. Israel was established, not as a result of the Holocaust, but in spite of the Holocaust.
The Nazis, the murders launched a plan to annihilate the Jewish
people from the face of the earth. It was the desire to destroy our hope,
to uproot our souls, our faith and to crash our existence.
Our spirit was never destroyed. Our faith never wavered. And there
is no better proof of this than the Holocaust survivor. To remarry, torecover, to bring new generations of children and grand children into
the world, and participate as they did in the founding of the state ofIsrael.
Their offspring stand today as a living proof of our victory. Victoryof life over death, justice over evil, and above all the victory of Jewish
people. Those who arose from the ashes.
I am talking, I am telling you seriously and honestly, that you can beproud of your center. It shows everything in a very simple way, itshows the meaning, the way, the results of the Holocaust. Two months
ago, we celebrated the 51st anniversary of Israel. Despite all external,and internal difficulties, we have built an outstanding country. We havea thriving economy level of technology among the most advanced in
the world, impressive scientific research, highly developed agriculture, and a very rich cultural life.
But most important, Israel is a home for every Jew in the world. Not
as in the past, whenever in trouble, the Jews have a place to go. And as
you know, in the recent years, Israel absorbed more than one million
Jews from different places and especially from the former Soviet Union.
And you know I talk about external difficulties, after so many years ofwars and strifes we achieved some peace agreement with our neighbors. Peace agreement with Egypt, peace agreement with Jordan, andmutual reconciliation with the Palestinians. The people of Israel, thegovernment of Israel are committed to peace. And we will do our utmost to continue the peace process with the Palestinian, with Lebanon, and with the Syria.
And back to your center. The center is a very important contributionof your community, Beit shalom, to the education of young generation
especially today. Remember, and not to forget, and to do outmost that
it will not be repeated. Unfortunately, there are some people who deny
the Holocaust, and even some cases in Japan. I must stress that it is not
only an important issue for the Jewish people, but it is a matter ofuniversal value and you can understand it.
I know also and appreciate the assistance and advice and involvement of Rev. Otsuka in building this center and giving some advice toanother center in Tokyo. This is the occasion to thank all of you, all
the community of Beit Shalom, and to bless your activity here in Japan in particular and Israel in general. Toda raba Thank you, andshalom.
(at HEC, Fukuyama, June 17, 1999)

NEWSLETTER
Published quarterly since 1995 by
Holocaust Education Center, JAPAN(In Memory of 1.5 million Jewish Children)

Expectation to the Future
Dear precious man, wonderful Reverend Makoto, his splendid wife,and charming children. We met at New York several times, you invited me to Japan for a few days. The museum that you built is full ofintelligence and love, and your way of your devoted work, and thiswill bring to the world days of calmness.
I met many clever students, but your students are amazing. They arebuilding a bridge between the lost world and expectation to the future
full of hope and goodness.
Your love to Jewish people and to the language of Hebrew, rise andshine like the eternal lamp. With appreciation and lots of friendship,
From a person who believes in your great job.
Yaffa Eliach (13th of Av, 5759 July 29, 1999)

Keep on Going with Strength Forever
Dear the special reverend, Makoto
A man who was sailing in the middle of
the raging sea, discovers a safety island.
It was like this to visit and see your center. I didn't expect to see in Japan a exhibition so beautiful, delicate and fullof content like your center. From thewalls stares at you wisdom, love andhope. If you want to know what is loveof human kind, go to the center. If you
want to know what is love to Israel, ameeting with Makoto will teach you.
Who heard in a church a Hebrew song,Hebrew letters. Only in your center allof this brotherhood is fulfilled.
Thank you for every thing that you
did, and I'm sure that there is a hope ina future, if so much youth participate
and find out the love like this to people
Yaffa & Davidof Israel, to knowing the Holocaust andEliachin Hiroshima.
to love of human kind. Keep on goingwith strength forever. Thank you for the wonderful hospitality. I neversaw people so devoting and loving like you. You and your wife havespecial souls. Keep them with you.
David Eliach (July 29, 1999)
HECHECHECHECHECHECHECHECHECHEC

Standing as a Watchman
There are no words to describe our impression of our visit that we
made at this holy place. Here Father Otsuki established his first churchof his group after receiving his revelation at Manchuria (now NorthEastern part of China). Here Reverend Makoto Otsuka built a museum with holy message to remember the six million, who were killedby the Nazis - may their name and memory be eliminated.
I was excited by a special excitement here, because the group Beit
Shalom has established at this place with love, sensitiveness, spirituality and true Zionism, a bridge between Jewish people and Christian-- all of the world is a narrow bridge, and you are realizing this bridgein these days of madness where there are people who deny the Holocaust. You are serving the role of standing as a watchman towards theentire Eastern Asia.
The visit to this center became a very important reference point inour life. We will never forget this holy place that filled us with sorrowand tears but also gave us hope that there are people like you who carein favor of us. If there were more Righteous among the Nations like
Father Otsuki and you people, the Holocaust would not have happened!
With love,
Jonathan and Iris Davis, Hebrew University of Jerusalem(June 29, 1999)
Editor-in-Chief : Masaru OTSUKI
Advisory Board : Rabbi James M. Lebeau (Jerusalem)
Editorial Staff : Makoto OTSUKA, A.YOSHIDAF.ISHIOKA, H.OKA