THE MEMORIAL BOOK OF PÁPA JEWRY - JewishGen

eaching Man. They did not want to acknowledge that loving God means loving Man – and
loving Man means loving the same divine face in all the people. They did not want to admit that
the pseudo-science based on racial instincts was a mockery of the unity of the human race created
in the divine image.
This book commemorates the faithful and unbeliever alike, observants and non-observants
sharing the same faith. They had to die because they belonged to the mother of all monotheistic
teachings sanctified by the blood of martyrs – to Judaism. Through its followers, this teaching
preached morality to all mankind, and with the help of its prophets dreamt about the time when
all people would live in love, peace and understanding. Our beloved ones suffered. Their pain
was not the fear of death, but the unprecedented humiliation of being outcast from divine and
human rights. Our martyrs were not afraid of death, they rather longed for the end of their
suffering. Before they came to that point, mothers' souls died many times for not knowing what
happened to their children.
I do not want to speak about the suffering or the horrors. Since 1944, we have been
sobbing over all our pains, all our tears have been shed. I would rather think of the sacred work
that used to be carried out in Pápa, as you can find it in the book.
Tradition and progress characterized this Athens of the Transdanubia. "To bow in front of
the unshakable order of the ethical world, to give in to the word of the law, which calls on the
finite, frail man to surrender to his Infinite, Almighty Creator". 3
This book commemorates the Jews of Pápa, their history and spirit in a dignified manner.
Every chapter, each and every word is permeated with love, faith and loyalty. Its author Gyula
4
Láng, our Uncle Gyula, מאש ‏,מוצל also escaped from fire קדש מבצתה and 5 ‏,זרע carried out a sacred
job. Gratitude is owed to him for his valuable work. This work, the most beautiful monument to
our Martyrs, was accomplished in Israel…
The Book commemorates the 200-year history of our hometown, its special, pleasant and
charming customs and traditions, together with the martyrs who lived in this spirit. We think of
them with reverence, believing that
"There are stars whose light still shine on earth, when they are already not in their former
place. There are people whose memory still shines when they are not among us any more". 6
We acknowledge this important spiritual heritage with love and believe that only man can
be killed because
"Though you are touched by the wind of fading
Your rich scent, your better self,
The spirit will live". 7
Dr. Henry Emmery Kraus
Chief Rabbi from Los Angeles, USA
3 Dr. Ármin Perls
4 Zechariah 3:2
5 Yeshayahu 6:13
6 Channa Szenes.
7 János Arany.
6