Although I’ve known that the Taiwan holocaust museum is somewhere out there since my first month in Tainan, it is only this week that I was able to figure out where it was hiding. An email from a European holocaust funds organization asking me about the museum has convinced me it was time for me to make the effort of finding it, and my slowly-evolving Chinese skills helped me in looking the basic details up on the Taiwanese websphere.
The Haaretz article told the story of the aboriginal pastor and his family who opened a holocaust museum in the second floor of their church. Arriving there at first, it seemed closed, but I walked around and finally found someone inside and they got me in touch with pastor Alex who heads the church with his father pastor Joe.
After visiting the Chimei private museum, I met with pastor Alex and he showed me around their second floor’s museum and explained about the day they give Taiwanese school kids that come to their church to learn about the holocaust.
It was quite surprising to see what a good job they did with the very little resources that they had. The holocaust artifacts that they were able to put up for display came as a donation from the Japanese Kyoto holocaust museum.
The church, as far as I understand it, follows something similar to the Messianic-Jews, and so I got to see alot of Hebrew around with “Shalom” (peace) signs, and invitations to the holy Saturday service which follows the Jewish traditions of family centered candles, bread and wine. Hopefully, I’ll have the chance to come visit them in the next one to join them and maybe offer them some more information of how we do it.
Somewhat surreal finding something like this in the outskirts of Tainan County countryside.
… Does R’ Einhorn know that Holocaust awareness in Taiwan is essentially run by Jews for Jesus?
For what it’s worth, the Chinese wording on the plaque “Taiwan Holocaust Education Center” actually says “Taiwan World Peace Foundation”…
This would make sense as the Chinese name on the church tower clearly says “Christian Church”.
BarNavi – huh? R’ Einhorn comes to visit them every now and again, according to what -they- say.
But, I don’t understand – Is it important who promotes awareness for the Holocaust? as long as it’s not used to promote other “interests” and isn’t done in an improper way, I don’t see how it’s relevant who promotes it.
Very interesting. I’m going to have to check that out – I’m currently living in Lujhu and my local train station (Dahu) is only two stops from Bao An. I’ve passed it four times in the last couple of days. Very cool!
Staci
Staci – oh, I just realized that there are two Lujhu in Taiwan. I wasn’t aware there’s one on the way to Kaohsiung.
Let me know what you think of it after you visit it.
BTW – while you’re there, I’d stop by the very impressive Chimei museum 2 blocks from there, also by the BaoAn station. One of the best private museums I’ve seen.