Obj. ID: 57514
  Memorials  Holocaust Memorial in Etz Chaim Congregation in Marietta, GA, USA

Name of Monument        

Etz Chaim Synagogue Holocaust Memorial Garden

What/Who is commemorated

Victims of the Holocaust

Jews of the Warsaw Ghetto

Description 

The present appearance is the result of the redesign and rebuilding project in 2012.

As one approaches the synagogue from the parking area a bronze sign at ground level points to the “Holocaust Garden” to the left. A concrete sidewalk leads to an open area behind the sanctuary enclosed by trees and a low hedge. Immediately to the left of the path is a metal stand on a concrete base. The stand has a flat top on which is affixed a printed a numbered guide map of the memorial garden and explanatory text. A short vertical backing of the stand includes a space for a memorial candle.  Set at ground level against the base of the stand is a flat stone, set on its edge, with a dedicatory inscription.

As one enters the garden a bronze plaque describing the railroad tracks and cobblestones is affixed to the exterior wall of the synagogue on the right. On the right is an area paved with cobblestones brought from Warsaw, across the center of which is a brick path bordered by to iron rail tracks from the rail line that transported Jews from Warsaw to Treblinka.

The brick path leads to the central element of the memorial garden, a raised brick platform with a sculpted memorial in the center. Many of the bricks are inscribed as memorials (this was also a way of fund-raising for ther 2012 renovation). The base of the sculpture appears to be concrete white painted black. It is hexagonal set in the surrounding brick and then rises above the pavement level in the shape of a Magen David.  From The center of the star rise six black granite rectangular pillars which cluster around a central lamp.  The pillars end at different levels, with flat tops, on which visitors place memorial stones.

Two simple gray granite benches are set on each side near the platform edge.  Memorial plaques are set behind each bench.

(For a full description of the original design and the changes in 2012 see: https://fjmc.org/sites/default/files/webform/torch2013/etz_chaim_1711_-_holocaust_garden_renewal_-_overview_and_summary.pdf ) 

 Inscriptions

On inscribed stone at base of information stand:

ETZ CHAIM MEN'S CLUB

DEDICATES THIS GARDEN

TO THE MEMORY OF OUR LOVED ONES

AND TO ALL WHO PERISHED

IN THE HOLOCAUST 

Plaque on wall:

THE TWO RAILWAY SECTIONS ARE ORIGINAL RAILS WHICH

LED TO THE TREBLINKA DEATH CAMP.

THESE ARTIFACTS REMIND US OF

THE JOURNEY WHICH MEMBERS OF

OUR FAITH TOOK TO THEIR FINAL DESTINATION.

THE COBBLESTONES ARE ORIGINAL COBBLESTONES

FROM THE WARSAW GHETTO.

THESE ARTIFACTS PROUDLY REMIND US OF THE FIERCE

RESISTANCE OF THE JEWS IN THE WARSAW GHETTO AND

SERVE AS A SYMBOL OF OUR CONSTANT STRUGGLE FOR

SURVIVAL AND OUR FAITH AND HOPE FOR THE FUTURE.

WE THANK THE US HOLOCAUST MEMORIAL MUSEUM IN

WASHINGTON DC FOR THEIR ASSISTANCE IN

PROVIDING THIS

“PIECE OF HISTORY”

FOR OUR HOLOCAUST MEMORIAL GARDEN.

On plaque on path:

תנצבה

MAY THEIR SOULS

BE BOUND UP IN THE BOND OF LIFE

WITH GRATITUDE TO

THE RAND FAMILY

FOR THEIR VISION AND

THEIR GENEROSITY 

Plaque behind bench:

BENCH DEDICATED BY

PENINA (PENNY) BOWMAN

IN LOVING MEMORY OF

MOTHER LEAH WEISZ FRIED

PERISHED IN AUSCHWITZ, 1944

FATHER EIZIG FRIED

DIED IN DACHAU, 1945

AND IN MEMORY OF MY 40 OTHER RELATIVES

I LOST IN THE HOLOCAUST  ז''ל

Plaque behind bench:

BENCH DEDICATED BY

DEBBIE & JEFF FRANKEL

A TRIBUTE JUST TO SAY,

WE STILL REMEMBER

IN LOVING MEMORY OF

EDNA & DANIEL FRANKEL ז''ל

BELOVED PARENTS WHO ARE FOREVER

MISSED, STILL LOVED, STILL OURS

Commissioned by

The Rand Family (originally), Etz Chaim Men’s Club (restoration)