Remember, Return, Repair: Holocaust Memory and Israeli-Palestinian Trauma

This presentation explores the intersections of Holocaust memory, trauma, and teshuva—the Jewish concept of return and repair—focusing on the impact of Holocaust memory in the context of Israeli settler-colonialism. Drawing on the works of Marianne Hirsch, Naomi Klein, Abdaljawad Omar, and Maimonides, the presentation examines how Holocaust memory has been weaponized to justify violence against Palestinians, perpetuating cycles of trauma rather than facilitating healing. Hirsch’s concept of postmemory shows how the trauma of the Holocaust is transmitted through generations, distorting collective identity and preventing growth. Klein highlights how re-traumatization traps communities in perpetual victimhood, hindering transformation. Omar’s work on settler-colonialism demonstrates how Palestinian suffering is erasure within global narratives, further entrenching injustice. Teshuva—as a process of self-reflection, return, and repair—offers a framework for Jewish communities to confront the weaponization of Holocaust memory and engage in ethical solidarity with Palestinians, creating space for justice, empathy, and healing.