A Tribute to Resilience and Remembrance

The Gus Herrman Holocaust Memorial Garden, located at Beth Israel Congregation in Jackson, Mississippi, stands as a powerful tribute to the memory of those who perished in the Holocaust and a testament to the resilience of the Jewish people. Designed by Andrew Cary Young of Pearl River Glass Studio, this memorial tells the story of oppression, survival, and hope through striking glass sculptures and architectural elements that invite reflection and remembrance.

A Story Told Through Glass

The memorial features seven towering glass sculptures, each representing key themes of the Holocaust. Abstract yet deeply evocative, these works of art capture moments such as Kristallnacht (The Night of Broken Glass), the Ghettos, Book Burnings, and the Striped Cloth worn by concentration camp prisoners. The designs are deliberately open-ended, allowing each visitor to interpret and engage with the imagery in a personal way.

Each sculpture incorporates numerals from the tattoo of Gilbert Metz, a Holocaust survivor and former member of Beth Israel Congregation. This inclusion ensures that the memorial remains deeply personal and connected to those who lived through these atrocities.

Symbolic Design and Craftsmanship

The spiral walkway leading through the memorial is embedded with steel railroad tracks, symbolizing the trains that transported millions to concentration camps. The concrete retaining wall evokes the harsh structures of the camps, while the lighting elements within the sculptures create a sense of transformation—honoring the past while looking toward the future.

The glass used in the sculptures was crafted using advanced kiln-forming techniques, requiring meticulous precision to achieve the desired depth, texture, and color. These elements were designed not only to tell a story but to interact with light, shifting in appearance with the time of day and season—creating a dynamic, living tribute.

A Memorial for All

Beyond commemorating Jewish victims of the Holocaust, this memorial also acknowledges the suffering of other oppressed groups, including the Romani people, LGBTQ+ individuals, and political prisoners who were also targeted by Nazi ideology. In doing so, it serves as a universal reminder of the dangers of hatred and the importance of standing against injustice.

The Gus Herrman Holocaust Memorial Garden is more than a work of art—it is a place of reflection, education, and remembrance. Through the masterful use of glass and architectural elements, it ensures that the lessons of the Holocaust remain vivid and relevant for generations to come.