Today was by far the most difficult, but the most historically important, day of Plus3 trip to Germany. We were given a tour of the Dachau concentration camp, utilized by the German Nazi Party from 1933 to 1945 for disturbing purposes. Our tour guide gave a very thorough history of the camp, explaining that it was the first camp to be built and served as the “template” for the other camps constructed across German-occupied territory during World War II. The guide mentioned that Dachau was among of the “best” camps – he used this term very loosely. This fact does not deny that the camp sustained mass violations of human rights for those who were taken here.

The tour was a brutally sobering experience. Reading and hearing stories of these camps is one thing, but to see it in person is immensely powerful. To see the grounds where hundreds of thousands had their humanity stripped is a painful reminder of this period of German history, to the locals and to the world.

At the end of the tour, our guide explained why Dachau, and many other concentration camps, remain standing. Without them, future generations may forget the atrocities that occurred within their walls. He spoke to us, saying, “Your generation has the power to ensure these events do not repeat themselves in the future. It depends on all of you.” This message is very powerful; we have the will to prevent history from repeating itself. We shall strive to uphold this duty.

A monument, the Tomb of the Unknown Prisoner, was erected near the camp’s administration building in the decades following the American liberation of Dachau. A message, shown in Hebrew, French, English, German, and Russian, serves as another reminder of Dachau’s significance. “Never Again.”