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Forest of the Martyrs

Introduction

The Forest of the Martyrs (Hebrew: יער הקדושים, Ya'ar HaKdoshim) is a forest on
the outskirts of Jerusalem, Israel.

 

It was planted as a memorial to those who died in the Holocaust and will eventually
contain six million trees, symbolizing the six million Jews who perished at the hands
of the Nazis in World War II.

 

The main memorial sites in the forest are:

• A monumental sculpture by Nathan Rappaport,
  entitled Scroll of Fire (Hebrew: מגילת האש, Megilat HaEsh)
• The Martyrs' Cave (also known as the Bnei Brith Cave)
• Anne Frank Memorial (adjacent to the Martyrs' Cave)

Memorial monuments in memory of individual Shtetls (Jewish communities)
are scattered across the forest.

 

Additional information on JNF site:

 

In Hebrew: http://www.kkl.org.il/forestsearch/Kdoshim_Forest.aspx

 

In English: http://www.kkl.org.il/eng/tourism-and-recreation/forests-and-parks/martyrs-forest.aspx

 

Mazheik Memorial Monuments

The original monument was erected in the 1950's – 1960's by the Association of Former Citizens of Mazheik in Israel.

Below are pictures (click to enlarge) taken at memorial ceremonies, as well as maps of the location.

 

Original Monument

	At the Mazheik Memorial Monument. Inscription on the plaque: Grove in memory of the martyrs of Mazeikiai Community, Lithuania Av 5701 (August 1941)
Memorial ceremony Mazheik Memorial Monument 'Ya'ar HaKdoshim' (Forest of Martyrs) 1960's
	General Map Forest of Martyrs (in Hebrew)
Access map to the Mazheik Memorial Monument (in Hebrew) Note: The webmasters tried to locate the Mazheik Memorial Monument – in vain. Together with the JNF we came to the conclusion that this monument may not have survived. They have provided information about a replacement monument (see below).

 

Replacement Monument

	At the Mazheik Memorial Monument. Inscription on the plaque: JNF Grove in memory of the martyrs of Mazeikiai Community, Lithuania 15 Av 5701 (August 1941)   Note: The murder date is incorrect. See http://kehilalinks.jewishgen.org/Mazeikiai/Holocust/AriSadaTranslation.htm#Yizkor
Access map to the replacement Mazheik Memorial Monument

 

New Memorial Plaque

Over the years the JNF came to the conclusion that it is hard to maintain the many memorial monuments scattered across the forest. Sometimes it is also difficult to locate and access memorial monuments distributed in the depth of the forest due to the topography. Instead, the JNF decided to erect concentrated memorial boards in one central place, near the Martyrs' Cave, which has good accessibility and allows for improved maintenance. After consulting with the JNF, we ordered a new memorial plaque for the Martyrs of Mazheik. The memorial plaque was erected in November 2011. A group of descendents visited the site in June 2012, paying respect to the Martyrs of Mazheik.
	Mazheik Memorial plaque near the Martyrs' Cave Inscription on the plaque: Grove in memory of the martyrs of Mazeikiai Community
Close view of the board with Mazheik Memorial plaque (at bottom left side)
	General view of the memorial site near the Martyrs' Cave

 

How to get to Martyrs Forest:

Drive on Highway no. 1 from Tel-Aviv or Jerusalem. At Shaar-ha'Guy Interchange exit onto Road no. 38 southwards towards Beit-Shemesh. Continue on Road no. 38 until Eshtaol interchange, then exit right onto Road 44 to Ramla and -Road no. 395 to Tzoba. Take first exit at the first circle, then exit to the left at the second circle and finally exit right at the third circle onto Road 395. A short distance afterwards turn left and drive carefully on the narrow paved road, leading through KKL recreation areas to the Bnai Brith gate leading to the Martyrs' Cave (Bnai Brith Cave) and the memorial panels next to it.