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Holocaust but one part of a storyline that encompasses the beginnings 
of Jewish history up through the postwar period up tp present times 
seems to provide an alternative (even though by now too many of the 
donors have contributed to existing institutions). It is still questionable 
whether the history of the controversial responses to the Holocaust 
will also be included, from Hannah Arendt’s writings to Art 
Spiegelman's comic strips. 
A museum that would acknowledge the ruptures and creases, that 
would avoid the narrativization and especially the irresponsible 
exploitation of remnants by turning them into relics (while disman- 
tling the actual places) has yet to be developed. Strategies are already 
being worked out: Under the premise of "interactivity" a committee in 
Frankfurt is working on an exhibit that would introduce the 
‘choiceless choices" of the victims as the most advanced episte- 
mological vantage point from which to look at the Holocaust. This 
approach combines the acknowledgement of both uniqueness and 
universality: The particular perspective of the most radically perse- 
cuted victims gives the most encompassing view of a society turned 
into a killing machine. 
This technique would offer a more cognitive approach rather than 
a solely emotional one that most often falls prey to the need for 
consolation. Whatever ritualistic or religious needs there are -- obvi- 
ously legitimate -- should probably not be addressed to a public in- 
stitution that wishes to educate.