Heichal Wolyn Memorial Medal

1974

caption:
Obverse: Around the upper rim: “HEICHAL WOLYN ISRAEL 1969”. Upper center: The Heichal structure shaped like a sarcophagus resting on four heavy pillars. The lower half of the medal is predominated with powerful prophetic figure in motion. This stylized figure also symbolizes the eternal wandering Jew, with a strong stern facial expression and his hands in motion, insinuating three basic directions. He is looking to the left, where an inscription “In Memory of Wolyn Jewry” is vanishing to point beyond the medal. His left hand, with a powerful index finger, is outstretched to the right vanishing point. Below, an inscription in English; “REMEMBER”, and Hebrew “זכור“ (Z’CHOR). The message is evident; “To remember and never to forget”. The right hand is pointed to the top – heaven, a plea to G-d. Below: “1939-1944”, refers to the dreadful years of World War II. The initials KW; sculptress Karen Worth.

Reverse: This side is comprised of two parts. An inner circle forms a convex dish, composed of continuous spirallic inscription, incused in the dish. The spiral (which is formed of the names of sixty-four Shtetles), circles around twelve times and ends at the center of the dish. A single raised memorial candle protrudes from the center, and the flame forms the Hebrew word “ווהלין“ (Wolyn). The six flaming tongues also symbolizes the Six Million Martyrs. The upper moon-shaped field of the medal has three raised statistical inscriptions in Hebrew and English. They are “1,000,000 MARTYRS OBM/1,000 YEAR HISTORY/100 COMMUNITIES”. Lower rim is inscribed “1974 N. SOBEL”, the designer, and to the lower right “J.D.L.” – (Joe Di Lorenzo), sculptor.


This medal is full of symbols and hidden meanings, numerology and insinuations, motions and Kabalistic interpretations. It tends to leave many unanswered questions, and food for through. The spiral continues nonetheless, beyond the medal, since there are so many more names… The vanishing points and directions to G-d too, extend indefinitely beyond the medal, which accidentally is limited to a small circle.
The names were intentionally scrambled in non-alphabetical order, so that the viewer, while looking for his town, would have to read and remember other names as well. Turning the medal to read the spiral, one’s head will advertently start to turn, interjecting a dizzy (vortex) mood. This was done intentionally; as this is not a medal of a happy event, but marks a somber, very sad, and dark period in Man’s history.
 
It is interesting to note that both the sculptress and the designer are descendants from Wolyn.