Heichal Wolyn Memorial Medal
1974
caption:
The back / reverse is comprised of two parts. An inner circle forms a convex dish, composed of a continuous spirallic inscription, incused in the dish. The spiral (which is formed of the names of some 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 “ן׳להװ” (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.
Identifer: CJF-RFC2013143
Medium
Bronze;Silver
Topics
Destroyed Communities
Collection
Holocaust Medals, Plaques, Tokens & Pins
Description
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 thought. 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 a non-alphabetical order, so that the viewed, 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 designer are descendents from Wolyn.
This medal is listed in Hafner, Sylvia, (1978) Judaic Tokens and Medals, American Israel Numismatic Association, Inc., See medal HO – 7, pages 83 & 86.
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