By Yifat Bachrach-Ron

Ishai Amrami, Director-General of Yad Vashem for the past 12 years, was born in Kibbutz Ein Hahoresh in 1936, some five years after his parents Ze’ev and Leah made aliya from Poland. Growing up on a kibbutz with many Holocaust survivors had a profound impact on Amrami, particularly during his role as assistant to Abba Kovner, the kibbutz’s senior secretary.

Colonel Amrami left the army after completing his service as Deputy Chief Education Officer. In 1981, he became Director-General of the Jerusalem Theatre, and from 1984 served as Director of the Israel Festival. He was appointed Director-General of Yad Vashem in 1993. In this capacity, he was responsible for all the ongoing activities of the organization, and simultaneously supervised and coordinated the building and production of the new Holocaust History Museum.

In advance of his retirement, Amrami made time for an interview. It is hard to summarize in a short interview 12 years of intensive work by someone whose office light was still burning after everyone had gone home at night:

What is special about the role of Director-General of Yad Vashem?
One aspect I always find difficult to explain when I meet people is the unique nature of Yad Vashem. There are many museums in the world, as well as research institutes and memorials, but there is no other institution which combines so many areas devoted to preserving memory—a museum, a research institute, a publishing company, an archive, a memorial and an educational center—and which also holds memorial ceremonies throughout the year. This is what makes the position of Director-General so special: the involvement in so many different spheres.

What, then, are the skills required by the Director-General?
The Director-General of Yad Vashem—and here I quote Moshe Dayan—must “understand the experts.” He must be able to understand the various professionals, providing support in difficult stages of their work and guiding them in their ongoing activities, according to the organization’s goals. He must also be compassionate, not just an administrator.

Looking back, are there things you would have done differently?
One thing I regret is that, during the implementation of the Multiyear Development plan, the staff and management—the main asset of the organization—did not receive the attention it got during its regular work periods. However, if Yad Vashem had not fulfilled this plan, the organization would have become irrelevant, losing its ability to head Holocaust commemoration and education in Israel and abroad.

What challenges will your replacement have to deal with?
In the short-term, my replacement will have to stabilize the system. After 12 years of intensive and inconceivable amounts of work, we will need to return the organization to a normal work pattern. Long-term, the challenge will be to maintain the budgetary balance, while continuing to develop the groundwork already laid.

What advice can you give your replacement?
First, learn the subject and the system, and then only afterwards decide on ways to develop the organization. Second, get to know your workers personally, and decide how you want to work with them. And always view the position primarily as a mission, not just a job.

What goals should Yad Vashem set for itself?
Yad Vashem should reach out to many more people besides the visitors to the Mount of Remembrance. The main tool by which we can achieve this goal is the Internet. Last year, we took the first major step in making our materials available to the public by placing the Central Database of Shoah Victims’ Names on our website. This trend must continue. Another important goal is to transfer our vast knowledge and experience in Holocaust education to as many teachers as possible around the world.

What was the most moving moment you experienced in your work at Yad Vashem?
Every year, I am deeply affected when I am introduced to the six torchlighters for the official Holocaust Remembrance Day ceremony. It is a stirring experience to meet them and their families during the rehearsals.

Did you have a personally poignant moment?
I learned about the Pages of Testimony project only when I came to Yad Vashem. My parents never spoke about heir family members who died in the Holocaust. When Yad Vashem computerized the Pages of Testimony, I found the one my father submitted in 1956, which I never knew about. I was very touched to see his handwriting. He never told me about his family, but he completed Pages in their memory.

What do you plan to do after you leave Yad Vashem?
I feel that I am still at the peak of my abilities, but I do not plan to take another job that requires 13-hour workdays, six days a week. I am interested in finding new work in areas that interest me, on a voluntary basis for communal benefit. In addition, I have agreed to [Chairman of the Directorate] Avner [Shalev]’s request to escort the last stages of the development plan—the renovation of Warsaw Ghetto Square and its attachment to the new Museum Complex—giving Yad Vashem all the help it needs.

Will you go back to playing the violin?
In my youth, I did play the violin for 10 years, but I don’t think I will go back to it. However, I will make time to enjoy culture, something I neglected over the last 12 years due to my busy schedule. I love to travel, and now I will have time to do so with my wife, Zohara. We will be able to visit our favorite parts of Israel and the world. I am also looking forward to being a full-time grandfather to my nine grandchildren.

Yad Vashem’s new Director-General: Nathan Eitan

Nathan Eitan (51), a resident of Jerusalem, is Yad Vashem’s new Director-General. Eitan served for the past seven years as Director-General of “Omanut Le’am” (Arts for the People). Before that, he was a career officer, fulfilling various roles in the Intelligence and Education Corps. His final position in the army was Head of the Education Department and Deputy Chief Education Officer. Eitan has a Bachelor’s Degree in Sociology and Psychology, and a Master’s Degree in Criminology from the Law Faculty at the Hebrew University in Jerusalem.

“With my appointment to the position,” says Eitan, “I feel a great obligation and responsibility alongside the challenge of helping to bring the organization into a new age, and adjusting it to the needs derived from the completion of the Development Plan.”

Current Director-General Ishai Amrami (69) will retire his position, on his request, at the end of November. Eitan has already begun the process of acclimatization for his new role.

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