Professor Marshall Breger published an op-ed column titled “Beyond ‘Never Again’” in the March issue of Moment magazine, the leading independent Jewish bi-monthly. “Never again” is the term often used to respond to the horror of the holocaust.

The column considered issues of memory, transparency, revenge, and justice after the holocaust and the lessons it may have for both the Ukrainian and the international community reckoning with Russian war crimes in the ongoing Russia invasion of Ukraine.

Breger considers the various purposes of collective memory—securing, justice, providing historical narrative, and ensuring deterrence of future crimes. In that vein, he explains the meaning of the iconic phrase “never again.” He also considers how the cult of memory can make future reconciliation near impossible. He considers situations in which individuals, as well as entire communities might well need to explore “forgetting” as a coping mechanism.

Breger has taught courses in Public International Law and Arbitration and Mediation at the Columbus School of Law.

Click here to view the op-ed.