Elie Wiesel Carving

Cathedral Adds Stone Carving of Elie Wiesel to Human Rights Porch

During one of the darkest chapters of human history, Elie Wiesel shined the light of the human spirit that illuminated the world. After escaping the horrors of the Holocaust that claimed 6 million Jewish souls, he dedicated his life to constant vigilance on behalf of human dignity.

The addition of Elie Wiesel to the Cathedral is a permanent reminder that each of us are called to vigilance and steadfastness on behalf of others. In keeping watch over the Cathedral, his likeness will serve as a testimony to his indomitable spirit in the face of ugly hatred. His memory is a blessing, and we pray that this carving will inspire generations to come.

The carving was sculpted by Chas Fagan and carved by Sean Callahan, the same team responsible for the other figures in the Human Rights Porch.

Wiesel joins the likenesses in the Cathedral’s Human Rights Porch, which is dedicated to individuals who have taken significant, profound and life-changing actions in the fight for human rights, social justice, civil rights, and the welfare of other human beings.

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Elie Wiesel at the Cathedral

Cathedral Dean Randy Hollerith and Sara J. Bloomfield, director of the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum, explore the legacy of Nobel laureate Elie Wiesel and why he was added to Washington National Cathedral.

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Elie Wiesel Carving Dedication

Tuesday, Oct. 12 | 3:30 p.m.

Framed by Jewish prayers and music, we bless this carving as a permanent reminder to guard against oppression and indifference for all of God’s children.

Download the dedication leaflet

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Public Forum: Honoring Elie Wiesel

Tuesday, Oct. 12 | 7 p.m.

Together with the US Holocaust Memorial Museum and members of the Wiesel family, we celebrate Elie Wiesel’s legacy as a Holocaust survivor, teacher and international voice of conscience.

Download the program leaflet

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Online Public Workshop

Antisemitism, Christianity and the Holocaust: Reckoning with the Past and Working in the Present
Thursday, Oct. 14 • 2 pm ET

The National Cathedral and the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum host this webinar exploring the long entangled history of antisemitism and Christianity.

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Rabbi 'Yitz' Greenberg on Elie Wiesel

Rabbi Irving “Yitz” Greenberg, a close friend and colleague of Elie Wiesel, is an influential theologian and an activist who has been a thinker on the Holocaust as a turning point in Jewish and Western culture. He served as Chairman of the United States Holocaust Memorial Council from 2000–2002.

Rabbi Greenberg offered to share his thoughts by video, and we are honored to share them with you here.

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Elie Wiesel Carving Process

The carving was sculpted by Chas Fagan and carved by Sean Callahan, the same team responsible for the other figures in the Human Rights Porch. Photos by Danielle Thomas

Elie Wiesel Carving Process

The carving was sculpted by Chas Fagan and carved by Sean Callahan, the same team responsible for the other figures in the Human Rights Porch. Photos by Danielle Thomas