The fifth Holocaust Dialogue Interactive Group session: lessons to be learned

This article describes the fifth Holocaust Dialogue Group meeting between descendants of both victims and perpetrators. This process began in 1994 and has continued into 1999. It is held in conjunction with the annual International Association of Family Therapy Conference. Those in attendance report that this process has facilitated their catharsis regarding long-repressed issues and feelings of shame and guilt, enabled them to ask probing questions of relatives, and contributed to a profoundly desired healing. Repetitive themes that have emerged in the sessions are highlighted.