The David Berger National Memorial
  
  entering a future without violence
                                                                                              
the David Berger National Memorial             the David Berger National Memorial      the David Berger National Memorial
 

 
  The David Berger National Memorial is situated at the Mandel Jewish Community Center, in Beachwood, Ohio.
 
  The 13-foot steel sculpture represents the official Olympic rings broken by the Munich tragedy. The memorial depicts the five Olympic rings broken in half, symbolizing
  the interruption of the Munich games, and the 11 segments on which the rings rest represent each athlete whose life was taken. One of the segments is slightly
  different from the rest to symbolize the unique life experiences which led David to the Israeli Olympic Team. But the upward motion in the broken rings suggests the
  Olympics' peaceful meaning, a quest for understanding, and hope for the future. Former Ohio senator Howard Metzenbaum helped David's memorial to become a
  National Historical Landmark, recognized by the Department of the Interior. Congress authorized the memorial on March 5, 1980 (Public Law 96-199).
 
  Dr. Benjamin Berger drives by the sculpture dedicated to his son almost every day. "I just like to see it,” he says. Dr. Berger sees the sculpture as a reminder, not just
  of David, but of the importance of the Olympics in promoting the spirit of peace throughout the world.  

  Despite the continued threat of terrorism and violence, Dr. Berger's beliefs have not changed. His son's sculpture should be viewed as "an entrance into the future,”
  he said.  


  David’s niece said the sculpture created in his name represents "hope that the world will overcome violence.”

 

  The monument's idyllic setting will further promote that sense of tranquility, notes Berger. "There's no other place we would want it to be.” Mrs. Berger is pleased
  with the sculpture's location. "There's so much activity there” at the Jewish Community Center, she remarks. "As tragic as [the Munich attack] was, the Olympians
  will be remembered.”

 

  The David Berger National Memorial is the only memorial in the United States commemorating the 1972 Olympic tragedy.

  The government of Haiti, where Dr. Berger had once practiced on a humanitarian mission, issued a David Berger postage stamp after the 1972 Olympics.

 

  Each year, the Israeli Olympic Committee holds a ceremony at a sports event to perpetuate the athletes' memory.

   

The David Berger National Memorial