Embedded Files
"The horror of the Holocaust is not that it deviated from human norms; the horror is that it didn't. What happened may happen again, to others not necessarily Jews, perpetrated by others, not necessarily Germans. We are all possible victims, possible perpetrators, possible bystanders."
"The horror of the Holocaust is not that it deviated from human norms; the horror is that it didn't. What happened may happen again, to others not necessarily Jews, perpetrated by others, not necessarily Germans. We are all possible victims, possible perpetrators, possible bystanders."
—Yehuda Bauer
—Yehuda Bauer
Milestone 2 Essential Questions:
Milestone 2 Essential Questions:
What is the relationship between our stories and our identity?
How does a firsthand account change a person's view of a single story or the stereotypes they believe?
To what extent are we all witnesses of history and messengers to humanity?
Milestone 2 Objectives:
Milestone 2 Objectives:
To understand what the Holocaust was and how it happened.
To bear witness to the atrocities committed by the Nazis during the Holocaust, as well as extraordinary acts of resistance and efforts to preserve human dignity on the part of victims and survivors.
To question the role of silence and indifference in the suffering of others.
To remember the lives of those who were lost and those whose lives were forever changed.
Milestone 2 Competencies Assessed:
Milestone 2 Competencies Assessed:
Through the completion of your reading journal and through our class discussions, you will be assessed on the following competencies:
Through the completion of your reading journal and through our class discussions, you will be assessed on the following competencies:
Your Tasks at a glance
Your Tasks at a glance
You will be working throughout Milestone 2 to complete your Reading Journal for Night. Make a copy of the My Reading Journal for Night document and use your same copy to complete all of the Stepping Stones in Milestone 2. Use the Table of Contents in the document to help you find each section of the book.
You will be working throughout Milestone 2 to complete your Reading Journal for Night. Make a copy of the My Reading Journal for Night document and use your same copy to complete all of the Stepping Stones in Milestone 2. Use the Table of Contents in the document to help you find each section of the book.
Stepping stone 1: Introduction to NIght and the holocaust
Stepping stone 1: Introduction to NIght and the holocaust
"Remembrance is the most powerful weapon against genocide."
"Remembrance is the most powerful weapon against genocide."
Remembrance is the most powerful weapon against genocide.pdfWhy does this matter?
Why does this matter?
"Remembrance is the most powerful weapon against genocide." Never Forget...
"Remembrance is the most powerful weapon against genocide." Never Forget...
Although it is difficult for us to read, to watch, and to learn about the terrifying and horrific events that occurred during the Holocaust, it is important that we are aware of how something like this could happen in order to keep it from happening again.
Although it is difficult for us to read, to watch, and to learn about the terrifying and horrific events that occurred during the Holocaust, it is important that we are aware of how something like this could happen in order to keep it from happening again.
We have a responsibility to learn, unlearn, relearn, memorialize, explore the hard truths and to search for the truth to ensure that no one ever forgets.
We have a responsibility to learn, unlearn, relearn, memorialize, explore the hard truths and to search for the truth to ensure that no one ever forgets.
There are also many lessons we can all learn from the Holocaust that apply to what is happening in the world today:
There are also many lessons we can all learn from the Holocaust that apply to what is happening in the world today:
Tolerance. Respect for others. Understanding. Patience. Practicing compassion over judgment.
Tolerance. Respect for others. Understanding. Patience. Practicing compassion over judgment.
What we do or don't do, how we act, what we say- it all matters.
What we do or don't do, how we act, what we say- it all matters.
Stepping stone 1: ACTIVITY 1 survivors of the holocaust
Stepping stone 1: ACTIVITY 1 survivors of the holocaust
Survivors of the Holocaust by Steve Spielberg & Visual History Foundation
Survivors of the Holocaust by Steve Spielberg & Visual History Foundation
We will watch this documentary in 2 parts. Stop this video at the 26:26 mark.
We will watch this documentary in 2 parts. Stop this video at the 26:26 mark.
Listening, Learning, and Remembering: First person accounts of the holocaust
Listening, Learning, and Remembering: First person accounts of the holocaust
This documentary blends personal accounts of what happened before, during and after WWII and the Holocaust.
This documentary blends personal accounts of what happened before, during and after WWII and the Holocaust.
Why do you think these survivors have chosen to tell their stories to the world?
Why do you think these survivors have chosen to tell their stories to the world?
What do they expect you and others to learn from such stories?
What do they expect you and others to learn from such stories?
Stepping stone 1: ACTIVITY 2 timeline of the holocaust
Stepping stone 1: ACTIVITY 2 timeline of the holocaust
Stepping stone 1: ACTIVITY 3 about the author, Preface, and foreward
Stepping stone 1: ACTIVITY 3 about the author, Preface, and foreward
Read the Preface (vii-xv) and the Foreword (xvii-xxi)
Read the Preface (vii-xv) and the Foreword (xvii-xxi)
In the new preface to Night written by Elie Wiesel, he opens by saying, "If in my lifetime I was to write only one book, this would be the one." He then goes on to ponder the question of why he wrote this book.
In the new preface to Night written by Elie Wiesel, he opens by saying, "If in my lifetime I was to write only one book, this would be the one." He then goes on to ponder the question of why he wrote this book.
As you read this preface, think about why Elie Wiesel wrote this book and why it is important for us to read this book.
As you read this preface, think about why Elie Wiesel wrote this book and why it is important for us to read this book.
On the last page of the preface, Elie writes,
On the last page of the preface, Elie writes,
"For the survivor who chooses to testify, it is clear: his duty is to bear witness for the dead and for the living. He has no right to deprive future generations of a past that belongs to our collective memory. To forget would be not only dangerous but offensive; to forget the dead would be akin to killing them a second time."
"For the survivor who chooses to testify, it is clear: his duty is to bear witness for the dead and for the living. He has no right to deprive future generations of a past that belongs to our collective memory. To forget would be not only dangerous but offensive; to forget the dead would be akin to killing them a second time."
"The witness has been forced to testify. For the youth of today, for the children who will be born tomorrow. He does not want his past to become their future."
"The witness has been forced to testify. For the youth of today, for the children who will be born tomorrow. He does not want his past to become their future."
Stepping stone 2: Chapter 1: Defining Identity (pages 3-22)
Stepping stone 2: Chapter 1: Defining Identity (pages 3-22)
One of the essential questions we are exploring is:
One of the essential questions we are exploring is:
What is the relationship between our stories and our identity?
What is the relationship between our stories and our identity?
Our identity is a combination of many factors. It includes both the labels others place on us and the words and phrases we use to describe ourselves. Gender, ethnicity, religion, race, occupation, and physical characteristics are all part of one’s identity.
Our identity is a combination of many factors. It includes both the labels others place on us and the words and phrases we use to describe ourselves. Gender, ethnicity, religion, race, occupation, and physical characteristics are all part of one’s identity.
So are ties to a particular neighborhood, school, or nation. Our values and beliefs are also a part of who we are as individuals, as are the experiences that have shaped our lives. Some of these experiences are personal and private. Others demand to be told, because they make a difference to us all.
So are ties to a particular neighborhood, school, or nation. Our values and beliefs are also a part of who we are as individuals, as are the experiences that have shaped our lives. Some of these experiences are personal and private. Others demand to be told, because they make a difference to us all.
As you read Night, think about the relationship between the story Elie Wiesel is telling and his identity? Think about the stories you tell about yourself and how they relate to your identity.
As you read Night, think about the relationship between the story Elie Wiesel is telling and his identity? Think about the stories you tell about yourself and how they relate to your identity.
Stepping stone 3: Chapters 2-3: Initiation to Auschwitz (pages 23-46)
Stepping stone 3: Chapters 2-3: Initiation to Auschwitz (pages 23-46)
stepping stone 4: Chapter 4: Identity and Indifference (pages 47-65)
stepping stone 4: Chapter 4: Identity and Indifference (pages 47-65)
stepping stone 5: Chapter 5: Faith and Survival at Auschwitz (pages 66-84)
stepping stone 5: Chapter 5: Faith and Survival at Auschwitz (pages 66-84)
stepping stone 6: Chapters 6-9: The Importance of Memory (pages 85-115)
stepping stone 6: Chapters 6-9: The Importance of Memory (pages 85-115)
stepping stone 7: Reflect on our Learning
stepping stone 7: Reflect on our Learning
Stepping stone 7: ACTIVITY 1 eyewitness to Buchenwald
Stepping stone 7: ACTIVITY 1 eyewitness to Buchenwald
Questions for Discussion:
Questions for Discussion:
How do Bass’s experiences at Buchenwald help him understand that “suffering is universal. It is not just relegated to me and mine. It touches us all”?
Why does what happened then matter now?
How did Bass become a witness to history? Why does he feel it is important to speak out about that history?
Whenever Bass speaks, he describes the injustices he experienced during the years of segregation. He also tells about what it was like to be a soldier in a segregated unit. Why must these stories also be told?
After liberation, a number of American soldiers entered Buchenwald and other concentration camps. Many would never forget the things they saw there. Dr . Leon Bass, an African American who served in a segregated unit during World War II, discusses the way Buchenwald changed his view of the world.
Bass never talked about what he witnessed at Buchenwald until 1968. At the time, he was the principal of a high school in Philadelphia. One day he overheard a Holocaust survivor tell her story to students who could not believe her. Bass rushed into the classroom and told the students that the woman was telling the truth—he had seen it for himself at Buchenwald.
That day Bass realized how important it was for him, as well as for the survivors, to tell the story. Since then he has spoken to students all over the country not only about his experiences in Germany but also about the fight for social justice in the United States. As he told one group in Boston, “Someone has to stand up, somebody has to dare to be a Daniel and walk into the den and say, ‘This evil cannot continue.’”
Stepping stone 7: ACTIVITY 2 survivors of the holocaust
Stepping stone 7: ACTIVITY 2 survivors of the holocaust
Survivors of the Holocaust by Steve Spielberg & Visual History Foundation
Survivors of the Holocaust by Steve Spielberg & Visual History Foundation
Complete the documentary starting at the 26:26 mark.
Complete the documentary starting at the 26:26 mark.
Listening, Learning, and Remembering: First person accounts of the holocaust
Listening, Learning, and Remembering: First person accounts of the holocaust
This documentary blends personal accounts of what happened before, during and after WWII and the Holocaust.
This documentary blends personal accounts of what happened before, during and after WWII and the Holocaust.
Why do you think these survivors have chosen to tell their stories to the world?
Why do you think these survivors have chosen to tell their stories to the world?
What do they expect you and others to learn from such stories?
What do they expect you and others to learn from such stories?
Stepping stone 7: ACTIVITY 3 Complete Your reading journal for night
Stepping stone 7: ACTIVITY 3 Complete Your reading journal for night
Stepping stone 7: ACTIVITY 4 Nobel Peace prize acceptance speech
Stepping stone 7: ACTIVITY 4 Nobel Peace prize acceptance speech
The Nobel Peace Prize Acceptance Speech Delivered by Elie Wiesel in Oslo on December 10, 1986.
The Nobel Peace Prize Acceptance Speech Delivered by Elie Wiesel in Oslo on December 10, 1986.
The text version of this speech is on pages 117-120 of Night.
The text version of this speech is on pages 117-120 of Night.
stepping stone 8: the aftermath of world war II and truth and reconciliation
stepping stone 8: the aftermath of world war II and truth and reconciliation
Coming Soon
Coming Soon
Resources for further INVESTIGATION
Resources for further INVESTIGATION
COMING SOON
COMING SOON
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