Rescuers

Schindler’s List

 What makes a person “heroic?” 

A "heroic" person does a selfless act . Not because it benefits the individual or that they had to do it but because they cared enough and chose to. A "heroic" person also might risk their lives by doing good deeds. By doing good deeds, like helping an elderly walk across a street, you can still be a hero for helping them out. 


Does a hero possess certain qualities? 


I would say a hero doesn't possess certain qualities because a strength, powers, costumes,etc but they need the willingness to help others in need. Not all heroes have powers, strength, speed, agility, costumes,etc. For example my mom was my hero. She helped me by making me escape from wild dogs and she didn't use strength, agility, costumes,etc. 


Or is a hero defined by his or her actions? 


A hero is defined by his or her actions because if you do something that saved their lives or helped them, they will think of you as their "savior" , but if you do something evil to them, they will think that you are a bad person like a villain. 


Was Schindler a hero?


I would think Schindler is considered to be a hero because he saved the Jewish people by stopping a train and put them into a safe camp. Schindler is a hero to the Jewish people because by making camps for them, they can be safe from the Nazis. Schindler also used a lot of money to help the Jewish people which is what a hero would do. "This time Schlinder was not concerned with making a profit. Indeed he now spent enormous sums of money to keep his workers safe. He began by turning his factory into an official subcamp of a newly constructed labor camp at Plazow." So this is why Schindler is considered to be a hero.

A Poem by Sonia Weitz

Which Sonia Weitz poem did you choose?


The poem that I chose written by Sonia Weitz is "Victory". 


 How can you make a personal connection to the poem?


The main personal connection that I can make to the poem is that I also spent a happy moment with my dad like Sonia Weitz and how she danced with her father in Aushwitz, the concentration camp. Last year ago, I was happy spending time with my father playing tennis. It was fun playing against a hard opponent as he would make me run around the court by using his precise accuracy to hit from left to right, up to down,etc. By playing tennis with my dad, I can have a better relationship and a bond with my dad just like Sonia Weitz. So this is my connection which relates to Sonia Weitz's happy moment.


How did it make you feel?


The poem made me feel very awkward and strange Sonia Weitz said that she couldn't see the ugly barracks, and there was no hunger and no fear. "The ugly barracks disappeared. There was no hunger...and no fear." Sadness also was a feeling because in the poem, she said that she was condemned to die and that her father might possibly die. " Little one, let us dance, We may not have another chance... And me, a child... condemned to die." I also felt happy and joyful that Sonia Weitz could have a good time with her father before anything bad happens later and I also could tell how happy Sonia Weitz was because she couldn't see the barracks, and that she wasn't hungry and scared. 


The annotations on the "Victory" poem by Sonia Weitz included some questions, messages, symbolism,etc. In the beginning, I had a question which was "Why did Sonia Weitz call this poem the Victory?". My group members provided me the answer which was that maybe Sonia Weitz called the moment of happiness the "victory" so I was able to understand it clearly. Towards the middle section, I had questions like "Why does she say My lovely father (once big and strong)?" I asked this question to my group members but didn't get a lot of help on it. There was some messages in the poem which were shown towards the end of the poem. "There are no tools to measure love and only fools would fail to scale your victory." I think this is some kind of message but I can't seem to get the message... There weren't any figurative language like similes. I like how Sonia Weitz used a creative way to attract peoples attention at the end of the poem which shape like tiny little feathers falling. So I think that "Victory" is a good poem to read.

Germany 1918-1933

What conditions were present that allowed Adolf Hitler and the Nazi party to take control of Germany in 1933? 


The economic situation, the death of president of the Weimar Republic, the treaty of Versailles, etc were some of the conditions which allowed Adolf Hitler and the Nazi party to take control of Germany in 1933. The economic situation was a great opportunity for Adolf Hitler to gain control because since the people were frustrated, Adolf Hitler said to everyone that he would make things better for everyone so most of the people trusted him. To Hitler, this depression was like a gift because for every problem the Nazi Party had come up with an explanation or promise. Hitler came to power as chancellor and after the death of Hindenburg he managed to bribe other parties or terrorizing them. This enabling act made him legal dictator of Germany for the next 4 years.  The First World War and the Treaty of Versailles depressed the citizens of Germany because it symbolized the humiliation and the defeat. Since Hitler's viciousness and development appealed, so the people gave him support. Hitler promised to get rid of the Treaty. The Treaty of Versailles made a contract for Germany which made living in Germany very hard. The people of Germany were poor and where upset with the Treaty. They wanted someone to help them out of the hole they were in. .Hitler offered them everything the people wanted. Later the people of Germany where brain washed with posters, radio, newspapers and leaflets. Due to Hitler's speeches which were strong and effective, the Germans liked the idea of having one strong leader. So overall Hitler come to power in many ways.  

Restrictive Laws in Nazi Germany

1.  Who could now be defined as a "Jew"?


People who had three or four Jewish grandparents were defined as a Jew regardless of whether that person recognized himself or herself as a Jew or is part of the Jewish religious community. Even people with Jewish grandparents who had changed religions to Christianity were defined as Jews.


2.  What was meant by "Aryanizing" Jewish Businesses?


 "Aryanizing" Jewish Businesses meant Jewish laborers and managers were set free and the possession of the property of most Jewish businesses was taken over by non-Jewish Germans who bought them at bargain prices fixed by Nazis. 


3.  How were Jews who were professionals (lawyers, doctors etc.) restricted?


Jews who were professionals like lawyers, doctors,etc were restricted for example, Jewish doctors were forbidden to treat non-Jews, and Jewish lawyers were not authorized to practice law.


4.  What did Jewish identity cards need to include now?


Jews identity cards needed to include special identifying marks to theirs: a red "J" stamped on them and new middle names for all the Jews who did not control recognizably "Jewish" first names -- "Israel" for males, "Sara" for females.This kind of system allowed the police to identify Jews easily.


5.  What was the "Law for the Protection of the Hereditary Health of the German People" (sum up in your own words)?


The "Law for the Protection of the Hereditary Health of the German People" needs all destined marriage partners to accomplish from the public health power a certificate of fitness to marry. These certificates are unacceptable to those suffering from "hereditary illnesses" and other deadly diseases and those attempting to marry in misbehavior of the Nuremberg Laws.

Hitler Takes Control...

1.  What are Civil Rights?  What are some that we have?


A civil right is an required right or privilege.  Examples of civil rights are freedom of speech, press, and assembly; the right to vote; freedom from involuntary servitude; the right to equality in public places,etc. Some civil rights that we have are Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA), the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), and the Civil Rights Act of 1964.


2. Why might some of Hitler's measures in abolishing personal freedoms and Civil Rights be seen by some as as a positive, or necessary move?

Hitler's measures in destroying freedom and the Civil Rights can be seen by such a necessary and positive thing to do. The reason why I said it is because there might be some bad people in Germany and maybe the good people were anticipating if Hitler takes all their rights and personal freedoms away, it might put an end to the bad people from doing bad things and would be under control. The Nazi did good things that were helpful to people such as providing financial and social aid to people. Also the Nazi Party were good environmentalists which yes, was good for everybody.But in general, the Nazi party promised to help people who were in need of help and maybe fund a bit for the people who were struggling in Germany. This is why I think Hitler abolishing personal freedoms and the civil rights made people think it was necessary and a positive thing.