Klein Foundation

I had told you that I would put a link to their foundation on this site. Here is the link to the Klein Foundation.

Clean Slate

The first nine weeks is now behind us. All grades are starting over, completely fresh and new. Everyone has a clean slate, if you will. Now is the time to decide to change the habits from last grading period, if you weren't happy with your grades. Now is the time to reinforce the good habits and attitudes from last grading period, if you are pleased with the results. But whatever you choose to do for the next nine weeks, there are still nine more weeks of school. Nine more weeks of assignments, tests, projects, and grades... I don't know about you, but I am happy to have nine weeks left with you guys. We have lots of information left to cover, great books to read, powerful films to watch, and thought-provoking discussion to have. Thanks for making my job fun, if not always easy! You might have heard it said, "Choose a job you love and you'll never have to work a day in your life." I can testify to that statement and I can say to you that it is the best advice I could give as far as your future and your career.

20 lbs...

Gerda Weissman Klein and her family members were told that they could carry 20 lbs worth of items when they were deported. Look around your room, your house, your car, your school... can you imagine if your entire life, your history, your life story had to be collected into a 20 lb package? What impact must this have had on Gerda and her family? What impact would it have on you? Is there a societal difference between the world she was living in prior to the Holocaust and our materialistic country?

Response to All But My Life

Please respond to one (or both, if you are an overachiever) of the two questions below in response to the novel. Feel free as well to make other comments related to the novel.
1. It has often been said that major historical events provide an opportunity to see humanity's darkest side, as well as humanity's best side. What examples from the novel illustrate both points? Can you think of historical events from your lifetime that can be explained from each perspective? Give some examples.
2. There were so many instances in the text when someone did something that seemed insignificant for Gerda, yet it affected her strongly. Name some of those things and discuss how they had such an impact on her. Are there things that happen in your own life that might seem insignificant to others, yet are very encouraging to you?

Week of March 30

Well, I know that we are probably all missing the sleeping in and sunshine rain and time to do as we wish, but the facts are that we have to come back! :) So, we might as well make the most of it, right???

You guys are watching what is quite possibly my very favorite movie this week. It is a true story and is totally amazing. I can't wait for you all to see it. (And I enjoyed our relief day last week, too!)

Monday, March 30
All But My Life seminar

Tuesday, March 31
Watch ABML
Book Circles activity
DUE: Ecphrastic poems

Wednesday, April 1
Watch "Europa! Europa!"

Thursday, April 2
Finish "Europa! Europa!"

Friday, April 3
"Living On"

Important Sidenote Regarding Commenting

Just a side note, the commenting seems to be about the poems. The poems are there merely as a showcase. Please feel free to comment on them. However, your grade comes from commenting on the other postings. You may have to hit the button to go to older posts to see them. Thanks!

And one last personal plea: Would one person PLEASE PLEASE comment on my passage from my book? Someone? Anyone? I was so excited about hearing what you had to say about it and discussing it with you. I beg of you-- comment on mine. Just one person is all I ask...

Week of March 16

Spring Break is upon us!

Monday, March 16
T-4 Euthanasia program
Mobile Killing Squads

Tuesday, March 17
Camps Echoes and Reflections

Wednesday, March 18- Dachau documentary, Camps lecture

Thursday, March 19
Relief day

Read All But My Life over break. We will seminar over it on Monday, March 30. PLEASE read this text carefully. There is so much to talk about and it's such an excellent work. Do not slough this off. This is the story of someone's life. Treat it as such.

Ecphrastic Poems

These are some of the ecphrastic poems this class in response to the photograph of the little Polish boy. I have read them, listened to you read them, then read them again and I am in awe of how amazing this writing was. You guys did an incredible job. Thank you.

"To the World Who Turned Its Back" by Kassie
I walk away with this child at my side.
You walk away with violence at your back.
I walk away with all my personal belonging in this small bag.
You go home at night with all your luxuries at hand.
I sleep in a small room with two other families on the cold floor.
You crawl into your lush pajamas, and into your warm bed.
You may have a limited supply of food due to rations,
But we are so limited we don't have enough to eat every day.
I now walk away at gun-point,
and you walk away blind-minded.
If you had to live one day in any of our shoes,
then maybe you would have taken a stand for humanity.
One day in our shoes and you could really see what happened when your back was turned.

"No Mercy- to the Nazi Soldier" by Nick
Nazi soldier, how do you live with yourself?
Do the screams of those you have slain not haunt you?
Now you point your gun at a little boy
The poor little Polish boy never stood a chance.
How do you live with yourself?
Do the screams of the innocent not haunt you, soulless, heartless soldier?
One day you will receive their same fate.
Once your day comes I will laugh at your downfall.
I will laugh at your misery.
You ask me to show mercy.
I will not.
You never showed anyone else mercy.
As the darkness surrounds, you will say, "Help me please"
I will laugh at your misfortune.
You will never receive my mercy.
I will watch as your soul burns in the fiery pits of the underworld.
I will watch as you receive the punishment you deserve.

"Watching" by Adam
Everything happens for a reason.
There is no chance, only truth.
Herded together, trapped, demoralized, headed for death.
Yet they stay loyal. They are chosen.
They pray, yet I do not answer their prayers.
Everything happens for a reason, and nothing by chance.
Arms stretched toward me, yet this time it is not in worship, but fear.
Fear that a mother may be stripped of her child.
Fear that their belongings may be torn away.
Fear that their very life may be taken away and put into another human being's hand.
He, being the same as you, in every aspect besides the way in which he worships me.
But everything happens for a reason.
So I let it continue, watching quietly from the clouds.
A million unanswered prayers in a box beside me.
Prayers full of suffering and pain.
But everything happens for a reason...
Right?

"The Little Boy" by Kate
Fear:
You start by taking Grandma
Next you take my sister
Now my whole family is gone
I am alone.
Hunger:
From dawn to dusk I work in the dusty streets
Your yells mingle with the voice of sleep
Calling to me and pulling me under
Spoiled bread crust now tastes like heaven
I got caught stealing my friend's portion
All I can think about is food.
Power:
Now you point a gun at me
I have done nothing
My home, my family, my dignity, and my dreams gone.
And how you ask of me the one thing I have left
My life.

"To the Little Polish Boy with His hands Held Up" by Corey
To the little boy with his hands held up
I am sorry for the pain you had to bear.
I am sorry that my fathers before me did not
hear your cries of help when you so desperately needed it.
I am sorry that you were stripped of your youth
and never had a chance to reclaim it.
I am sorry for the hole you were subject to by the cruel world
you were raised in.
I am sorry that you were held accountable for decisions that were not yours to make.
I am sorry that you were categorized as a person not deserving of life.
I am sorry for the inevitable fate you had to face.

"Little Boy, Don't Cry" by Elizabeth
-Look at him, scared to death
Little boy, don't cry
-We're about the same, could I be next?
Please little boy, don't cry
-How could they do such horrid things?
Little boy, don't you let them see tears
-We'll be ok, maybe not now but soon
Little boy, keep that head up
-They'll put their guns down, they won't kill us kids
Come on little boy, don't cry

"Final Words" by Trevor
Don't take me before you think
Think of my parents, brother, and friends.
Think if someone did this to your own family.
Think of my future
I know killing's your job, but does that make it right?
Think of my blood on your hands
Think of my tears when you sleep at night.
Think of my final words before you sent me to the gas chambers.
Is saving your own life so important, that you will kill thousands of others?
Think of explaining to your kids what their daddy did at work today
Think of holding your baby with the same mouth that shouted death orders.
If you still want to kill me, then that's fine.
All I wanted you to do is think.

"Look at Me, Mr. Soldier" by Hannah
Look at me, Mr. Soldier
With your calm shiny face with your little mustache
Who am I? Do you know me?
Am I what you are fighting deep inside?
Look at me, Mr. Soldier
What do you see?
The little boy with the deep fear in the pit of my soul
OR the man I could become?
Do you see my mother desperately trying to save me
Or the father of my own children I could become?
Look at me, Mr. Soldier
With your laxed trigger finger dolting my fate
Standing there so strong, so powerful, so calm.
As I stand here with the blood pumping through
My tiny body for maybe just a second longer
Look at me, Mr. Soldier.

"To the Heartless" by Sarah
What makes you a man?
Holding a gun to a child's head
Terrorizing those defenseless
Who makes you a man?
The women who cower in fear
As you traipse through the streets
As if you have power over their lives
You wear a symbol on your arm,
Follow your orders as well we any trained dog.
Does this make you a man?
No.
This makes you
a coward.
This makes you as defeated as those
starving, tortured souls you claim
authority over.
This makes you a monster.
Continue to kill, continue to make those people bleed
On the outside.
As you will surely die, and bleed, soul-less on the inside.

"Instrument of Death" by Sierra White
Sadism consumes the core of my heart
Malevolence dictates my being;
Indulgent upon bloodlust and power
I stare at the vermin, seething.

Pathetic! So weak, so pitiful and questioning;
What did they do to me?
Asking why, "Why so heartless, sir?"
I chuckle silently through this nonchalant facade
"Sonny, what you did was breathe."

I am not sorry,
I do not hate it,
For I am a monster
And I embrace it.

This is a gore-flecked realm
in which the reaper thrives,
And in thrall to shadows
I became the destroyer of lives.

"To the Photographer" by Paulina
Keep standing behind your camera
Watching as they march to their death
But does it matter if they live or die
Because they are just rats and vermin
You capture the moment to show your glory
But I can only see your malice
You captured this moment to show your pride.
But I can only see your hate
Keep clicking your camera
As they keep walking to their death
But does it matter if they live or die
Because they are only human
They are only women and girls
Boys and men
What does it matter
You capture this moment to show your dominance
But I can only see that their memory lives on
You capture this moment to show your triumph
But I can only see your failure
You planned to wipe them out
But you failed
Because I will remember them
So they won't be forgotten
So in a way
A very small way
I'm glad you captured this moment
So I can remember your malice, hate, and your failure
I'm glad you took the picture so l can remember this little boy
His family
His friends
His innocence and youth
Keep clicking behind your camera
Watching them as they walk to their death
But what does it matter if they live or die
Because I will remember whether they lived or died.

Response to a Quote...

I am reading a book right now called Reading Lolita in Tehran. It is a very interesting book that is a memoir about a teacher in Iran who gathered seven of her students in her home for a book club group to study forbidden Western classics. It is fascinating. However, I can't help but notice a few similarities between the situation in the book (limited freedoms imposed by the government) and situations in Nazi Germany in the late 1930's. There is one passage in particular that I would like to see if you have a comment on. The passage is copied below, with credit to the author, Azar Nafisi:

"I had asked my students if they remember the dance scene in Invitation to a Beheading: the jailor invites Cincinnatus to a dance. They begin a waltz and move out into the hall. In a corner they run into a guard: 'They described a circle near him and glided back into the cell, and now Cincinnatus regretted that the swoon's friendly embrace had been so brief.' This movement in circles is the main movement of the novel. As long as he accept the sham world the jailers impose upon him, Cincinnatus will remain their prisoner and will move within the circles of their creation. The worst crime committed by totalitarian mindsets is that they force their citizens, including their victims, to become complicit in their crimes. Dancing with your jailor, participating in your own execution, that is an act of utmost brutality. My students witnessed it in show trials in television and enacted it every time they went out into the streets dressed as they were told to dress. They had not become part of the crowd who watched the executions, but they did not have the power to protest them, either.
The only way to leave the circle, to stop dancing with the jailor, is to find a way to preserve one's individuality, that unique quality which evades description but differentiates one human being from the other. That is why, in their world, rituals-- empty rituals-- become so central. There was not much difference between our jailers and Cincinnatus's executioners. They invaded all private spaces and tried to shape ever gesture, to force us to become one of them, and in that itself was another form of execution."

It is long, I know, and detailed. But really read it and think about it deeply. It has a lot to say.

Torah Scroll from Bergen-Belsen

I also learned a further Holocaust connection to another item that Ilan Ramon took with him on that fateful shuttle mission. You can read the story of a Torah scroll and comment on this story.

Petr Ginz and Ilan Ramon

“Moon Landscape” connects the dream of one Jewish boy who is a symbol of the talent lost in the Holocaust, to the journey of one Jewish astronaut, who is a symbol of our revival. (Quote from Jewish education website)

We talked a little in class about Petr and Ilan Ramon (the first Israeli astronaut). I have been so moved by different stories I have discovered about their connection. Below are a few quotes and the picture. Please feel free to comment on this topic.

"Being the first Israeli astronaut -- I feel I am representing all Jews and all Israelis," Ramon said. Referring to his mother and grandmother, who both survived imprisonment in Auschwitz, he added, "I'm the son of a Holocaust survivor -- I carry on the suffering of the Holocaust generation, and I'm kind of proof that despite all the horror they went through, we're going forward."




"Speaking to the New York-based American Society for Yad Vashem from the Houston, Texas Space Centre where he was in training, Ilan Ramon said, "I feel that my journey fulfills the dream of Petr Ginz 58 years on. A dream that is ultimate proof of the greatness of the soul of a boy imprisoned within the ghetto walls, the walls of which could not conquer his spirit. Ginz's drawings, stored at Yad Vashem, are a testimony to the triumph of the spirit."

I wanted to commemorate the spirit of both these great souls, Ilan and Petr, by repainting young Petr's landscape in such a way as to show both of them, side by side, looking on the Earth from the vantage point of the dream they shared...as I like to think they now are. You can see the results of my efforts below.

The next time you look at the stars, think of them. They died so that one day, our children may turn to look at the distant Earth and see the pain and strife of this life in it's proper perspective. "
Barry Munden, Feb.1, 2003

Week of March 9

I think you all saw on Friday that things are getting more emotional. I really appreciate the sincerity you put into your letters. I have read a few and they are very well-written. I like that you put so much thought and effort into them. I hope to see more of that in the coming weeks. Be sure that you have finished the Salvaged Pages reading by Monday so that we can talk about it. I am pretty excited about Monday's activity as well, because I feel like you all are good writers. Tuesday's test is a big one. Study hard and take it seriously. There is also a blog assignment due this week, by Friday. I will give you several possibilities to blog on.

Monday, March 9
Continue ghettos
Warsaw Uprising
"To the Little Polish Boy"
Salvaged Pages
DUE: Journal entry #4

Tuesday, March 10
Evaluation (test)
DUE: Visual over the quote

Wednesday, March 11
Share visuals and poems
Wannsee Conference

Thursday, March 12
Wannsee Conference clip

Friday, March 13
Deportations