Night Elie Wiesel

Indifference to evil is evil. —Elie Wiesel

Nonfiction: types An autobiography is a sketch of the author’s entire life, often from birth up until the time of the writing. An autobiography is a sketch of the author’s entire life, often from birth up until the time of the writing. A memoir focuses on one aspect of the writer’s life. Memoirs usually cover a relatively short span of time, and their main purpose is to draw the reader’s attention to a specific theme or circumstance. A memoir focuses on one aspect of the writer’s life. Memoirs usually cover a relatively short span of time, and their main purpose is to draw the reader’s attention to a specific theme or circumstance.

Nonfiction: other types A biography is the story of a life from another person’s perspective. A biography is the story of a life from another person’s perspective. An essay is a short nonfiction work that addresses a specific subject. An essay is a short nonfiction work that addresses a specific subject. A speech is a talk or an address presented to an audience. A speech is a talk or an address presented to an audience.

Night by Elie Wiesel Autobiographical, memoir Autobiographical, memoir Focus on observation - describes an event that the writer witnessed firsthand. Focus on observation - describes an event that the writer witnessed firsthand. Elie Wiesel - Bearing Witness - invites us to listen, and to remember. “Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it.” Elie Wiesel - Bearing Witness - invites us to listen, and to remember. “Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it.”

Background Prewar European population: 9.5 million Prewar European population: 9.5 million Most Jews lived in eastern Europe, primarily in the Soviet Union and Poland. Most Jews lived in eastern Europe, primarily in the Soviet Union and Poland. The Nazi party came to power in Germany in The Nazi party came to power in Germany in The Germans moved to extend their power in central Europe, annexing Austria and destroying Czechoslavkia. The Germans moved to extend their power in central Europe, annexing Austria and destroying Czechoslavkia.

Background (2) Germany invaded Poland in 1939, beginning World War II. Germany invaded Poland in 1939, beginning World War II. Over the next two years, German forces conquered most of Europe. Over the next two years, German forces conquered most of Europe. The Germans established ghettos in occupied eastern territories, isolating and persecuting the Jewish population. The Germans established ghettos in occupied eastern territories, isolating and persecuting the Jewish population.

Background (3) Nazi anti-Jewish policy expanded with the invasion of the Soviet Union in Nazi anti-Jewish policy expanded with the invasion of the Soviet Union in Mobile killing units murdered Jews, Roma (also called Gypsies), Soviet political commissars and others. Mobile killing units murdered Jews, Roma (also called Gypsies), Soviet political commissars and others. The Germans and their collaborators deported Jews to extermination camps in occupied Poland. The Germans and their collaborators deported Jews to extermination camps in occupied Poland.

Background (4) At the largest extermination camp, Auschwitz-Birkenau, transports arrived almost daily from across Europe. At the largest extermination camp, Auschwitz-Birkenau, transports arrived almost daily from across Europe. By war’s end, almost six million Jews and millions of others had perished in the Holocaust. By war’s end, almost six million Jews and millions of others had perished in the Holocaust. Postwar European Jewish Population, ca. 1950: 3.5 million Postwar European Jewish Population, ca. 1950: 3.5 million

Terms to Know Holocaust Holocaust Genocide Genocide Ghetto Ghetto Prejudice Prejudice Discrimination Discrimination Kapo Kapo Los Los Gestapo Gestapo Race Race Ethnicity Ethnicity Anti-Semitism Anti-Semitism Euphemism Euphemism Fascism Fascism Death camp Death camp Concentration camp Concentration camp

Holocaust Holocaust means “complete destruction by fire.” Holocaust means “complete destruction by fire.” The term is now associated with the murder of more than six million Jewish people during World War II. The term is now associated with the murder of more than six million Jewish people during World War II.

Genocide Genocide is a word that combines the Greek word “genos” (meaning race, people, or nation) and the ending “cide” (meaning to kill). Genocide is a word that combines the Greek word “genos” (meaning race, people, or nation) and the ending “cide” (meaning to kill). Genocide refers to the deliberate and systematic extermination of a national, racial, political, or cultural group. Genocide refers to the deliberate and systematic extermination of a national, racial, political, or cultural group.

Ghetto The confinement of Jews in a set-apart area of the city. The confinement of Jews in a set-apart area of the city.

Prejudice Prejudice comes from the word “prejudge” (pre-judge, or judge beforehand). Prejudice comes from the word “prejudge” (pre-judge, or judge beforehand). A prejudice is a preconceived opinion or feeling formed without knowledge, thought or reason. A prejudice is a preconceived opinion or feeling formed without knowledge, thought or reason. Prejudices are often based on stereotypes. Prejudices are often based on stereotypes.

Discrimination Discrimination is when actions are based upon prejudices, stereotypes, and biases. Discrimination is when actions are based upon prejudices, stereotypes, and biases.

Kapo Camp prisoner forced to oversee other prisoners. Camp prisoner forced to oversee other prisoners.

los German for “Go on!” German for “Go on!”

Race Any people united by common history, language, or cultural traits. Any people united by common history, language, or cultural traits. The Dutch race. The Dutch race.

Ethnicity A shared and distinctive cultural characteristic pertaining to the language, religion, background, etc. of a group of people. A shared and distinctive cultural characteristic pertaining to the language, religion, background, etc. of a group of people. Ethnicity generally refers to a minority within a larger society. Ethnicity generally refers to a minority within a larger society.

Anti-Semitism Hostility toward or discrimination against Jewish people. Hostility toward or discrimination against Jewish people.

Euphemism A mild or vague term that is substituted for one that is harsh or offensive. A mild or vague term that is substituted for one that is harsh or offensive. “To pass away” is a euphemism for “to die.” “To pass away” is a euphemism for “to die.”

Fascism A system of government with centralized authority under a dictator, stringent socioeconomic controls, suppression of the opposition through terror and censorship and usually a policy of belligerent nationalism and racism. A system of government with centralized authority under a dictator, stringent socioeconomic controls, suppression of the opposition through terror and censorship and usually a policy of belligerent nationalism and racism.

Death camp Camps dedicated to the efficient murder of Jews and other victims; Camps dedicated to the efficient murder of Jews and other victims; E.g. Auschwitz-Birkenau, Belzec, Chelmo, Madjanek, Sobibor, Treblinka. E.g. Auschwitz-Birkenau, Belzec, Chelmo, Madjanek, Sobibor, Treblinka. The terms was also used for concentration camps where thousands died of starvation and disease. The terms was also used for concentration camps where thousands died of starvation and disease.

Concentration camp Camps that were primarily used for slave labor Camps that were primarily used for slave labor Holding camps or Holding camps or Transit camps Transit camps

Names and Places Adolf Hitler Adolf Hitler Heinrich Himmler Heinrich Himmler Adolph Eichmann Adolph Eichmann Rudolph Hess Rudolph Hess Dr. Mengele Dr. Mengele Aryan Race Aryan Race Third Reich Third Reich SS SS Gestapo Gestapo Dachau Dachau Aushwitz Aushwitz Theresienstadt Theresienstadt Selection Selection Ghetto Ghetto The Final Solution The Final Solution

Jewish / Biblical terms to know Cabbala Cabbala Hasidism Hasidism Job Job Kaddish Kaddish Maimonides Maimonides Messiah Messiah Zohar Zohar Passover Passover Pentecost Pentecost Rosh Hashana Rosh Hashana Lazarus Lazarus Synagogue Synagogue Talmud Talmud Temple Temple Yellow star Yellow star Yom Kippur Yom Kippur Zionism Zionism

Cabbala Jewish mysticism, including numerology. Jewish mysticism, including numerology.

Hasidism Movement of Orthodox Judaism with strong mystical and emotional elements. Movement of Orthodox Judaism with strong mystical and emotional elements.

Job Biblical figure who has come to symbolize suffering. Biblical figure who has come to symbolize suffering.

Kaddish A prayer in Aramaic praising God. The mourner’s Kaddish is said for the dead. A prayer in Aramaic praising God. The mourner’s Kaddish is said for the dead.

Maimonides ( ) Jewish rabbi Jewish rabbi Physician Physician Philosopher Philosopher

Messiah Greek translation of Hewbrew Mashiach Greek translation of Hewbrew Mashiach The anointed one. The anointed one.

Zohar From the Hebrew meaning light or splendor. From the Hebrew meaning light or splendor. One of the major works of the Cabbala. One of the major works of the Cabbala.

Passover Greek word for the celebration of the exodus of Jewish people from Slavery in Egypt. Greek word for the celebration of the exodus of Jewish people from Slavery in Egypt.

Pentecost The celebration of the giving of the Torah. The celebration of the giving of the Torah.

Rosh Hashana Jewish New Year. Jewish New Year.

Lazarus A man described in the Books of John and Luke as having been raised from the dead by Jesus. A man described in the Books of John and Luke as having been raised from the dead by Jesus.

Synagogue A Jewish house of worship and study. A Jewish house of worship and study.

Talmud The most important compilation of Jewish oral tradition. The most important compilation of Jewish oral tradition.

Temple Holiest place in Judaism, located in Jerusalem. Biblically ordained sacrifices were performed here. Built and destroyed twice. Holiest place in Judaism, located in Jerusalem. Biblically ordained sacrifices were performed here. Built and destroyed twice.

Yellow Star Nazis forced Jews to wear a cloth badge with the word Jew written in the center of a yellow six pointed star. Nazis forced Jews to wear a cloth badge with the word Jew written in the center of a yellow six pointed star.

Yom Kippur Day of Atonement. Day of Atonement. Holiest day of Jewish year. Holiest day of Jewish year. When the Jews fast and pray for forgiveness of their sins. When the Jews fast and pray for forgiveness of their sins.

Zionism Political movement advocating the establishment of a Jewish state. Political movement advocating the establishment of a Jewish state.

Night: Introduction When you see something that’s wrong, do you just stand by? Or do you act to try and stop it?

Night: Introduction In 1941, Eliezer was a twelve-year-old boy who lived with his father, mother, and three sisters in a small village near the border of Romania and Hungary.

Night: Introduction Eliezer was a religious boy who welcomed nightfall as a time for prayer and who thought of becoming a rabbi.

Night: Introduction But when Nazis took over Eliezer’s Jewish community, his family was first sent to live in a ghetto and then taken to Auschwitz, one of the most infamous concentration camps.

Night: Introduction Eliezer and his father were separated from Eliezer’s mother and sisters. He would never see his mother or his youngest sister, Tzipora, again.

Night: Introduction Inside the camp, Eliezer will witness horrible acts of cruelty and suffer in terrible ways. How will he survive? Can his religious faith endure the atrocities he witnesses? What message does he bring to the world from such horror?

Night: Background In Night, Elie Wiesel shares his story of the Holocaust, the name given to the persecution and murder of millions of Jews and others during World War II. Holocaust comes from a Greek word that means “a burnt offering.”

Germany began World War II when it invaded Poland in Night: Background German forces conquered most of Europe in the next two years.

Night: Background Wiesel’s story begins in Romania (now Hungary) in 1941 and ends in When Germans took over this area, local Jews were persecuted. They were forced to wear yellow stars and to live in ghettos, and were then sent to concentration camps.

Night: Background Auschwitz, where Wiesel was sent, was the largest camp. Jews from all over Europe arrived almost daily at Auschwitz.

Night: Background Nazis also targeted other groups: Romany (Gypsies) Non-Jewish Polish intellectual and religious leaders Communists Russians Jehovah’s Witnesses

Night: Background World War II ended in Europe in 1945 with the surrender of German forces to the Allied forces. More than six million Jews had been killed in the Holocaust.

Night: Background Between 1945 and 1946, the Allies tried twenty- two major war criminals for their crimes against humanity. In later years Israeli agents worked to capture and bring to justice Nazis who had escaped the war trials.

Night: Discussion Starters Discuss (1) The German soldiers followed orders to persecute and murder Jews. Many people were bystanders who let the actions unfold without doing anything. What is the danger of blindly following the orders of others? Why do you think some people stand by and do nothing to help others in need?

Night: Discussion Starters Discuss (2) What other genocides—attempts to kill large numbers of a group of people— have you heard or read about? Did people ignore these genocides or try to stop them? What do you think makes people hate members of another group?