The Diary of Anne Frank An Introduction

The Diary of Anne Frank The diary of a real girl who lived in Europe during World War II. She manages to leave her hopes, dreams, fears, and personality as a never-to-be forgotten legacy for the world.

The diary begins on her 13th birthday when she is given the journal as a gift. It continues until the hours before Anne, her family, and the others she is hiding with in the “Secret Annexe” are arrested by the Gastapo.

She names her diary “Kitty.” She tells us her hopes and dreams, her love and hates, and her philosophy about what it means to be human.

Understanding Judaism Dates back nearly 4,000 years Judaism is the ancestor to both Christianity and Islam. The sacred texts of these three religions overlap in several ways. Hebrew Bible = Christian Old Testament Many Bible stories also appear in the Qur'an The Jews believe in one God, and they believe that God entered into a special covenant with the ancient Israelites, the early Jews, and that they were chosen by God. The central belief is that people should treat others as they, themselves wish to be treated.

Jews observe the Sabbath, which lasts each week from sundown on Friday to sundown on Saturday. They do not work. They pray and attend synagogue services. Traditional holidays include: Rosh Hashana (New Year), Yom Kippur (Day of Atonement), Passover, and Hanukah. At 13, Jewish boys celebrate their Bar Mitzvah, and Jewish girls celebrate their Bat Mitzvah as they prepare to take on adult religious responsibilities.

Anti-Semitism Discrimination against Jews dates back hundreds of years. In some places, Jews were expelled and forced to settle different areas around Europe. In many countries they were forced to seclude themselves in ghettos, where they maintained their own businesses, schools, and professions.

When Hitler became dictator, anti-Semitism became official policy. He blamed the Jews for all of the troubles they suffered after their defeat in World War I. Jews were forced to wear the Star of David on the outside of their clothing.

Jews were forbidden to mingle with others. They were regarded as being less than human. It is estimated that over 6.5 million Jews were murdered during the Holocaust.

Timeline of Anne’s Life June 12, 1929: Anne is born in Frankfurt, Germany. 1933: Her family moved to Amsterdam to escape Nazi Germany. 1940: The Germans invade the Netherlands; Anne’s father begins to make plans to hide in the “secret annex” July, 1942: Anne’s family (mom, dad, Margo) and four additional friends went into hiding. August, 1944: the inhabitants of the “secret annex” are arrested and sent to concentration camps