1. Do Now
As many of you know, the Jewish people of Europe were the main target during the Holocaust.
Do Now Section:
What do you think life was like for Jews in Germany prior to Hitler’s rise to power?

2. Testimony
1. How does John Graham describe his feelings toward Germany before the war?
2. H. Henry Sinason: What was his life like before the Nazis came to power?
3. What was the relationship like between Jews and non-Jews before the war?

3. Testimony
1. How does John Graham describe his feelings toward Germany before the war?
He liked his country at the time.
2. H. Henry Sinason: What was his life like before the Nazis came to power?
His life was good. His family had a nice apartment, his parents went to the theatre, his father worked hard, and they followed their religious duties.
3. What was the relationship like between Jews and non-Jews before the war?
In Margaret Lambert’s case, she was friends with many non-Jews. There was never any negative feelings.

4. Stereotypes Why were the Jews targeted?
A stereotype is a generalization about a person or group of people without respecting individual differences.
Stereotypes may be easy to believe, but this does not make them true.
Examples…

5. Discuss and Record with your group
Why do you think people continue to believe stereotypes?
It is a short-cut way to understand other people you don’t know.
They have nothing else to go on.
If you don’t like someone, it’s an easier way to judge them.
Why are stereotypes dangerous?
They group people into one category.
Some express very negative things about a group of people
Example: violent, greedy

6. Anti-Semitism
Anti-Semitism means prejudice and hatred towards people of Jewish descent.
Anti-Semitism did not begin when Hitler came to power in Anti-Semitism has been in Germany a long time and in other European countries.
For many centuries, Jews had been the victims of widespread hatred and suspicion.

7. In the 1800s, a new form of Anti-Semitism started which objected to Jew’s new high status within society and their economic achievements.
Some groups tried to isolate “the Jew” and define them as “the other.”
This attitude developed into a myth called the “Jewish conspiracy,” in which Jews were accused of creating a secret plot to take over the world, and also that Jews were racially inferior to other races.

8. Testimony 1. Describe how Henry says that his friends have changed.
2. Henry Laurant makes it a point to discuss his father’s occupation and position in the community. How does this help you understand what was happening in Germany during this time?

9. Reflection 1. Describe how Henry says that his friends have changed.
His classmates would not play with him and would call them names, such as dirty Jew.
2. Henry Laurant makes it a point to discuss his father’s occupation and position in the community. How does this help you understand what was happening in Germany during this time?
His father was well known and respected within the community as a doctor, yet his house was still vandalized with nasty messages. The situation was becoming very serious if people would do this to a man of his high position.

10. Reflection How was the atmosphere changing in Germany at this time?
How do you think the Jewish people felt at this time?

11. Do Now Take out the WHIL due today!
With your group, discuss the following questions:
Do you think anti-Semitism is only a problem of the past, or should we still be concerned with it today?
Can you think of examples? Or of other specific stereotypes still present today?

12. Recent Acts of Anti-Semitism

13. Not in Our Town
With your group, read the story about what anti-Semitism that happened in the U.S. in the past 30 years.

14. Discussion Questions
1. Why do you think some people choose to join hate groups?
2. How do you think people are recruited to join hate groups?
3. What risks did the people of Billings take when they decided to take action against what was happening in their community?
4. What are some other risks a person takes when he or she becomes an allie?

15. “Not in Our Town”
A documentary was made right after Billings began to fight back against the anti-Semitism occurring.
The documentary encouraged other communities to join the “Not in Our Town” campaign.
The campaign includes:
Speeches by public leaders promising that the community will stand together against any hate groups or prejudice
Educational programs
Workshops
Online program
Posters to spread the message

16. Activity
With your group, you are going to design a poster for the “Not in Our Town” campaign.
This poster should promote, tolerance acceptance understanding, and peace between peoples of different religions, customs, backgrounds, etc.
Include:
2-3 statements
1 large visual or 2-3 smaller visuals
Colorful
Not in Our Town symbol

17. Do Now
One person from your group may retrieve your “Not in our town” poster.
Do not begin working yet.
No homework tonight.
Everyone get their binder checked on Friday?