Echoes and Reflections Lesson 4 The Ghettos Echoes and Reflections Lesson 4

“Ghetto” What do you know about this word? Historically referred to a street or city section where only Jews lived. First used in Venice 1516, part of the phrase “Géto Nuovo” meaning “New Foundry.” Jewish section of the city was originally a foundry or factory. The Jews of Easter Europe were forced to leave their homes to live in ghettos where they were held as prisoners.

Life in the Ghettos Lesson Part 1

Testimony Viewing Ellis Lewin Joseph Morton Born on May 22, 1932 in Lodz, Poland. Forced to live in the Lodz ghetto. Later imprisoned in the Augsburg, Dachau, München-Allach, and Kaufbeuren concentration camps. Prisoner in the Auschwitz-Birkenau extermination camp. Was 7 years old when war began Born on July 11, 1924 in Lodz, Poland. Forced to live in the Lodz ghetto. Later imprisoned in the Kaufering, Auschwitz, Mühldorf, Dachau, München-Allach, and Landshut concentration camps. Was 15 years old when war began.

Discuss How does Ellis say his life changed after being forced into the ghetto? What does Joseph share about his observations of life in the ghetto? Based on the testimonies you just watched, how were ghettos during the Holocaust different from your understanding of what a ghetto is today? What images have begun to emerge for you about ghetto life after listening to these two testimonies? How do you think Ellis and Joseph felt sharing these memories?

Jews Crossing the Bridge in the Lodz Ghetto What do you think the Jews crossing the bridge were feeling as they looked down upon the scene below?

Questions about Nazi Ideology What were the Nazis’ intentions in closing Jews in the ghettos? What do you think was the purpose of concentrating Jews together in certain central locations? Why did the Germans what to establish ghettos near railway transports? Why did the Germans establish a Jewish Council, or Judenrat, in each ghetto? What are some possible reasons why the Germans themselves didn’t govern the ghettos? How might the establishment of a Judenrat have given Jews a false sense of security?

Questions about Jewish Responses Identify some of the dilemmas that Jews faced on a daily basis in the ghettos. What were some ways that Jews attempted to keep their dignity and sanity in the ghettos? How does this description of ghetto life compare to the description of ghetto life presented in the testimonies at the beginning of this lesson? Discuss the difference between physical and economic segregation. When people describe a neighborhood today as a “ghetto,” how is it different from the Nazi ghettos? Are there any similarities?

Ghettos in Europe Map In which countries were the ghettos located? Looking at this map, how many ghettos would you estimate were established across Eastern and Central Europe? Why do you think that there were no ghettos in Western Europe? What other observations do you have after looking at this map?

The Lodz Ghetto Why did the Nazis completely seal the Lodz ghetto? Why did Chaim Rumkowski encourage the people in the Lodz ghetto to work and produce war supplies for the Nazi troops? What was the reasoning behind having children work in the workshops? Why were the city inhabitants hostile to Jews in the Lodz ghetto?

The Role of the Ghettos Lesson Part 2

The Role of the Ghettos To control and confine the Jews. The situation in the ghettos led to Jews being weakened as well. Share examples you already know about specific ways that the Nazis attempted to control and confine the Jews in the ghettos. Divide a piece of paper into 3 columns and label the columns “control,” “confine,” and “weaken.” Complete the chart with specific examples you hear in the following testimonies.

Testimony Viewing Leo Berkenwald Milton Belfer Born on August 31, 1923 in Lodz, Poland. Forced to live in the Lodz Ghetto. Later imprisoned in the Dörnhau, Auschwitz, and Eule concentration camps. Was 16 years old when war began. Born on August 24, 1922 in Lodz, Poland. Forced to live in the Lodz Ghetto. Later imprisoned in the Auschwitz, Siegmar-Schönau, and Hohenstein-Ernsttahl concentration camps. Was 17 years old when war began.

George Shainfarber Born on January 4, 1927 in Lodz, Poland. Forced to live in the Lodz Ghetto. Imprisoned in the Auschwitz-Birkenau extermination camp. Was 12 years old when war began.

Discussion Leo Berkenwald lived within the confines of what eventually became the Lodz ghetto. Even though he was still living in the same city, how did his life change once the ghetto was created? What does Milton Belfer’s testimony add to your understanding of life in the ghetto? What does Leo’s add? What role did food play in George Shainfarber’s experience in the ghetto?

Eva Safferman Born on April 15, 1928 in Lodz, Poland. Forced to live in the Lodz Ghetto. Later imprisoned in the Hamburg-Sasel, Auschwitz I, and Bergen-Belsen concentration camps. Also a prisoner in the Auschwitz-Birkenau extermination camp. Was 11 years old when war began.

Discuss What are some specific things that you learned about what life was like for children in the ghettos from Eva Safferman, Ellis Lewin, and George Shainfarber? Would you describe their behavior as uncharacteristic for most children? Why or why not? What were some of the ways in which families and neighbors tried to cope with circumstances in the ghetto?

Excerpts from the Diary of Dawid Sierakowiak What does Josef Zelkowicz mean when he asks “Do you have any children at all in the ghetto?” What are some examples from the testimonies that illustrate that children felt they could not afford to be children? What does Dawid mean when he says “Oh, my dear school! Damn the times when I complained about getting up in the morning and about tests. If only I could have them back!” Have you ever had a similar feeling about something? What did school mean in the ghetto?

Excerpts from the Diary of Dawid Sierakowiak What does going to school represent for Dawid? What do you think Dawid means when he writes: “Humiliation inflicted by force does not humiliate”? Do you agree or disagree with him? Explain why. Dawid writes, “long live humor.” How does he show in his diary that he has a sense of humor? How do you think it is possible for people to keep a sense of humor during unthinkably difficult times?

Excerpts from the Diary of Dawid Sierakowiak In his testimony, Ellis Lewin says he believes that the children who were physically able to survive did so because “they didn’t know any better.” What do you think Ellis means by this? Do you agree or disagree with him? Why or why not?