Elie Wiesel

Wiesel was born in Sighet, Romania, on September 30, 1928. His parents were Shlomo Wiesel and Sarah Feig He had three sisters: Tzipora (the youngest who died at Auschwitz), Hilda, and Beatrice.

Sighet was annexed by Hungary in 1940. The people of his village were sent to Auschwitz in April 1944.

Pictures of Sighet

Weisel House

Synagogue

Town Leaders

Boys working in Sighet before the war.

Zionists: wanted to go to what was then Palestine.

Ghetto in town after transportation.

Wiesel and sisters after the war.

He was liberated by the U.S. Third Army on April 11.[

Wiesel fled to France. He first wrote about his experience in Le Nuit or Night in 1958.

He became an citizen of the US in 1964. HE became the professor of humanities at Boston University in 1976. In 1986 he received the Nobel Peace Prize.

With his prize he created the Elie Wiesel Foundation for Humanity. “Our mission is to combat indifference, intolerance and injustice through international dialogue and youth-focused programs that promote acceptance, understanding, and equality.”

He is working with refugees from Darfur at present.

As we watch the clip from the Oprah Winfrey show, please write five facts you learn. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=slZMOkYJFO0&safety_mode=true&persist_safety_mode=1&safe=activ

It is a very difficult thing to watch. What did you think about as you watched this clip?

Although there is no discrimination allowed by the law in the US, what groups in US society to you think are most disrespected? Why do you think this?