Night An Introduction By Elie Wiesel This PowerPoint introduces the book and provides background on the early life of Elie Wiesel, but does not give away major plot evens. Night: An Introduction © 2013, Lauren Colletti. All Rights Reserved.

Night by Elie Wiesel In Night, published in 1958, Elie Wiesel recounts his experiences during the Holocaust. Night is part of a trilogy; it is followed by Dawn, then Day.

Elie Wiesel Elie Wiesel was born in Sighet, Romania, on September 30, 1928. Town of Sighet Transylvania (Romania after 1940)

Life in Sighet In Sighet, Elie lived with his mother, Sarah, his father, Shlomo, his older sisters Hilda and Bea, and his younger sister Tzipora. Elie’s parents ran a store. Elie’s little sister, Tzipora. Wiesel Home, Sighet.

Elie’s Childhood Elie Wiesel: “My childhood was really a childhood blessed with love and hope and faith and prayer. I come from a very religious home and in my little town I was not the only one who prayed and was loved. There were people who were poorer than us, yet in my town, we were considered to be not a wealthy family, but well-to-do, which means we weren't hungry. There were people who were.” http://www.achievement.org/autodoc/photocredit/achievers/wie0-009 Elie Wiesel with his mother and sisters.

Shlomo Wiesel, Elie’s Father Elie’s father, Shlomo, was a respected member of the community. “My father was a cultured man, rather unsentimental. He rarely displayed his feelings, not even within his family, and was more involved with the welfare of others than with that of his own kin. The Jewish community of Sighet help him in highest esteem; his advice on public and even private matters was frequently sought.” Night by Elie Wiesel, page 4

Elie’s Religious Life Elie, a teenager devoted to studying the Kabbalah, found a teacher in Moishe the Beadle. “I met him in 1941. I was almost thirteen, and deeply observant.” After Moishe had a terrifying experience, he tried to warn the town of Sighet of impending danger, but no one believed him. By the time they found out Moishe was right, it was too late. Temple in Sighet “Today, out of two temples, six synagogues and 13 prayer houses only the Igniter Klaus Temple is left. It was built in 1885, rebuilt, repaired and restored in 1936, 1950, 1970 and 1981.” http://www.romaniajewishtours.com/synagoges-and-cemeteries/#sig

Elie Wiesel Elie was just 15 years old when the Nazis invaded his hometown, and changed his life forever.

Interview with Elie Wiesel In this video clip, Elie Wiesel returns to Auschwitz with Oprah Winfrey, who interviews his about his experiences. As you view… Jot down 5 facts and 2 questions about the Holocaust. Click on the book to be taken to SchoolTube’s clip of Oprah interviewing Elie Wiesel. Part 1, about 10 minutes, a good introduction to the Holocaust and the book. *** Some graphic images, please preview to determine suitability for your students.