Novel Study The Devil’s Arithmetic By Jane Yolen The Devil’s Arithmetic By Jane Yolen

Discrimination (n.) - The act of judging or treating others unfairly based on differences Prejudice (n.) - 1. A judgment or opinion formed without due examination facts. -2. Fear of or hatred for other races, religions, etc.

Background This novel is set in a Polish village and a concentration camp in Europe between 1939 – 1943.

NAZI PARTY  Formed in Munich after World War I  Based on anti-Semitism and a belief in the superiority of “Aryan” Germans  Charismatic leader, Adolf Hitler, elected Chancellor in 1933  Established a dictatorship and rearmed Germany in order to expand  Collapsed at the end of WWII  Formed in Munich after World War I  Based on anti-Semitism and a belief in the superiority of “Aryan” Germans  Charismatic leader, Adolf Hitler, elected Chancellor in 1933  Established a dictatorship and rearmed Germany in order to expand  Collapsed at the end of WWII

SWASTIKA  an ancient symbol in the form of an equal- armed cross with each arm continued at a right angle, used (in clockwise form) as the emblem of the German Nazi Party

JACKBOOT  a large leather military boot reaching to the knee.  a symbol of cruel or authoritarian behavior or rule  a large leather military boot reaching to the knee.  a symbol of cruel or authoritarian behavior or rule

FLOP  The name given to Jews who were hired by the Nazis to enforce order in the ghettos

JEWS  a member of the people and cultural community whose traditional religion is Judaism and who trace their origins through the ancient Hebrew people of Israel to Abraham.

STAR OF DAVID  a six-pointed figure consisting of two interlaced equilateral triangles, used as a Jewish and Israeli symbol.

PASSOVER  the major Jewish spring festival that commemorates the liberation of the Israelites from Egyptian bondage, lasting seven or eight days

SEDER  a Jewish ritual service and ceremonial dinner for the first night or first two nights of Passover

HANUKAH  Hanukah - a Jewish festival, lasting eight days from the 25th day of Kislev (in December) and commemorating the rededication of the Temple in 165 bc by the Maccabees after its desecration by the Syrians. It is marked by the successive kindling of eight lights

MENORAH  a candelabrum used in Jewish worship, especially one with seven branches and a central socket used at Hanukkah

RELOCATION  move to a new place and establish one's home or business there  During World War II the Nazis used the term “relocation” to mislead the Jews and move them to concentration camps  move to a new place and establish one's home or business there  During World War II the Nazis used the term “relocation” to mislead the Jews and move them to concentration camps

YIDDISH  a language used by Jews in central and eastern Europe before the Holocaust. It was originally a German dialect with words from Hebrew and several modern languages and is today spoken mainly in the U.S., Israel, and Russia

GYPSY  a member of a traveling people with dark skin and hair who speakS Romany and traditionally live by seasonal work, itinerant trade, and fortune-telling. Gypsies are now found mostly in Europe, parts of North Africa, and North America, but are believed to have originated in the Indian subcontinent