Judaism, Antisemitism, and the Holocaust

Judaism Monotheistic religion Culture and religion, NOT a race or ethnicity Roots of both Christianity and Islam Talmud: most important Jewish book, contains teachings and applications of the Jewish bible, Jewish law derived from this book

Judaism, cont. Torah: Jewish bible (first five books of the Old Testament) (often called the Written Torah) Kabbalah: Jewish philosophy that reveals how the universe and life work Rosh Hashanah: Jewish new year, eight days long, ends with Yom Kippur Yom Kippur: Jewish holy day spent in atonement (asking for forgiveness for sins) Antisemitism: prejudice against or hatred of Jews

Jewish Holocaust Terms Nazi Party: National Socialist German Workers’ Party Fascist—political party with one person in charge (dictator), rules emphasize nation over individual SS (Schutzstaffel): Nazi paramilitary organization charged with protecting Hitler and carrying out his plans. Ran concentration camps.

Holocaust Terms, Cont. Kapo: Jewish prisoner responsible for supervising other Jews Ghetto: a confined area in a city where members of a minority group must live First Jewish ghetto was in Venice, Italy in 1516

Literary Terms in Night Irony: what happens isn’t what’s expected to happen Symbolism: an element in the story represents something else (ex: tree symbolizes new life) Imagery: using language to construct a mental image in the reader’s head Motif: a reoccurring image or idea that contributes meaning to the story as a whole