1. Day 7

2. The Devil’s Arithmetic

3. Interesting Fact The Devil’s Arithmetic was filmed near
Lithuania in a ten-acre concentration camp,
which was designed to resemble Auschwitz. The
area is located just a few miles from one of the
first sites of Jewish genocide, a series of large
pits in the Ponary Forest where 70,000 Jews
were shot to death in 1941 by German and
soldiers.

4. Setting - Poland 1942
Main Character - Hannah
Other characters
Rivkah (Hannah’s cousin and best friend) (Also Hannah’s aunt in the past)
Rabbi Gershon
Ariel (The Rabbi’s son)
Commander Krieger (Commander of the concentration camp)

5. Hannah is a modern teen more concerned with trends than history
Hannah is a modern teen more concerned with trends than history. During the traditional Passover dinner, she zones out as her relatives talk about concentration camps. But then Hannah passes through a portal to the past, where she becomes her own ancestor in Poland during the Nazi persecution of the Jews.

6. Response # 4
Video: “The Devil’s Arithmetic” uses the compelling literary device of casting the main character into a parallel universe. Explore the use of this device in terms of purpose. In what ways could this fictional experience actually prevent history from repeating?
***For those who did not watch the video, watch the following video about the concentration camps and then answer the following question:
Is the Auschwitz camp shown on the short clip similar to the one you pictured in your mind? How was Hitler able to build such a camp during the Great Depression? You may have to do a bit of research.

7. Day 8

8. Discussion Questions
In what ways is Hannah a “typical” American teenager?
How do the numbers inscribed on the relatives’ arms create an eerie atmosphere during the family dinner?
How does Hannah behave during the Jewish prayer and dinner?
When the Nazi arrives, to where do they tell the Jews they are to be taken?
How does Rabbi Gershon anger Commander Krieger?
How does the camera convey the power and might of the Nazis?
Describe the conditions of the barracks.
What type of work are the women made to do?
How does Commander Krieger get his revenge upon Rabbi Gershon?
How is the woman’s decision to die with her infant understandable despite what we know will happen to her?
Aside from weapons, how did the Nazis have control and power over the Jews in camp?
In what scenes does the film demonstrate Jewish dignity and sacrifice as a resistance to Nazi brutality?

9. Extended Thinking
“The Devil’s Arithmetic” opens with Hannah contemplating acquiring a tattoo. Unknown to her then the idea of a tattoo will change dramatically in the concentration camp. What connection does Hannah make regarding the notion of a tattoo?
“The Devil’s Arithmetic” uses the compelling literary device of casting the main character into a parallel universe. Explore the use of this device in terms of purpose. What meaning does the story of the “Wizard of Oz hold’ within The Devil’s Arithmetic” storyline?
To what extent does the “make believe” element of Hannah’s parallel experience affect your understanding of the historical content?
Explain how Hannah’s identity is shaped by her Holocaust experience. What lessons did she learn?

10. WHO IS RESPONSIBLE CIRCLE GRAPH

11. Directions Use the colors listed for each section of your graph.
You must also provide a written explanation as to why you assigned the person(s) amount. Be detailed!
Directions
Determine who was responsible for the Holocaust and to what extent they are guilty.
Create a circle graph in which you assign the person(s) listed a percentage of responsibility you believe they should bear.

12. Color Key
 BROWN: Non-Jewish Europeans who turned against their Jewish friends out of fear.
 WHITE: Leaders of the Allied countries who saw evidence of the Holocaust but refused to get involved or
 PINK: Churches of all denominations who remained silent and refused to intervene
Green: Yahweh, the God of the Jewish faith, who seemed absent and silent during this destruction of His chosen people.
 Red: Residents of Auschwitz and other towns near concentration camps who knew about the camps but did nothing to stop them.
 Blue: Minor Nazi soldiers who carried out the mass extermination orders without questioning their superiors.
 Black Hitler, the leader of the German nation who hated Jews and wanted them destroyed.
YELLOW: German citizens who voted for Hitler and the Nazi Party to revitalize their morally and economically depressed country.
 ORANGE: The Jews who did not try to escape.
 PURPLE: Top SS officers who executed the "final solution" for Hitler.

13. Read the beginning of chapter 4.
Homework
Read the beginning of chapter 4.