United States History Student Edition

concept so connected to Jewish identity and culture? Write your claim about the connection between the idea of diaspora and Judaism. Support your claim with evidence from this lesson. 3. Informative/Explanatory Writing Using a variety of sources, research and analyze the causes and consequences of the Holocaust. Be careful to use only sources that are reliable, accurate, and trustworthy. Be sure to include information on the role of anti- Semitism as it applies to the time and place of Germany in the 1930s and 1940s. 4. Collaborating Adolf Hitler’s rise to power, and his control of Germany for twelve years, required the help of many civilian and military leaders. With a partner, research biographical information about a Nazi leader or official other than Hitler. Attempt to answer the questions: What life events or personal background made this person likely to join the Nazi movement and participate in its actions? Prepare a short speech introducing the leader or official and how that person’s background might have influenced his life’s course. 5. Interpreting Information Work in a group to investigate first-person testimony from those who witnessed the Holocaust, such as survivors, resistors, and rescuers. Within your group, discuss the horrors these people witnessed, the reasons the actions were allowed to take place, and lessons to be learned. Once your group has thoroughly explored those topics, discuss how people around the world can work to prevent genocide from taking place today. 6. Argumentative Writing Prior to the start of World War II, German leaders generally supported the idea of Jews emigrating from Germany to other nations. However, there was little cooperation from potential host countries to which such people could have moved, including the United States. As a result, only a small percentage of Jews who wanted to leave Germany were able to do so. Imagining that you are a U. S. citizen in the 1930s, write a letter to President Roosevelt explaining why more Jews from Europe should be allowed to move to the U.S. Include references to what information was publicly known about events in Germany, and choose how to appeal to Roosevelt on moral, political, or other grounds.

In the United States, Jewish temples and synagogues have endured vandalism, arson, and even deadly terrorist attacks, some of which have taken place during worship services. In one of the deadliest incidents, eleven people were killed when a gunman entered a synagogue in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania in 2018. American and world leaders have regularly condemned anti- Semitism, and the United Nations adopted in 2022 a resolution condemning the problem of Holocaust denial . 7 CHECK FOR UNDERSTANDING Analyzing What details in the text help you determine what modern anti-Semitism looks like? This photo shows vandalism of a Jewish Cemetery in Aldershot, England in the 2000s. The vandals spray-painted anti-Semitic graffiti, including the swastika and SS symbols of the Nazis, on tombstones. Writing Summarize the beliefs and history of Judaism. Attempt to answer the questions: Where did the religion originate? What makes the religion unique? Once you have collected your thoughts, write a paragraph summarizing the basic beliefs of Judaism. 2. Argumentative Writing Why do you think the idea of a diaspora is so important to those of Jewish faith and heritage, even today? What events long ago made this LESSON ACTIVITIES 1. Informative/Explanatory

Holocaust denial the conspiracy theory that the Holocaust did not occur

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