Holocaust Remembrance

​International Holocaust Remembrance Day

By Meredith EastWakeMS

What is Remembrance Day?

Observed on January 27th, the anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau.

A day to honor the 6 million Jewish victims and millions of others (Romani, people with disabilities, political dissidents).

Multiple Choice

Why was January 27th chosen as the date for International Holocaust Remembrance Day?

• It was the day the Nazi party was first formed.

• It marks the anniversary of the liberation of the Auschwitz-Birkenau concentration camp.

• It is the day the war in Europe officially ended.

• It was the birthday of the most famous "upstander" in history.

The "Stages" of Genocide

The Holocaust didn't start with violence; it started with words.

Dehumanization: Using propaganda to make a group appear "less than human."

Isolation: The Nuremberg Laws took away Jewish citizenship and rights.

Multiple Choice

According to the "Stages" of genocide, what was the purpose of the Nuremberg Laws?

• To provide better housing for all German citizens.

• To isolate Jewish people by stripping them of their citizenship and legal rights.

• To encourage trade between different European countries.

• To help Jewish families immigrate to the United States.

Lessons for Today

Upstander vs. Bystander: History shows that genocide is made possible when the majority of people act as bystanders (those who see something wrong but do nothing). An upstander is someone who speaks out or intervenes to protect others.

"Never Again": This phrase is a global commitment to recognize the early warning signs of genocide—such as hate speech, the loss of civil rights, and "othering" (viewing a group as different or dangerous).

Individual Responsibility: Remembrance isn't just about world leaders; it's about the daily choices individuals make to stand up for the dignity of their neighbors.

Multiple Choice

In the context of the Holocaust, what is the main difference between a bystander and an upstander?

• An upstander is a government official, while a bystander is a regular citizen.

• A bystander is someone who leaves the country, while an upstander stays to fight.

• A bystander watches injustice happen without acting, while an upstander takes action to help those being targeted.

• There is no difference; both are terms for people who survived the war.

Multiple Choice

What is a major positive outcome of teaching and observing Holocaust Remembrance Day globally?

• It ensures that history will never be taught in schools again.

• It educates people on how to recognize and stop the "Stages of Genocide" before they lead to mass violence.

• It guarantees that all wars will stop immediately.

• It teaches people that the past has no connection to the modern world.

Multiple Choice

Based on what we've learned about the Holocaust, what is the most dangerous behavior of a population when a government begins to take away the rights of a minority group?

• Asking too many questions about the new laws.

• Moving to a different country to find work.

• Remaining silent (being a bystander), which allows the "Stages of Genocide" to continue unchecked.

• Writing letters to the editor of a newspaper to complain.

Open Ended

The Source: Elie Wiesel (Nobel Prize Speech, 1986)

"I swore never to be silent whenever and wherever human beings endure suffering and humiliation. We must take sides. Neutrality helps the oppressor, never the victim. Silence encourages the tormentor, never the tormented."

In your own words, why does Wiesel believe that being "neutral" or "silent" is actually helpful to the person doing the hurting?