The enormity of the Holocaust was such that no victim response to it would have stopped the Germans from implementing genocide. Jews under Nazi control faced various and overwhelming obstacles to effective resistance. Despite this, Jews repeatedly sought to oppose Nazi policy in various ways. While armed uprisings or partisan activities are often held up as examples of successful Jewish resistance, not all resistance was armed. Often the only course of action available was an act of unarmed resistance.
Successful acts of resistance took many forms, ranging from personal acts to preserve dignity; social acts to preserve the community such as organizing clandestine schools and soup kitchens or underground record keeping; political acts such as the sabotage of the German war industry; and eventually, armed uprisings. Nowhere was resistance more robust than in the ghettos where Jews last lived as families and communities and resistance activities occurred amidst extreme conditions and against enormous odds.
Using at least 3 of the documents provided by MCHE, plus a minimum of 2 outside resources, prepare an essay or documentary that addresses all parts of the following topic:
RESEARCH: Describe the goals and obstacles to one specific form of Jewish resistance in the ghettos. Explain how that method was used by one Jewish person or group.
REFLECTION: Consider the Kansas City Holocaust memorial and Nathan Rapoport’s Memorial to the Warsaw Ghetto Uprising. After researching several types of resistance, why do you think that memorialization disproportionately focuses on armed resistance? How might you elevate forms of non-armed resistance in memorialization efforts.
Mia Henry
Oxford Middle School
Blue Valley School District
Jaida Anderlik, Sponsoring Teacher
Jacob Kephart
Harmony Middle School
Blue Valley School District
Michelle Sutton, Sponsoring Teacher
Avital Mullokandova
Hyman Brand Hebrew Academy
R. Gina Renee, Sponsoring Teacher
Halima Talbi
Indian Hills Middle School
Shawnee Mission School District
Theresa Jones, Sponsoring Teacher
Denah Thomas
Hyman Brand Hebrew Academy
R. Gina Renee, Sponsoring Teacher
Lower Division Winner
Sylvie Idol
Blue Valley North High School
Blue Valley School District
Barbara Turnbull, Teacher
Bailey Biggs
Notre Dame de Sion
Penny Selle, Sponsoring Teacher
Meredith Cole
Lone Jack High School
Lone Jack School District
Angela Gottesburen, Teacher
Sarah Gillespie
Lone Jack High School
Lone Jack School District
Angela Gottesburen, Teacher
Jack Stevenson
Lone Jack High School
Lone Jack School District
Angela Gottesburen, Teacher
Upper Division Winner
Makenzie Brantner
Lone Jack High School
Lone Jack School District
Angela Gottesburen, Teacher
Braden Thompson
Home School
Jennifer Thompson, Teacher
Photos from a fabulous evening…
The contest is named in memory of the White Rose, a resistance movement consisting of German university students. Among them were Hans and Sophie Scholl, along with several friends and their professor, were arrested and executed for distributing leaflets denouncing the policies of the Nazi regime. The project commemorates the efforts of these brave young people who gave their lives for what they believed in. May their memories inspire us to reflect upon our own responsibilities as citizens in a democratic nation.
Our mission is to teach the history of the Holocaust, applying its lessons to counter indifference, intolerance, and genocide.
Consider making a gift today.
