Created by Jessica Rockhold. Updated January 2024.
Midwest Center for Holocaust Education

Grade Level
7th-12th grade

Subject
Social Studies
Language Arts/Reading

Time Needed
1-2 class periods

Introduction
Jewish responses to the Holocaust are best described as “choiceless choices.” Jews had to form judgements and make decisions without there being real, viable alternatives to their situation.

This activity allows students to analyze the types of decisions four different individuals or groups made during the Holocaust. It is intended to provide an overall snap-shot of the Holocaust experience. A similar exercise could be constructed with the primary source testimony of any victim of the Holocaust. The lesson could be adapted to focus on a specific Holocaust experience such as life in the ghettos, hiding, partisan groups, or women’s lives.

Materials
Jewish Responses Teacher Instructions
Jewish Responses Student Worksheet