Spectacular+spectacular

  Insight into the holocaust: -Holocaust is a word of greek orgin meaning " //sacrifice// by fire " - //2/3// of Jews were killed in the holocaust -Pre-War European Jews= 9.5 million Post War European Jews = 3.5 million - //6 million// Jews were exterminated -Before WWII //half// the population of Jews lived in Europe -Alongside Jews //200,000// Roma (Gypsys) and 200,000 mentaly ill or phisically disabled patients were killed -Holocaust Rememberance day is May 2nd, 2008 -The American legions did not recieve complete proof of the "final solution" (plan to exterminate all Jews) until August 1942 (from [|www.ushmm.org])

W4Todd: I hope i got it right... But Whatever. So already the novel we are currently reading has hit me emotionally already and I think its going to be a =n amazing book!

Rachel 10-4-08:Elie:  **Moshe the Beadle started talking nonsense about the Germans and killing Jews but I didn't believe any of his stories. Then came the Germans. Our nieghbors where ones that had to house a german. I was told they were some what nice. Then they all of a sudden killed our leaders. Then rule after rule came; jews must stay in their homes for three days, they must wear the yellow star. Thats when I noticed this was really strange. Then we got the two gettos. I liked them though, it was our own jew community with all of us close together.We had all that we needed so therefore I wasn't worried at all. Soon my life came back to normal. I thought that was the end of it. When my father came home from the meeting, I knew that all was not ok. We all have be out of our homes by the next day. So the next day I was outside on the hot pavement with my community. Groups of people left throughout a couple of days. My family was one of the last to go. I really only began my true hate for the Germans when they order strength and I had none. We stayed in my uncles home for awhile. Then we were pulled away in cars. When we arrived I was now under the Geramn armies control.Madame Schachter had always talked about flames and fire. It was the most annoying and tiring thing while we were in the car. We soon began to not believe her, but when we arrived at the camp. There was the fire and the smell of flesh. I was then separated from my mother and sisters forever. I was told that I was going to the fire and that’s where my grave lay. At least I would be going with my father. The closer I got to the flames the more I remembered from the car ride and the first night at camp. Time pasted not knowing how much of it. I had lost everything of mine, from my clothes to my dignity. We were told to work or we would die. Soon I was taken to a new camp, what I first thought was better than the last. I was soon known as A-7713, and that’s all. We soon met up with a relative that we didn’t remember, Stein. I still pretended my mother and sisters were alive, even though I knew it wasn’t true. We were then taken to another camp, Buna .**

Nate Todd 10/3/08: My heard my husband today screaming to all the Jews to get out of their houses. They were just waiting... The sound of children and babies crying of thirst was to much for me so I ran into the nearest building to let my held-back-tears free. I laid there for what seemed like hours, and then around 13:15 I look out a window to se alot of people //still// standing there!! These poor people have been waiting in line for hours and they just seem so confused! More tears roll down my face as I see all the innocent Jews wearing their Star of Davids on their arm pilling into the car.//I// know their true fate. Not them.

Nate Todd 10/5/08: I decide to follow my husband onto the train.I can't be alone. We sit. Hours pass on by then-"FLAMES! FIRE! CAN'T YOU SEE THE FLAMES?" We all rush to the window to see nothing but rolling hills. So lady, probably delirious from all this torture, just screamed out in high volume that there was a disaster outside that there was a fire or something. I fall a sleep on the shoulder of my husband but not even an hour later i hear once again,"FIRE! FIRE! I CAN SEE A FIRE! THERE'RE HUGE FLAMES! CAN'T YOU SEE THE FURNACE?" We later hear punching and screaming and later something that sounds like a woman is being bound and gaged. For the rest of the train ride i hear the poor lady screaming every hour or so. " Well! are you going to do anything about it?1" I ask my husband. He replies in a simple gesture of,"no." Now all I can picture is that poor old lady being hurt so much by this fire...http://s79.photobucket.com/albums/j144/nate1_photo/?action=view&current=Fire-1.jpg.

We end up in the camp at Auschwitz. I see a young boy no older than 15 and standing next to him an older looking man that could be his father. he looks around the age of 50. I then realize that the child isn't an adult and the man is to old of one! Both of them would be out in the furnace! I have seen to many separated families die in that terrible oven and I won't let it happen to them! I go screaming up to my husband ordering him to tell the other SS officers a fake age to stay clear of that fiery hell!He agrees. Whithin seconds he goes up to this man and his son and screams to them their new age. I hear, "NO! you are now 18! and you sir! You from now on are the age of 40! No questions! No leave my sight." With such gratefulness I go up to my wonderful husband and kiss him ever-so lovely! He back. He kisses back. Within a few weeks of seeing things only the devil sees in his nightmares we, as well as other jews, go to a new camp. Buna

 ===      === ===  Julie Slaughter 10-5-08     === ===<span style="FONT-FAMILY: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif"><span style="COLOR: #000000; FONT-FAMILY: Georgia, serif"> <span style="FONT-FAMILY: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif"><span style="COLOR: #000000; FONT-FAMILY: Georgia, serif"> Nazi Soldier #1:     === ===<span style="FONT-FAMILY: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif"><span style="COLOR: #000000; FONT-FAMILY: Georgia, serif"> <span style="FONT-FAMILY: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif"><span style="COLOR: #000000; FONT-FAMILY: Georgia, serif"> -I’ve enlisted finally. Our new leader says that we are the perfect race and that the Jews are standing in our greatness taking our good jobs and polluting our streets. I’m not entirely convinced yet. They are putting Jimmy and Isabel into special classes at school and they come home every day preaching to me about how the nasty Jews are taking over our country and that they are taking our jobs. I just don’t feel that’s right. But because the pressure is on I decided to enter the forces. Currently I am being stationed in Sighet. We have gotten orders to expel all foreign Jews. Several characters left including one vagabond they called Moshe the Beadle. I had liked him, but I fear his fate to this very second. -More orders have come in. Jews can’t go out, they can’t keep valuable items. All Jews can now be noted by a yellow star they must wear on their shoulders. We have them all sanctioned in ghettos now. They believe that they are safe there. Those fools. If only they knew how oppressed they were and how oppressed they will get. It’s as though they are calmly leading the way to their destruction. Eventually we started to cart them off into another ghetto until we finally got the lot into cars. God, how they suffered without a peep. -We traveled for 2 days before getting to Kaschau. The other soldiers ate and drank plentifully while you could hear the laps from the Jews as they drank every drop that they had. Finally they began to realize that they would no longer be in their own place; just a bit too late I suppose. -Late at night a woman began screaming. Something about a fire. When I had left for the army I remember seeing the construction of a camp in Auschwitz. They were working on the interior at the time. All I remember was a large box, with a chimney on top of it. It looked like a giant oven. I wonder if the lady could foretell oh too well what her fate was. When we had finally arrived in Auschwitz the two men that had been allowed out to get water asked me how much longer it was; they offered a gold watch. I told them it was the last one and that they were being sent to a work camp. I felt sorry for the poor souls so I told them it wouldn’t be that bad there. They had enough to worry about. === ===<span style="FONT-FAMILY: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif"><span style="COLOR: #000000; FONT-FAMILY: Georgia, serif"> <span style="FONT-FAMILY: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif"><span style="COLOR: #000000; FONT-FAMILY: Georgia, serif">   Nazi Soldier #2:   -More vermin arrived. This lot was from Sighet. It pleasures me to watch the twist come over their faces when they can smell the flesh of their brethren being burned alive. The twist wraiths there even longer when they have to leave their families. God, I love this job. There were a lot of children in this bunch. Always such a hassle throwing them into the flames; the screams hurt my ears. I then was sent to cut the hair from those beasts. Beating them is the only way to keep those swine in line. By the next morning the hope had vanished from their eyes. These are the moments you work in a camp for. I went to a barrack that night and the first thing I said was “You’re in a concentration camp. At Auschwitz...” Boy did that get them off. They eventually headed off to another part of Auschwitz. There they were to be given names and given work. Later the pigs would be off to Buna. ===

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<span style="FONT-FAMILY: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif"><span style="COLOR: #000000; FONT-FAMILY: Georgia, serif"> <span style="FONT-FAMILY: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif">   <span style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 115%; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman','serif'">Julie Slaughter 10-6-08 <span style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 115%; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman','serif'">-Nazi Soldier #1: I like working in Buna. I feel that the Jews are treated more ethical here. If my leader found me talking like this I would be kicked out for sure. We assigned them to different Kommandos today. I saw all the Jews go to get “checked up” on. The man checking their teeth had a nasty pasting of ‘em in his own mouth. Several weeks passed the same as the rest. The Jews must feel like nothing but a body by now. I know I would. Children are being passed around for the soldier’s pleasure. How people can come to this I do not know. Where your life was nothing but the next meal the next time you might get a chance to see your family even though you know it will most likely not come to pass. Every moment boils down to when you’re not in pain and more frequently when you are. God, how they take it… just take it and go on. For that slim chance that they may get out. That they may see the family they left once again. <span style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 115%; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman','serif'"> <span style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 115%; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman','serif'">Nazi Soldier #2: -Use aggression, always. Use violence, always. Never, let them think they can get away with //__anything__//. When we were being bombed by the American army a soup cauldron was left in the middle of the barracks. One of those louses thought they could get away with stealing a sip. Use aggression, always. He made quite an example. Later we found that another dog had stolen some things during the confusion. Use violence, always. His limp body and tongue left hanging served a fine warning. Later again a boy was found wandering. 25 lashes on the back. You could tell which one of the mongrels was the father as well. His faced clenched every time the crack fell on the boys back. Never, let them think they can get away with //__anything__//. Three more hangings after that. God can only hope that the swine have learned their lesson. Or only hell will keep them
 * [[image:http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3220/2623372476_027d43cdc8.jpg?v=0 width="386" height="500" caption="ellie weisel at buchenwald coloring page by mayaescobar."]] ||
 * ellie weisel at buchenwald coloring page by mayaescobar. ||

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=Rachel Monjesky 10-7-08 Elie:= The new camp was dead. When we arrived there was a health in spection but I wasn't to worried. The first docter just plan out asked me if I was healthy and of coarse I said yes. Then there was a dentist that looked in my mouth for golden teeth. I had one and i knew he was going to want it. The head of our tent was a German Jew. He would bring us extra portions of bread. One day I was working and got in Ideks way and he wasn't going to settle for a sorry. He threw me down to the ground and toseed punches left and right. I was cover in bloode and pain. I was then asked to go see the dentist. I noticed that he was taking everyones gold tooth. The only excuse I could think of to get out of it was that I was sick. He told me to come back. When I did I told him that I was still not well. Being how i was getting the extra portion of bread I offered it to the dentist instead of my tooth. He took my tooth. Later the Polish left. I gave my tooth for no reason. Soon before the Polish left; I was told by Idek that I was yet to go to another camp. I was later walking around and saw him naked with a girl. I didn't know what to do so I stood there. Later I was punished for getting into other people's business. I was wipped 25 times. Towards the end I had passed out. I couldn't even move my lips to say that I couldn't move. The priosoners stood me up in front of Idek. I was forced never to tell was my eyes had seen that day. One Sunday, they had shut off the electric current of the fences. No one was aloud outside. I anyone dare to put even a foot outside was killed. Only one man was attempted. We were being bombed at one point in the day. My heart was filled with joy. I knew there was the posibility that I could die but that didn't matter as much then because the Germans would die too. No one died and the bomb was carried off. Death seemed to no longer bother me. That is until I saw a young boy struggle between life and death for a long time and finally dieing off.

Nate Todd: The wife: As I entered our new camp Buna all I could think was how barren it was, wasted, dead. A miserable place filled with poor miserable people. I stand around as hundreds of people labor all for the price of life and soup. Every night I receive a feast for the gods and when I finish I look around to see all the people eating horrible soup and stale bread. It seams that the soup is really all they live for beside their family. Being herehas really taken a huge toll on me emotionally and I don't know how long I can take it.

Apparently a Jewish boy saw a SS solider molesting a small girl and he plans to punish him in front of everyone. That danm soilder should be put to death hurting a little girl like that, scaring her forever. But I can't say anything or I will be brutally punished, or put to death, so I just keep my thoughts to my self.I walk with my husband to see this poor little boy being punished. The perverted officer was striking him with a whip multiple times. I counted twenty-five times. Not from the number of strikes i heard or the screams for the boy, cause there wasn't any, but from the flinches from an old man to the left of him. A man that seemed to be his father flinched and weeped a little every single time his son was whipped, twenty-five times I saw agony in the fifty-year-old man's eyes. And one went down mine. Bombs fell from american planes a few hours later. Everyone seemed to be scared and jumpy except for the Jews, they seemed to enjoy being attacked.

Rachel Monjesky, Elie: 10-15-08 I had to be examined by the SS doctors. I ran as fast as I possibly could, but the only thing in my mind was my father. After I had known I passed I went looking for him. He said he had also passed on threw. We later found out that he didn't. Luckily he passed the second examination. I then kept working hard until I had to get surgery on my foot. I was swollen from the cold. I was nervous as to trust my doctor in the surgery. During the sugery I had passed out and when I woke up I thought that I had no longer had a leg. I later found that I did it was just going to be awhile before I could walk. I was happy being in the hospital; no work, more food, and nice people. I later regreted it. We all were going to be evacuated, and my father and I were faced with a hard decsion; whether or not to stay in the hospital or to move on with the rest. We had choosen to go with the rest. As I was standing on my foot it hurt and bled so made that it left a puddle everywhere I had gone. We then marched on to our new home. We ran for what seemed like days and days. It was never ending that is until we finally stopped at a place where no man lived. My father and I had taken turns sleeping in a shed that way we would not be asleep forever. When then were awoken adn drug on to run again toward our new camp. When we finally arrived I was tackled by bodies, alive or dead who knows but I survived. I then heard Juliek play his violin, and I will never let myself forget that peaceful moment filled with his music. I found him dead the next day. We were taken on a train, and couple of days later they threw out all of the dead bodies. They tried to take my father, but I proved that he was still breathing. All around me men were dieing. We soon arrived at Buchenwald. My father and I being a couple of the few to get off the train. The rest were left there to die. While waiting for our showers my father was wanting to shut his eyes. I was fighting for his life and he didn't even realize that what he was doing was going to be the end for him. When I woke the next morning I searching for him only thinking of the worst. When I gave up, he was right behind me. My heart filled with joy knowing that he was alive for now. I was worried all the time about my father, unitl one day I was reminded where i was and had been for a long time I was to only think for myself. Only a few days later and i awokened without a father.I was soon a free man. Not but a few weeks but I was in the hospital with food posioning. The image I could never ever foreget is the look the man in the mirror gave back at me.

Julie Slaughter 10-16-08 Nazi Soldier #1: -Today was the last of the Jewish year. When offered their ration of soup none of them touched it. Am not full in the customs of the Jews, but I believe that they will not eat until after their prayer. I was watching as the heads were bowed in honor of their god. In some faces you could see the expression of misery; they were cursing their god for doing this to them. In other faces the expression of hope could be found. Suddenly someone started chanting, “Blessed be the Name of the Eternal.” Their god leaves them and still they cherish the ideas. They even fasted; not receiving the meager rations of the day. There is a lesson to be learned from these Jews. Just don’t ask me what. Nazi Soldier #2: -Selection. Choosing the strong from the weak. It’s what made Germany strong. It will never help these Jews out. That’s why they are an inferior race. They think like dogs there’s no reasoning in those small brains. Several weeks passed and all was going as planned until rumors were spread about the red army drawing nearer. This gave the scum hope.