1. What scenes or images were most powerful for you, and why? What lessons or messages did these seems offer?

The most powerful scene in the documentary was when Kurt, an U.S army solider met Gerda. He approached her outside of the building and they spoke in German a little bit. She showed him the inside of the building where the bodies were scattered on the floor. It was a very devastating scene and Gerda quoted a line from a poem, which made Kurt very emotional. He could not believe that in the condition he found her that she could actually quote a poem that had an ironic meaning. This scene showed me that even though Gerda had been captured and tortured she still felt that there must be good in men. Kurt told her that he too was a Jew. And to Gerta he seemed God like.

2. How did the Nazis dehumanize Jews? How did Gerda Weissmann work to overcome dehumanization, who helped her?

Nazi’s dehumanized Jews by starving them, abusing them, taking their clothes and cutting their hair. Another way they dehumanized the Jews were by stripping them of their names and replacing them with a number tattooed on their arms. They were separated from their family members and feed poorly. They would take away anything that reminded them of their families or their stations in life. She overcame their attempts to dehumanize her by imagining herself free. And she remembered some of the things that her father told her. He made her feel that she would survive. One of the things that her father told her was to wear her ski shoes and that helped her keep her feet health where others were bleeding or infected. Another thing that her father told her was to never commit suicide because that was a coward way to die. He knew that would give her strength when things were very dark.

3. During her ordeal in the Nazi camps, Weissamann says she fantasized about enjoying a simple morning with her family or deciding what dress to wear to an imagined arty What simple things in your own life do you think you’d fantasize about if everything were taken away? What ordinary things do you think you take for granted?

Some of the things that I would fantasize about would be a big bowl of ice cream since I wouldn’t have had anything substantial to eat for a long time. Also, I would dream about shopping trips with my mom when she would buy me new outfit for a first day of school. Finally, I would fantasize about my family thanksgiving dinner where all my cousins come and we eat until we can’t eat anymore and just enjoy being together.

4.This film focuses on the persecution of Jews in the Holocaust, but others also were murdered, including society prisoners of war, Roma (gypsies), gays and lesbians, and communists. In what ways do you see persecution happening in today’s world? What groups do you see being targeted? What can be done to work against such prejudice and intolerance?

Although, the holocaust ended many years ago, there are still groups who discriminate Jews, Asian, African American, Muslims, gays and lesbians and handicap people and this goes on in our own countries. Hate crimes are reported every year in the United States. Maybe we did not learn enough from the Holocaust. In our country today, there is a lot of talk about illegal alliance, people who came to United States without papers. Hours is a country that was built in immigrants and now it seems like immigrants are being treated like criminals. Discrimination and hate can be found in many places around the world. As a matter effect, genocide is being practiced in some countries where one group of people wishes to wipeout another race in their own country. To help eliminate prejudice and intolerance we have to start young teaching children that different people all have something special to offer. And if we see somebody mistreating another because of their way they look or their religion we should not stand by but we should stand up.

5. In many ways, this film is about hope for the future. Who are the heroes of this film? What did they do that makes you hopeful? What can you do to help make the world a better place?

I believe that heroes of the films were Kurt and the other soldiers who librated the camp, Gerda, and her friends as well as Gerda’s father. The soldiers who saved Gerda and other survivors are the obvious choice because they were risking their lives to safe others. People they didn’t even know. Bur Gerda and her friends are also heroes because the thing that they said each other helped them to survive as long as they did, Gerda’s friend who died made sacrifice at the end of her life giving her the last potato. Gerda’s father was a hero because he gave Gerda a strong will to live which she offend had to rely on to get trough some terrible days. I feel like one thing I can do to make the world a better place is to control my own behavior, making sure that I am always kind and also stand up if someone is being bullied. It maybe a hard thing to do but it is important. You can see that no one stood up for the Jews and six million people died. 

marika #3

            While Marika’s family was trying to hide the fact that they were Jewish other parts of the world were dealing with the attacks from Hitler and the German armies.

During the beginning of the story Marika, Marika’s family began to hear about the unrest in Germany and how a man named Hitler was causing trouble for the Jews in Germany and Austria. At the same time, European countries, as well as The Unites States, also realized that Hitler was planning something evil. In June of 1939, President Roosevelt offered to have a meeting with other nations to try to prevent war. But on September 1^st 1939, Germany invaded Poland beginning WWII. The German’s had a half a million soldiers than Poland. Their weapons and aircrafts were superior. The German’s easily overtook much of Poland with in five days and surrounded the capital Warsaw. Soon, the capital of Poland fell to the Germans. The Polish people were not prepared to overcome the tremendous air power that Germany had. Britain and France realized that they could not convince Hitler to withdraw from Poland so they declared war on Germany.

Since Germany had defeated Poland, the USSR decided to take advantage of the situation and take back land that they had lost during WWI. They also attacked Finland for some land, and a base there. Germany put up with the USSR and planned on dealing with them later. Hitler was busy planning attacks on Britain and France.

When Marika’s family came back from their vacation in Vac, Marika’s father read in the Newspaper about the German’s attack on Poland. That we talked about in the above paragraphs. Marika did not want to face the bad news. She did not want to worry about the German’s coming to Budapest. Although her father was worried. 

Marika #2

The book I read was Annexed and the book that I am reading now is Marika. Both books deal with young people who are faced with serious adult issues. Peter Vanpel was a young teenager who was forced to go into hiding with his family leaving his friends and all his belongings behind.  In the book Marika, The main character is a young first grade girl who is learning about Hitler and the hatred of Jews.  Both of these young people had to change the way they lived. Instead of leaving a normal young life. Each of them, had to adapt to what was happening in the world.

            Peter Van Pel’s family thought that Holland would be a safer palace for Jew’s to live since Holland was Neutral during World War I. Marik’s family thought that changing to Roman Catholic would help them stay safe. Both families would find out that their attempts to keep their family safe were not enough.  Both families ended up having to hide as the German’s began to invade other countries.

            Peter and Marika have some similar personality traits. Both of them are very smart. As matter of fact, Marika could read chapter books even before she started first grade. Peter enjoyed reading romance novels as he dreamed about being reunited with his first love, Liese.  One way that they were different was that Peter was shy and blushed easily. And Marika was strong willed and stubborn. Since Peter was so shy, he spoke seldom, but Marika was talkative and often questioned authority.

One of the differences between Peter Vanpel’s family and Marika’s family is that Peter VanPel’s family was religious. Peter’s mother cried when Peter made her a menorah so they could celebrate Hanukkah, while they were in hiding. They expressed that perhaps they too would have miracle and be free again. However, Marika’s father states that religion is an old fashioned idea so it does not matter if they practice Judaism or any other religion so, they might as well practice Catholicism so they can fit in better during this difficult time. 

Marika #1

The book I am reading is Marika by Andrea Cheng.  The story takes place in Budapest Hungary. Markia’s family wishes to protect her so, all though she was born Maria (Marika) Schnurmacher, she and her family created a fake birth certificate stating that her religion was Catholic. That was a very important fact because of what was going on in the world. There was a Germen leader named Hitler who hated Jews. Marika did not quite understand why her father was always so worried. It seemed like Jews in Australia and Germany were having a very hard time but that was very far away from Budapest. Marika also did not understand why her family didn’t like their last name. Her uncle tries to explain to her that it was a Jewish name and they were pretending to be Roman Catholics.

            While on vacation at their summer home, Marika’s father put up a wall separating his living area and rest of their family. I think he did this to separate himself by the family, and perhaps he is looking to the future and feels that it might be a good hiding place.  Marika has been told that she should not use her hands when she talks because that is a Jewish ways of talking. She has also been told that it is a good thing that she has a small nose because no one would think she was Jewish.  She had a huge Christmas tree that was decorated with the beautiful stars and angels. Her father told her that religion was old fashioned and they might as well be like everyone else, Roman Catholics. I can see that the father is very worried for his family. Because of their Jewish heritage.  Although, the war has not been started yet, Marika’s father and uncle have been stories about their relatives in Austria getting beat up and dragged from the street. Her father knows that in this crazy time it is not a good thing to be Jewish.  

            All of this is very confusing for Marika who was only in first grade. Her behavior reflects this confusion and her father had to talk to her several times about being sensitive to her mother in this difficult time for their family. If I had to predict what might happen to Marika and her family, I would say that her father and uncle will find a way to hide the family if war breaks out and Budapest is not a save place for them.

blog Entry #2 (Annexed)

Peter seems to be adjusting to his new life. He manages to get out of bed now and get cleaned up, which are things he couldn't do before. You begin to see this happen when Peter and Anne put on the little play, imitating their parents. After the play they run up the steps to the attic room, fall to the floor where Peter notices the sky full of stars. This is the first time he is able to appreciate the life he does have.  He is happier, at least as happy as one could be under the circumstances. Another example of this adjustment is when Peter made a Menorah for Hanukah and everyone liked it. Maybe this new adjustment to the life his has now would not make him forget his girlfriend, Liese, but it makes it easier to get through each day. This made me wonder if peter would ever stop thinking or dreaming about Liese.

           

            I can infer that Peter and Anne are going to be a good friend. Even though Peter says Anne is annoying and selfish, he still thinks a lot about her and talks a lot about her. He sometimes has fun when he's around her and sometimes Anne makes Peter smile. He hasn't admitted that he is amused by her yet, but I think he will change his mind about her. I wonder how long it will take until they are friends? I wonder if it will be an event that brings them together or will it happen gradually

Blog Entry #1 (Annexed)

Peter Van Pel is the main character in this book. He is a teenage Jewish boy who is being forced to go into hiding with the Frank family. Peter is having a hard time adjusting to living and hiding. The Nazi’s are arresting all the Jews and taking them away.  They already took his girlfriend, Liese. Who was taken away in a van by the military. He chased the van but felt helpless because he could not help her. So far, in the book, Peter does not think he is lucky and he wants to fight against the Nazi’s. At the end of each chapter, Peter speaks about his life in the camp, so each chapter is a flashback to when he was in hiding with the Frank. Although, he never thought so, he knows now how lucky he was to have a place to hide, where he was warm, well feed and with his family.

Mr. and Mrs. Frank are the ones who arranged for the hiding place in the annex. Margo Frank is the Frank oldest daughter and she is hiding with them. Anne Frank is the youngest daughter whom peter dislikes, he thinks she is too self assured and cheerful. Moschi is Peter’s cat and Mutti (Peter’s mom) smuggled the cat in her hatbox so Peter would not be lonely in the annex.  Papi is his father.

            The annex is a very small hidden apartment in a factory. Peter’s room is so small, if he stretches his arms, he can touch the wall. The windows were all covered with dark shades except for the attic room. That is the only place where they can get some fresh air and sunlight. Those windows are not covered because they’re too high. Peter goes there for fresh air and to look outside at the sky. The kitchen is an area where both families eat and cook together. Most conversation takes place there.

Anne seems to always have a positive attitude, which annoys peter. Anne finally Convinces peter to have some fun. He dressed in his mom’s dress and she in her father’s clothes. They imitated their parents so well, everyone had a good laugh. Peter and Anne ran to the attic and noticed through their window that the sky was full of the stars and Peter was amazed.  It seems to want to “live” again. 

Flower Garden

In the story "Flower Garden" young Mrs. Winning has married into a well-respected family in the Vermont town. She wants to fix up the cottage with her husband, but that doesn't happen. Soon, a woman and her son move into the cottage. The woman, Mrs. McClane, fixes up the cabin just as Mrs. Winning had dreamed of doing. Mrs. Winning and Mrs. McClane become friends very quickly and their boys play together. Mrs. Winning sees that Mrs. McClane's son Davey treats her very nicely and she wishes that her boy and her husband would treat her that nicely, but that never happens. One day while they were in town together, the boys see a boy who was of mixed races and they call him names. Mrs.McClane becomes very upset and asks if he might work in her garden. The people of the town don't like this because the boy is half black. Mrs. Winning at first doesn't say anything about it and the garden grows very nicely. Later, she is mean to her friend and follows the town's disapproval. The garden now begins to look ugly (like Mrs. Winning's behavior). After a tree falls from Mrs. McClane's yard and they are having trouble removing it. She feels that the town's people are not kind to city people or any people who are different. 

In conclusion, I felt that the garden represented Mrs. Winning’s feeling toward Mrs. McClane and the black boy. As the town influenced Mrs. Winning’s feelings, she started to being meant to Mrs. McClane and the boy. That is when the garden started die. I think that is what garden represented Mrs. Winnings feeling for her intolerant. 

Query

            Hello, I’m YeonJae and I am going to present todays query. Mark Twain once said, “I didn’t have time to write a short letter, so I wrote a long one instead.” This made me think that a simpler life takes thoughtfulness and purposeful actions.  I think that Mark Twain thought it was easy to ramble on; writing anything that came to mind. However, it is much more work to write the simple but thoughtful letter. That takes purposeful action.  Anything in life can be made simple through work, thought, and time. 

            Simplicity in one’s home life, school life, and social life have a common thread, which I think is living in moderation with friendship always in mind. To adopt simplicity in all areas of your life, home and personal, as well as school life, you must use the testimony of simplicity to be your guide.

            Please notice the Quaker values in the video I am going to show you. http://www.values.com/inspirational-stories-tv-spots/66-Cafeteria

            In the video, one girl used purposeful actions to behave with kindness in welcoming the new girl.  It would have been easier for her to ignore the situation but in a simple way she made a difference in someone’s life. Perhaps, she was thinking how that might feel, being the new girl. She took the time to choose an action of kindness. This week’s query is, how do I achieve simplicity, moderation and honesty in all aspects of my home life, school life, and social life?

Simplicity Assignment

Read the simplicity packet. Choose an idea from the packet and write about it. Be sure to quote the article or passage you are referring to and make sure you cite your source.
3 paragraphs minimum.
Grammer and mechanics correct.
<3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3

Simplicity in writing is when you can focus on your thought and writing it on paper in a clear and concise way. You can explain it without getting off track. The article states that we all have the ability to do it and yet we still have trouble. One reason for that might be that we think we need to have more and sometimes in adding more, our focus wanders. Have you ever heard the expression "less is more"? That is what the author is talking about. Don't cloud the issue by adding more than you need to make your point.

The clutter of objects that we all collect also causes us to lose focus in their lives. Have you ever heard of the book " It's all too much"? The author of this book talks about how people have too much stuff in their lives. He says that it is all too much. All this stuff keeps us from having a focused and concise life. If you have a goal or a dream in life you have to clear away the things that keep us from clearing our heads and moving ahead.

I believe in being kind to all people. I believe we should respect all cultures and that it is important to learn about people and ask questions.  The reason why I think it is important to ask questions is because it is the only way to really get to know someone.

Last year, I watching a TV show called Undercover Boss. The CEO pretended to be applying for an entry-level job at a bagel shop that was part of a big chain. When he got to work the first day, he met a young assistant manager. The young man was cheerful and hardworking. Soon the undercover boss realizes what a hard worker the young assistant manger was. As he asked questions, he found out that the young man worked at least forty hours each week, went to college at night, and gave his mother some of his money. At the same time the undercover boss, was having some difficulty learning all the skills of baking, serving and working the computerized cash register. Even when undercover boss burnt the cookies and spilled coffee on the counter, the young man never lost his temper. He was kind and not critical about all the mistakes that were made that first day.

When the Undercover Boss finally told the young man that he was the CEO of the company and that he appreciated the kindness that the young man showed him, during the first day of work the young manager was surprised. He also appreciated the hard work the young man exhibited daily as well as the kindness that he showed to his mother. To reward the young man the CEO gave him a scholarship to finish school. That TV show reminded me about being kind even to the new guy who does not know how to do anything and makes lots of mistakes.

The young man had no idea that this new employee was really the CEO of the company, but showed him kindness and patience. The CEO learned so much about the young man by asking questions.  He had a great deal of respect for the young man after only one day.

I think back to the time in my life, 4^th grade, when I first came to Newtown Friends and this country. People in my class were so kind to me and helpful that first week of school. Their kindness made that first week so much easier for me. I still think about it today and that’s why I believe that being kind to others, no matter who they are, can make a difference in someone’s life as it did in mine.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iJU9In32KlI