Yad Vashem\u2014
The World Holocaust Remembrance Center<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
The Righteous Among The Nations<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n Jehovah\u2019s Witnesses are included among those who risked their lives during the Holocaust to save Jews from extermination by the Nazis.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The Gumz Family<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n Categories of prisoners \u2014 Jehovah\u2019s Witnesses<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n Aside from brief mentions, the literature on the history of Auschwitz Concentration Camp does not take into account Jehovah\u2019s Witnesses (referred to in the camp records as Bible Researchers) who were imprisoned because of their religious convictions. These prisoners deserve closer attention because of the way they managed to hold on to their moral principles under camp conditions. This was a result of their religious convictions, based on the Bible and on opposition to all forms of violence.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Mini-Dictionary \u2014 Jehovah\u2019s Witnesses<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n Almost 400 Jehovah\u2019s Witnesses were incarcerated in Auschwitz.<\/p>\n\n\n\n “Imprisoned for Their Faith. Jehovah\u2019s Witnesses in KL Auschwitz” by Teresa Wontor-Cichy, Research Center<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n This book is the first attempt at a thorough study of Jehovah\u2019s Witnesses in Auschwitz.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Imprisoned for Their Faith\u2014The Jehovah\u2019s Witnesses Versus Nazism<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n A temporary exhibition on Jehovah\u2019s Witnesses who were victims of Nazi persecution from 1933 to 1945, with emphasis on the history of Auschwitz.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Stolen lives in Auschwitz. Jehovah\u2019s Witnesses<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n Historical Notes, February 22, 2018<\/strong> In Spanish: Award-winning 30-minute documentary film by Jonathan Lewis<\/a> looks at the Nazi persecution of Jehovah’s Witnesses through the eyes of a young schoolgirl. Based on the book “Facing the Lion: Memoirs of a Young Girl in Nazi Europe” by Simone Arnold Liebster.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Designed for Grades 9-12. (Teachers may find the lesson applicable and suitable for Grade 8.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n 30-minute testimony of Franz Wohlfahrt<\/a> includes downloadable video, modular lessons, student activities, discussion questions, glossary, and biography. Explores themes such as resistance, responsibility, courage, and faith.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Read the transcript for testimony of Franz Wohlfahrt<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n Created to assist educators of students age 14 and up, this Segment contains excerpts of the testimony of Simone Maria Liebster, accompanied by a written summary.<\/p>\n\n\n\n View or download video clips from interview with Simone Maria Liebster and download written summary of “Facing Persecution as a Jehovah’s Witness”<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n Nazi Persecution: 1933-1945<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n In addition to singling out Jews for complete annihilation, the Nazis targeted for discrimination and persecution, anyone they believed threatened their ideal of a \u2018pure Aryan race\u2019. Jehovah\u2019s Witnesses were also targeted for persecution.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Jehovah\u2019s Witnesses<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n Simone Arnold Liebster<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n Excerpts of US Army film of Nuremberg Trials, \u201cPersecution of Religious and Other Victim Groups at Nuremberg,\u201d January 8, 1946, in which US prosecutor cites proof of the Nazi persecution of the \u201cBibelforscher,\u201d or Jehovah\u2019s Witnesses. (9 minutes)<\/p>\n\n\n\n Persecution of Religious and Other Victim Groups at Nuremberg<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n With the Nazi reign of terror as a backdrop, “The Flag and Freedom” describes two landmark US Supreme Court cases involving Jehovah’s Witness students and the flag salute.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Jolene Chu and Donna P. Couper, \u201cThe Flag and Freedom,\u201d Social Education<\/em>, the flagship journal of National Council for the Social Studies, www.socialstudies.org<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Download “The Flag and Freedom”<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n Jehovah’s Witnesses: Victims of the Nazi Era<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n Information and links for students to resources including photos, primary documents, and videos of public programs about Jehovah’s Witnesses.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Jehovah’s Witnesses: Victims of the Nazi Era 1933 – 1945 (booklet)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n This downloadable booklet is available from the United States Holocaust Museum Teacher’s Resource Center and is part of their “Other Victim” series.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Jehovah\u2019s Witnesses: Identification Cards<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n Each card provides a biographical sketch, the individual\u2019s experiences from 1933 to 1939, events during the war, and the fate of the individual.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Resistance During The Holocaust (booklet)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n This downloadable booklet has information about Jehovah’s Witnesses on page 39, paragraph 2; on page 42, paragraphs 3-5; and chronology on page 46.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Music of the Holocaust: Concentration Camp Songs<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n Erich Frost, a musician and Jehovah’s Witness, was arrested for smuggling pamphlets from Switzerland to Germany and imprisoned in Sachsenhausen concentration camp. In 1942 he composed Fest steht, which was later reworked in English as Forward, You Witnesses. This performance in German took place under Frost’s direction at an event in Wiesbaden, Germany, during the 1960’s. Simone Arnold Liebster sings the English version of the song.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The Nazi Persecution of Jehovah’s Witnesses: The Kusserow Collection<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n United States Holocaust Memorial Museum curator Suzy Snyder discusses materials, including photographs and letters, that were donated to the Museum by members of the Kusserow family. (See Purple Triangles DVD)<\/a> (?) <\/p>\n\n\n\n What Did Faith Communities Stand For? Doctrine and Deed in Nazi Europe<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n On November 16, 2017, the Museum hosted a discussion about the rise of National Socialism in Germany and the ensuing terror raised profound theological and ethical questions for people of all faiths. While some religious leaders openly supported the Nazi regime, others refused allegiance to the party or defied the laws and sheltered victims of state-sanctioned hate, even if it meant risking arrest and ultimately, their lives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Examine how different faith communities, including Jehovah\u2019s Witnesses, Protestants, and Catholics, reacted in the face of the challenges then \u2014 and the questions the history poses today.<\/p>\n\n\n\n NOTE: Due to technical difficulties at the Museum the video begins at 16:28.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Mosaic \u2014 Victims of Nazi Persecution<\/p>\n\n\n\n Teaching resources on Persecution of Jehovah\u2019s Witnesses include Poster, Biography, Historical overview, and Guidance notes about Magdalena Kusserow and her family. One of 11 children, every member of her family became a victim of the Nazis apart from a brother who died before the war. Magdalena was arrested in 1941 when she was 17 and held in a juvenile prison until she was 18. Magdalena then refused to sign a statement renouncing her faith and was sent to Ravensbr\u00fcck in 1942 until she was liberated in 1945.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Requires login to access free resources.Auschwitz\u2014Birkenau Memorial And Museum<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Auschwitz Exhibition<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Jehovah\u2019s Witnesses were subjected to intense persecution under the Nazi regime.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Vidas robadas. Los Testigos de Jehov\u00e1<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n“The Schoolgirl, The Nazis And The Purple Triangles”<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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\n\n\n\nUSC Shoah Foundation Institute for Visual History and Education<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Living Histories<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Segments for the Classroom: Facing Persecution as a Jehovah\u2019s Witness<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\nHolocaust Memorial Day Trust<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\nThe Steven Spielberg Film and Video Archive at the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\nThe Flag and Freedom<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\nUnited States Holocaust Memorial Museum<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\nHolocaust Educational Trust<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Located at: Education \/ Teaching Resources \/ Resources for post-16 \/ Lesson Plans and Resources<\/p>\n\n\n\nMusic And The Holocaust<\/h3>\n\n\n\n