Yom Hashoah, Holocaust Remembrance Day, is coming up on April 27. The following Sunday, May 4th, we invite you to join the JCRC and the Greater Boston Community at the annual Holocaust Commemoration Ceremony at Faneuil Hall at 10:30am.
As we remember this dark part of our history, the question arises, how do we share what we’ve learned with the next generation. Eve Bunting’s children’s book Terrible Things: An Allegory of the Holocaust uses a fable to teach one particular lesson from the Holocaust. Terrible Things is inspired by this famous quote, attributed to Martin Niemöller, about how easy it is to turn a blind eye to oppression of others:
First they came for the Socialists, and I did not speak out– Because I was not a Socialist.
Then they came for the Trade Unionists, and I did not speak out– Because I was not a Trade Unionist.
Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out– Because I was not a Jew.
Then they came for me–and there was no one left to speak for me.
In Bunting’s book, birds, frogs, squirrels, and other animals are taken away one by one by the “Terrible Things”. For readers, this story opens a discussions about the role of a bystander in difficult circumstances, and helps us consider when to “speak out” in our own lives.
Ages: 8-10; Grades: 3-4
We hope to see you on May 4th (sign up here),
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