A Memorable Passage

As we conclude our reading of Night, please respond thoughtfully to the final two-part writing prompt:

1. What do you believe to be the most memorable passage in Night? As you respond, first quote and cite the text using MLA form; for example, (Wiesel 58). Next, explain the context of the selected quotation. What is happening at that time in the memoir? Please express your feelings and new understandings while relating your comments back to the passage with a brief summary statement.


2. Writing Night earned Wiesel a Nobel Peace Prize in 1986. Why? What have you learned throughout this unit that can help make you a better person and the world a better place?

Spiritual Resistance and Faith

In the last series of discussions posts, you looked at how the Nazis sought to dehumanize their victims. Some Jews tried to oppose these brutal measures if only by showing some form of spiritual resistance as they had attempted to do in the ghettos. You may recall Eliezer’s dilemma as to whether he should fast on Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement.

Please reread that passage on pages 65-66 of Night and also consider an op-ed piece by Elie Wiesel that appeared in the New York Times on October 2, 1997. "A Prayer for the Days of Awe" was written around the time of the same holiday some 50 years later. You should then post your responses to the following question:

How did some Jews keep their faith in God; why did Elie turn away from God in the camps, and how, fifty years later, did Wiesel reveal his true feelings toward God?

2009 Holocaust Remembrance Project

Here is an excellent opportunity to further your understanding of the Holocaust and to be considered for an all-expense-paid trip to Chicago to visit the new Illinois Holocaust Memorial Museum.

The Holland Knight Charitable Foundation annually sponsors an essay contest. The writing prompt for the 2009 Holocaust Remembrance Project asks you to submit an essay of not more than 1200 words on the following topic:

(a) Analyze why it is vital that the remembrance, history and lessons of the Holocaust be passed to new generations; and

(b) Suggest what you, as students, can do to combat and prevent prejudice, discrimination and violence in our world today.

Details about the contest are available at Holland Knight Foundation Website. Entry deadline is April 30, 2009.

Please consider submitting an essay and best of luck!

Unanswered Questions

Has your reading of Night raised additional questions about the Holocaust? United States Holocaust Memorial Museum Teacher Fellow Honey Kern looks forward to joining the discussion. Please scroll down to the page bottom to view the most recent questions.

Resisting Dehumanization

Thank you to all students from Columbia Falls and Lakeview for your thoughtful comments and introductions on the blog! We also appreciate your excellent questions submitted to Mrs. Kern who has been providing very interesting and supplemental background for our study of Night and the Holocaust.

This week, we consider the topic of dehumanization. The Holocaust caused the Jews to lose their human rights, their dignity, and even their hope. What evidence in Night reveals the steps that led to this process and how were some Jews able to resist the effects of dehumanization?

Columbia Falls and Lakeview High Schools

Welcome to Columbia Falls High School! We are glad that you will once again be joining Lakeview High School students in the online discussion of Night. Please introduce yourself and tell us briefly about your prior knowledge of the Holocaust. Is there a Holocaust-related book that you have read and that you would recommend to others?

After your initial post to the blog, you should log on again in a day or two and respond to a comment shared by a student from the other high school. Please continue to log on and read/respond to postings every 2-3 days during our study of the book.