Jeff's Post #3

Dear Elie,

            After I finished your book I found myself unable to do anything, but sit quietly and think.  Think about the Holocaust, your story, the world, and myself.  I firmly believe in the saying everything happens for a reason.  So why, I wonder, did the Holocaust take place?  Humans have not learned their lesson, and frankly I do not think they ever will.  A few years ago I read a book called A Long Way Gone. It is a story about a child soldier in the Sierra Leone civil war.  The protagonist becomes a witness of modern day genocide, and he is forced to carry on alone after his family is slaughtered.  This war took place during the 1990’s.  This really shook me, because these things happened in my lifetime.  We have such a sheltered life here in America that we forget about the world’s poverty, war, and genocide.  Why is it that no one knows or cares about these terrible things?  I don’t think there is one correct answer, but I do believe that people are selfish.  One only has to read about the scene in the cattle cars when you say, “In the wagon where the bread had landed, a battle had ensued.  Men were hurling themselves against one another, trampling, tearing at and mauling each other” (Wiesel 101).  Selfishness is one of human beings worst traits; if we were never selfish would the holocaust have happened?  No, of course not, people wouldn’t have stood for it.  To prevent something like the holocaust from happening again, we must overcome our selfishness and lookout for our fellow humans.

            Through all of your books horrors, the only thing that gave me hope for society was you Elie.  No matter how much you were suffering, you always cared about you fellow humans.  When you were leaving Gleiwitz you did one of the bravest things imaginable during a selection.  “The SS officers were doing selection: the weak, to the left; those who walked well to the right.  My father was sent to the left. I ran after him” (Wiesel 96).  With total disregard for your own life, you followed your father, because you knew he couldn’t live without you.  The confusion that you caused allowed you and your father to switch to the good side, and that make me smile.  They say what goes around comes around, and your selfless actions helped you and your father survive that selection.  I figured that if a boy my age could be so courageous in the face of danger, then humanity must be good deep down.  Thank you for sharing your story Elie; you have taught me so much is such a short book.  I’m sure that if every single person was able to read this book, the world would be a much better place.

Sincerely,

Jeffrey Scott    

Nate Brown #3

Dear Elie Wiesel,

            As I read the last the last section of your book, I often times touch upon quotes that are so powerful and moving that they caused me to once again put down the book and think about what I just read. I still can’t believe after the first two sections, that you and your father made it through the selection, and the hard labor in your block. Once I read the third section, I was in total disbelief and shock when you told about you and your father. You talked about how you and your father both saw the “negative sides” of human nature. A perfect example of this would be when you describe how the boy killed his father for just a slice of bread crust. “Meir, my little meir! Don’t you recognize me… You’re killing your father… I have bread… for you… for you” (Wiesel 101). This was such a powerful quote, it shows how every human when forced under catastrophic conditions, will kill anyone to survive, even the one that brought them into the world. I thought that this brought out the negative sides of human nature very well. It was probably unbearable for you to watch I’m sure. And not to far earlier, you saw the Rabbi looking for his son who you saw porously abandon him. For all of these things to be seen through the eyes of a 16-year-old adds to the impact on everyone of my generation because we can totally relate to it. It’s totally different to say that you would never hurt any of your family members to “get ahead and survive” and to actually do it. You tried your best and committed to staying with your father and by his side until his dying day. You couldn’t save him, but I’m almost 100 percent certain that I don’t have the mental and physical strength to do what you did. If he didn’t develop the mentally crippling disease that he got, he would have been proud. It’s clear that other kids your age collapsed in and couldn’t take the “burden” of their fathers any more.

            It seems as if this book was made to signify and remember that humans do indeed have a dark side of them that they will bring out from feeling terror, hunger, a struggle for survival, or even because they simply have a thirst to quench their inner void within their heart. A brilliant example of this would be when you described how two years later, after the Holocaust, you saw this women throwing coins to two children who fought to death over them. You bitterly described: “An elegant Parisian lady took great pleasure in this game. When I noticed two children desperately fighting in the water, one trying to strangle the other, I implored the lady: ‘Please, don’t throw any more coins!’ ‘Why not?’ she said. ‘I like giving to charity” (Wiesel 100). I’m sure at this time you wanted to strangle her and had the same feeling you did when the SS officer called everyone a bunch of good for nothing lazy crew. You, as I realized today, saw the negative signs of human nature and it taught me a life lesson. ALL humans have an evil side and this book will be one that I remember for the rest of my life.

From,

Nate Brown

Keriden's Post #3

Dear Readers,

Even though the Holocaust affected millions the elements that are remembered the most regard the little things. For instance as Elie gave his father the cup of coffee he desired Elie, “…shall never forget the gratitude that shone in his eyes when he swallowed…” (106). As small as an emotion from a gaze is, it can be even more powerful than anything else. The gaze marked the first and last time Elie witnessed his father satisfied since he had grown ill. Moments added up together equal the memories of a human.  My family has recently suffered a loss and it made me think of the moments we shared together. How I only wish there was more I could reflect upon. It is the moments fond or otherwise that brings the ones you love closer to you. Had Elie not been with his father that long, one can only wonder how could he have hung on to life? Although, the last memories of being with his father was living Hell, they had one another. Elie surely endured much pain and suffering but I do not believe he could have done it if his father had not been along for the journey. On the train when his father did not respond to his calls to Elie, “…there was no longer a reason to live, any reason to fight” (99). Elie has that horrific experience that he endured along with his father to reflect upon and recognize that he is strong enough to pull through what the rest of life has in store for him, because nothing shall compare nor alter memories of happiness or despair. It is a part of human nature to remember moments, whether of happiness or tragedy. It hurts to recollect upon tragedies or bad experiences, however it makes an individual stronger.

Whether it be as large as an event or as small as a gaze in someone’s eyes there are so many components of life that are forever engraved in the mind of an individual. Last year I took a trip to Washington D.C., where I visited the Holocaust Memorial Museum. The object that stood out the most from all the exhibits was not the captivating yet disturbing photos, but rather the shoes. Piled up by the hundreds lay shoes of the prisoners, the smell of fire still lingered in the room along with the memories of the people who’s innocent lives were taken but never forgotten. The collection gives a perspective as a whole to who the tragedy affected, more so than a picture can capture. There were shoes big and little, but together they unified the victims not by religion or nationality, but how they suffered and how their memories shall live on. Visiting the museum and reading of Elie’s story of survival are among the many moments I will never forget.  We all have these moments of thought and reflection, what are some of yours?

Lastly, to Elie Wiesel I say thank you. Thank you for sharing your moments of confusion, desire and suffering. Even though I still and will never understand the mindset of the oppressors, there are many lessons I have learned from your story. One of them being, some things are meant to be treasured, and no matter how difficult it is some components are meant to be forgotten.  

Sincerely,

Keriden Harrington

Timmy's Post #3

Dear Elie Wiesel,

      As I conclude your novel, Night, I sit back and think about the title.  Your title choice intrigues me as I think of the word night.  Your introduction in the “never shall I forget” passage, kept me thinking throughout the entire novel.  Night is mentioned as you say, “Never shall I forget that night, the first night in camp, that turned my life into one long night seven times sealed” (Wiesel 34).  Literally, night is the period of time between sunset and sun rise in the 24 hour cycle.  One word always comes to mind, darkness.  During your experience at the concentration camps you experienced darkness in many forms.  You face physical darkness, mental darkness within yourself, and darkness within human nature.  The Holocaust was one long night; a real nightmare that changed and altered humanity forever.
      Physically, the darkness that you persevered through gives one the inspiration to accomplish and take on any challenge.  As you are moved from camp to camp, you see darkness strangling the world around you.  Normally, when one is stuck, they are rescued by light.  Ironically, the only physical light that is constantly present is fire.  However, fire is correlated with fear, directly related to death and horror.  You witnessed the fire that the Nazis used to burn innocent children as you entered the camp.  You describe the scene as you say, “Never shall I forget the small faces of the children whose bodies I saw transformed into smoke under a silent sky. Never shall I forget those flames that consumed my faith forever” (Wiesel 34).  Even more terrifying, fire is the tool of murder used in the crematoria, where many faced their death.  Physically, you were better off being trapped in darkness than within the light of the fire.  Do you agree?
     As you lose touch with God, your vanishing faith causes you to witness darkness within yourself.  Your struggle to maintain a relationship with God darkens your world.  Initially, you prove yourself to be a faithful Jew, one who had a close relationship with God.  As a strong believer, you had faith and courage to take on the world.  However, through the destruction of the world around you, you lose hope, faith and communication with God.  As your soul is darkened, you find yourself trapped.  In the end, you were able to wake up from ‘the nightmare’ and realize that, “The look in his eyes as he gazed at me has never left me” (Wiesel 115).  Although, you have been traumatized and scared for life, you realized that you are still you.  By saying this, you not only prove yourself to be a powerful and courageous individual but also one who has reconnected with his faith.  Looking into the mirror, what did you see differently? 
     As one observes the Holocaust and your memoir, one can analyze and see the darkness that is embedded into humanity.  Often in life, we let the ‘id’ within us take control because of the world around us.  Humans are more influenced by nurture rather than nature because we are followers.  There are only a few humans who step up to the plate to become a leader.  As Hitler became leader, through persuasion and humanity’s inability to decipher between right in wrong in times of fear, he immorally attempted to eliminate Jews.  Humans let the Nazi party take control.  However, they should have stood up for what was right.  Often, night is taken advantage of by humans.  Crimes, murders and actions that one doesn’t want others to see are completed at night.  However, with people like you, night is able to restore peace within the world.  I would like to personally thank you for the work you have done to make our world a safer and more peaceful place.  You are a true hero.

Sincerely,

Timothy Salit

Destiny Post 3

Dear Readers As I reach the end of the novel I am at loss for words. Who am I to have the right to talk about such horrific events, without ever really witnessing it or even living it."Pressed tightly againest one another, in an effort to resist the cold, our heads heavy and empty, our brainwashing whirlwind of decaying memories. Our minds numb with indifference. Here or elsewhere, what did it matter? Die today or tomorrow, or later?" (Wiesel, 98) The men in this story had been through so much it was indifferent to them what happened or if they died now. Most now feared nothing, for they had lost so much, and so many things of importance they no longer have anything to fear. "We were masters of nature, the masters of the world. We had transcended everything death, fatigue, our natural needs. We were stronger than cold and hunger, stronger than guns and the desire to die." (Weisel, 87) We as humans have proved ourselves time and time again unfit to past the challenge of whether to be innately good, or entirely evil turning to our primitive state in nature. Whether its looking for a scapegoat to blame the worlds problems on, or fighting for your own survival, we turn to our evil and most negative side in nature. "Beast of prey unleashed, animal hats in their eyes an extraordinary vitality possessed them sharpening their teeth and nails." Upon reading Elie Weisel's Night I am forced to think, how do I live my life? Do I cherish every moment thanking God for allowing me to live? Or do I take advantage as each day passes? As I learned from Weisel not only should you live each day like your last but, cherish what and who you have to share your life with. "A terrible thought crossed my mind: what if he had wanted to be rid of his father. He had felt his father growing weaker and believing the end was near, had thought by this seperation to free himself of a burden that could diminish his own chance of survival...and in spite of myself, a prayer formed inside me, a prayer to a God in whom I no longer believed. Oh God, master of the universe, give me strength never to do what Rabbi Eliahu's son has done." (Weisel, 91) In even the most perfect world, we cannot force ourselves to change who we truely are, whomever you are? The question is who do you want to be? Sincerely, Destiny Welshman

Keriden's Post #2

I am no longer, a name but just a number. I had been stripped of my identity and the only thing I have left to remind me of it is my father.  I long for the day to wake up from this nightmare, when that will be is undetectable. “Surely it was a dream.” (37). I can only hope that my mother and sister are in a better place now, “…we would have liked to believe that” (46). I do not know who or what to believe in anymore.

A lot of the people turn to God for help. But, I can only feel as though God is the one responsible for this. If it were not for Him we would not be here. The reason we are here is for the beliefs we have in Him and His teachings and the stories. As the holidays pass by they act as a reminder. While there are those who pray I wonder where God’s presence on earth is. That was until I saw that child being hanged, he was the representation he suffered slowly due to his small weight but his pain was even difficult for the SS Officers to bare and watch. At that time even, “the Lagerkapo refused to act as executioner” (64). An image as harsh as that can only come from significant power. Many say that faith helps them along in tough times. But, they must ask themselves how did we get here in the first place? I can only play the blame game as Hitler did to us. It is only human to escape the blame but there is no other reason, because we are innocent. Even the SS officers felt guilt as that little boy hung there waiting. Of course I recognize the fact that maybe some people are part monster, but since it was even difficult for the officers to observe truly shows that they are human as well. As they tipped that chair and looked the boy in the eyes, did they think of their children? After all, they were men with families, lives and dreams, just like the prisoners who occupied the camp.

-Elie Wiesel

Destiny Response 2

Dear Mom I Don't know where u r right now if your even still alive; but I don't know where elseto turn to. Each day gets worse here in the camp as each day passes more people are hanged killed or just die from starvation. At least I'm still with Dad I miss u so much and I'm scared. I got moved into another block with a much harder job and I am always afraid if the conseqeunce of not passing the selection. But last one me and dad both did. Sometimes I just feel nothing I'm so used to the pain. I'm sorry for writing you a depressing letter I just don't know where else to turn Love you mom ELIE

Nate Brown 2

Dear readers,

            As I venture forward in the book reading about the history of Elie Wiesel and his journey, I continue to see a declining pattern with the mental strength that Elie amazingly still has. I do how ever see a difference in the actions that he takes than from before. It could be from the fact that he and his father were separated into different blocks. Or it could be from the constant disbelief that he or the people that he meets will live another day. DO you see any patters or differences between the new and old Elie? When I read that Elie and his Dad were going to be separated for possibly ever, made me choke and almost tear up. I couldn’t imagine leaving my mother and sibling in a concentration camp, knowing that people are killed everyday and not knowing if it might be them that are killed. Having all of my possessions including my name taken away from me. Then building up a huge connection for the last family member I had, just to have them taken away as well would be emotionally crippling to me. But of course Elie gets through it and continues with his struggle to survive. It seamed however that Elie expressed slim to no emotions when he recorded that we was separated from his father when plainly he says “I was no longer in the same block as my father. They had transferred me to another Kommando, the construction one, where twelve hours a day I hauled heavy slabs of stone” (Wiesel 70) I appears as if he had loss his soul in a way that makes him care about only himself (“My dad was torn away from me…. we had to do backbreaking work”). Throughout the entire book I’ve felt nothing but the contrasting emotions of both sympathy and hatred. This would be a great example of how you can see why I would feel the two different ways I do. How do you feel when reading this? The same way I do, or differently?

            Towards the end of the next section of reading, it appeared as if all of the prisoners of the camp in way started to form a family, to unite as one voice, power, and struggle. This becomes especially evident when “The Selection” occurs at the camp. Both the young and the old came together and treated each other as if they were both made of the same blood and bone. Elie socializes with the other kids his age and they both decide that it’d be best if they stuck together and looked out for one another. It was inspiring to read when Elie remembers that two brothers, Tibbi and Yossi “…came to urge me: ‘Lets stay together. It will make us stronger” (Wiesel 71) I couldn’t believe this when I read it. At a time of mass confusion, murder, nervousness and selfishness the complete opposite happens of what I’m sure you and I both thought. I figured that the people in the same block as Elie would throw one another back just to get ahead but I couldn’t have been more wrong. Did you think the same way I did? I certainly couldn’t believe it. After the selection, all three of the boys survived and congratulated each other in a way that teammates would after a race. This to me showed that the Nazis tried to do as much damage to these people that they could, and yet the spirit and mental strength that these prisoners seem to be able to hang to is more than enough and they still create relationships that would get them through the so called “Hell on Earth”. Obviously nobody could say that they went like something like he did, but has there ever been a struggle in your life that you though that you couldn’t over come, yet when you stuck with another person, the unbearable obstacle seemed to simmer down to just a small issue? If so, what was it?

By, 

Nate Brown

           

Jeff's Second Post

Dear Reader,

            Before I started reading Night, I thought that I knew most of what there is to know about the Holocaust.  However, every page I read teaches me something new about the struggles of Jews during the Holocaust, as well as things about human beings I never knew, or simply was unable to comprehend.  As Elie Wiesel is incorporated into the work camps, he and his fellow prisoners are de-humanized by their oppressors.  They are all tattooed with numbers and from that point on they are only known by their number.  Wiesel describes the event saying, “I became A-7713. From then on, I had no other name” (Wiesel 42).   This reminds me of how ranchers used to brand their cattle with numbers so they knew who owned each cow.  How could anyone treat another human being like that, like cattle?  For as long as I can remember, I have been taught to treat others like I would like to be treated.  I understand that the S.S. officers had been exposed to Anti-Jew propaganda for years, but even today people are exposed to such propaganda.  For example, since the attacks on 9/11 Muslims have been looked down upon by large numbers of Americans.  Sure, bad things have happened as a result of the attacks, but America has not decided to exterminate the World’s Muslim population.  So what makes modern America different from Nazi Germany?   In my opinion the leaders of the country determine which course of action will be taken.  Tragically, I don’t believe many of the people who carried out atrocities against Jews wanted to do what they were doing, but a few of the maniacs that held positions of power ordered them to do these awful things.  In a way I consider these “forced followers” victims as well.  They had to live with what they did for the rest of their lives, and in my opinion that is the worst punishment anyone could endure. 

            I wish I was more like Elie in the sense that he has very little resentment towards the people that made his life Hell.  Looking back at myself, I get mad at people for doing seemingly insignificant things.  While I hold against my sister because she touches my stuff, Elie is able to forgive the people who enslaved him and murdered his family.  If there is one lesson we can all that from this book, it is that if Wiesel can forgive the Germans, we have no right to be angry about minor issues.  I hope you learn as much from this book as I already have.

Sincerely,

Jeff Scott

Timmy's Post #2

Dear Readers,

As I continue to read Night, I begin to grasp a deeper understanding of the horrific treatment of Jews during the Holocaust.  I could never imagine enduring the physical and mental pain that these innocent humans experienced.  I’ve witnessed the dehumanization of the Jews by the Nazis.  The Jews’ world was rapidly changed when they were forced into concentration camps.  One can sense the destruction of Eliezer’s inner being, “My soul had been invaded- and devoured- by a black flame” (Wiesel 37).  His soul, including both his spiritual and emotional selves, has been ripped out by Hitler and his people.  Eliezer feels empty inside, he is just a body with limbs.  Despite the fact that a soul is immortal, it can vanish from one’s body leaving one with dead or devilish disposition.  This process reminds me of when a Christian commits a sin.  This person is haunted by guilt resulting from his wrong doing.  Fortunately for Christians, the soul can be cleansed through the sacrament of Penance.  By seeking and receiving God’s forgiveness at confession, a Christian can have a ‘clean’ soul again.  However, this is not the case of Eliezer who is Jewish.  The Jewish practice does not recognize the sacrament of Penance; though, they do believe in a God who can help them overcome obstacles in life.  Unfortunately, during the Holocaust, Jews were stripped of their religious activities which made it nearly impossible to revive their souls.  Therefore, they were forced to face hardship with little hope that God was supporting them.  This must have been so lonely and scary.  Human’s often can’t persevere in times of fear.  When we are scared, we lose self confidence and we let stronger negative forces control us.  Eliezer is losing his soul as time moves forward.  However, as we continue to read we can see that his soul is still present; he experiences emotions of sadness about the passing of his mother and sister, and vulnerability regarding his father’s weak condition. 

Eliezer began to lose his soul when the Nazis took away his name and referred to him as a number.  Eliezer “became A-7713. From then on, [he] had no other name” (Wiesel 42).  He lost his identity as a human when he was no longer referred to as the name given to him at birth, Eliezer Wiesel.  This name provides an identification that was chosen by the most important figures in his life, his mother and father.  One’s name goes much deeper than the letters that spell it and the sounds it makes; it is often filled with rich family history, heritage and tradition.  For example, my birth name, Timothy Michael Salit, has roots from both my maternal and paternal history.  Two of my mother’s brothers are named Timothy and Michael.  Additionally, I carry on the Jewish name, Salit.  I am proud and honored to be addressed by all three of these names.  Also, my first and middle names distinguish me from my two brothers.  Without these distinct names I am just another ‘Salit’.  However, I am more than just a ‘Salit’; I am Timothy Michael Salit, not Brian Patrick or Matthew James.   What does a name mean to you?  A-7713 is not a name; rather, it is a number.  The Nazis treated the Jews as if they were numbers, not human beings with feelings.  It didn’t matter if one was broken or dead because they would all eventually have no life left and be replaceable by others.  This dehumanizing policy and philosophy was carried out throughout the Holocaust.  How could SS Officers ever imagine what they were doing is just?

Nobody will ever be able to justify the cruelty of the Nazis.  Also, nobody will be able to understand the pain and suffering that the Jews went through.  How could the Nazis do this to the Jews?  Eliezer determination and perseverance is a great role model for people who are outnumbered by negative forces.  He demonstrates the power of one.  Whether he knew it and or believed it, I believe that God was supporting him through this tumultuous experience.  Do you believe? 

Happy Readings,

Timmy         

Destiny Welshman response one

Dear Elie Wiesel,
           At first I was extremely excited upon reading this novel, I have always been severely interested in the Holocaust and Nazi Germany. But, now after reading the first pages of your story I am completely in a shock and heart broken. Upon first opening the novel and coming to terms with the Preface I immediately felt connected to this story with aching mind and a heavy heart. On the first pages in which your story begins Moishe the Beadle "had mastered the art of rendering himself insignificant and invisible." I am not the most talented or smart person, and I am far from perfect. One art I do master is that of silence. I do not,as some may put it, fit in at school. Whether its sitting in English or being isolated in gym.
 Your Preface is one of the things that struck me most in the beginning of the novel. I am in a lost of words for what you had to go through, and everyone else for that matter. What hurts the most is, after millions of  babies, families, and fellow humans being killed, we still turn to our most evil, and primitive state. The question is;  do we choose to or is it a sub conscience act? From the Holocaust, we still see the worst of the worst in people, from 9/11 to Sandy Hook elementary school where 26 children were brutally murdered, and a mother by her own son. Sometimes, one's mind becomes incapable to understand what really happened or how can someone like me do something like that? We all think it but I wonder; Who really is more dominant our "good" side or our "bad"? I think it's up to us.
I appreciate you taking the time to write this novel and go through the painstaking emotional toll on yourself to open millions of people's eyes to what is wrong with society and ourselves.
With deep sorrow and hope,
Destiny Welshman

Jeff's First Post

Dear Elie,

            Before I started reading your book I was skeptical that I would connect with you or your situation.  I am not Jewish or Hungarian and you grew up seventy years ago.  As I learned more about you and your family I was shocked to learn that we do have things in common.  First of all, we each come from a family with four children.  Just like you, I am the third born with two older sisters and one younger sister.  Even though we grew up in different generations and I cannot relate to what you went through, I feel we think the same way.  I am glad your book allows the reader to know what you were thinking, because whenever you came across a conflict the way you reacted was the way I feel I would have reacted.  One example of this is when you asked your father to move to Palestine.  I have often thought about what I would have done if I was a Jew during this time, and time and time again I say I would have fled.  However, I realize that no one, including yourself, could have realized just how bad the Holocaust would be.  I also know that it would have been extremely hard for you and your family to just pack up and leave.  Another instance when I feel we were thinking the same thing is when you and your father were being marched towards the crematorium.  I know I could not just allow myself to be slowly burned alive.  If I had to die I would want to die on my own accord, just like you when you were about to ran at the electric fence.   How did a boy like you, young and innocent, have the strength to go through so much pain?  In my opinion, I do not think that anyone can really understand the answer to that question unless they were actually there.

            After reading the first thirty pages of your book, my opinion on humanity has been changed multiple times.  You can look at it from one side and say humanity is terrible for what the Germans did to you and your family.  Such atrocities seem to be impossible to commit, but we only feel this way because we do not want to come to grips with the fact that humans are capable of doing something so appalling.  Do you agree?  You were witnessing these atrocities first hand but you were still in disbelief saying, “I pinched myself.  Was I still alive?  Was I awake?  How was it possible that men, women, and children were being burned and the world kept silent?” (Wiesel 32).  However, one seemingly insignificant conversation between you and another inmate gave me hope in humanity.  “’Hey kid, how old are you?’ The man interrogating me was an inmate.  I could not see his face, but his voice was weary and warm” (Wiesel 30).  You didn’t know it at the time, but that man saved both you and your father’s life.  Had the Germans had heard him telling you this advice, he would have almost certainly have been killed.  Despite the danger, he did what he knew was right and he gave the information you needed to survive.  If you could see that man again what would you tell him?  Do you believe humanity is all evil?  I am excited to continue reading your story.

Sincerely,

Jeff Scott 

Keriden's Post #1

Dear Elie Wiesel,

                The first part of your novel is emotionally outstanding and leaves me with many questions of how you kept going. Mentally I cannot even wrap my head around the pain you endured, and yet you continued through your treacherous journey. The realization of that happening to anyone is unimaginable; one day living life as a normal routine, then the next day being abruptly taken from your home to an unknown destination. Prior to boarding the train you and the others had never “heard that name” Auschwitz (27). Clearly, to be taken off guard is one item, but what you and all the others family faced is inconceivable. Aboard the train it was cramped and there was barely any food. It makes me wonder how much can one person endure? There is only so much before all faith is lost and you have to give up. Sure, I have experienced loss and pain, but I have never been surrounded by it 24/7. My heart sank as you recalled the children entering the flames. I was not even there and the image became branded in my mind. How does one erase such a horrific image as that? There is a clear differentiation between living it and seeing it, some effects a camera does not capture. The fact that not all emotions are shown by cameras leaves my mind wondering what lies ahead both visually and emotionally.

Sincerely,

Keriden Harrington

Nate Brown Journal entry 1

Dear Elie Wiesel,

            I read the first part of your book and so far it’s hard for me even to turn to the next page. Throughout the first 30 or so pages, I realized that everything that I’ve known about humanity is wrong. I knew that the German’s treated the Jews like animals during the Holocaust, but to hear about the horrendous experiences that you’ve had so early in your journey is truly eye-opening. Early on in the book you mention that the Germans threw infants up in the air and used them as target practice for their machine guns. You remember that, “Infants were tossed in the air and used as targets for machineguns” (Wiesel 6). When I read this, not only did my initial reaction cause chills that ran up my spine, but it immediately also drove me to consider the Nazi party to live in absence of morals and a soul. This entry was just one of the powerful experiences that you were so strong to write about. It destroys my morals, degrades my views and humiliates my faith in humanity. Just the thought of throwing infants in the air and shooting them is something that I could’ve never imagined.

            All my life I’ve grown up being, in a way, sheltered from the horrors of the outside world. For example, I did not know about September 11, 2001 until about two years later. I assume it was appropriate to shelter me from this seeing as I was almost 6. However as I grew up, we learned nothing about the horrors of the Holocaust, the stealing and transformation of children in Africa into war machines, or even events in the Middle East. I believe that the entirety of your book is to remind people that we cannot forget about such a tragic event like the Holocaust and if we do, then we will be forgetting the millions of lives lost during it. I’ve learned nothing of such tragic events and due to that, I perceive the world and humanity as having some “downs” and flaws, but really we’re all in this together. As I read just the short part of your book, the realization that humanity is not at all what my conception of it initially was. I figured that if something bad would happen, the United States and its allies would take care of it. But back when WWII was happening I realized that everyone else if comfortable remaining voiceless when everyone else has had their rights stolen. I’m going to continue reading this book because, although how painful it is, I need to learn more about other cultures and the blood, tears, sweat and death that they went through. I know that it’s not easy to talk about something that was so hard to you, I can relate to it, however it’s not nearly as tragic as the issues that you had to go through. Thank you for the strength that you acquired to write your memories and share it with the world.

Sincerely,

Nate Brown

Timmy's Post #1

Dear Elie Wiesel,

            As I complete the first section of reading my heart is broken, my eyes are watery and my mind is left with millions of questions.  To begin, after reading about Moshe the Beadle and your strong faith prior to the Holocaust, it makes me wonder about your own faith today.   Prior to the Holocaust I observed how great of a role God played in your life.  When you were asked why you prayed you responded, "Why did I pray? Strange question.  Why did I live? Why did I breathe?" (Wiesel 4).  You explained how one's relationship with God is strengthened when you communicate with him.  You prayed very often which allowed me to know that you had an indestructible relationship with God.  However, what did this experience do to your faith?  Today, do you still believe in God and the readings of the Torah?  Or do you not believe in God at all?  One often loses their hope and faith after traumatizing and wicked events such as this one. 

            Being a devoted Catholic, religion plays a large role in my own life.  I attend a weekly mass, pray before all my meals and know I have angels looking over me in the Gates of Heaven.  Last year, I was confirmed into God's family and now an adult figure in the Catholic Church.  Each day I know that God looks over and protects me.  Prayer is very important to me, just as it was to you as a young boy.  Prayer opens your relationship with God, shows thankfulness, present your needs and ask for forgiveness. Through prayer God can help you with his extraordinary power.  I understand that dreadful things can change your life; however, what happens is all part of a greater journey that God wants you to learn from.  An event like the Holocaust would be difficult to accept though.  I would constantly ask myself, how could God let this happen to me and millions of others?  At that point, I would lose any faith in God's existence because the dictator behind this immoral act should not be able to obtain a superior power to God's.  I am curious to see where your relationship with God goes as this journey moves forward.  It can either be strengthened as you communicate with him through this nightmare, he can provide a light of hope.  Or it will slowly disappear as you witness the most horrible event that the world has ever seen.  Also, I would wonder, how could God create someone to be so destructive and evil?  As a young child did you think of Hitler as human?  For me, someone who could obtain so much evil is not human, they are a monster.  Hitler was a monster that changed your life forever.  At the beginning of the journey you saw your father cry, "It was the first time I saw him cry. I had never thought it was possible" (Wiesel 19).  The world around you was suddenly changing rapidly.  I know there is horror and fear in your future and I am anxious to hear the rest of your experience.  Thank you for sharing your story with the world!

Sincerely,

Timmy Salit