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Dear Diary,

Today, September 25th 1940, my heart is heavy with both fear and hope. As a German living during these dark times of the Holocaust, I find myself torn between the loyalty expected of me and the principles that guide my conscience.

I have made a choice, to defy the Nazi regime and shelter Jewish people who are being hunted. We must tread carefully, for our lives and the lives of those we protect hang in the balance. But I cannot turn a blind eye to the suffering of innocent souls.

Behind closed doors, hidden in cramped spaces, we provide refuge to those who have been stripped of their dignity. Their stories are etched into my heart, their resilience inspiring me to keep fighting against this monstrous injustice.

Every passing day tests our resolve. The constant threat of raids and inspections keeps us on edge. We live in constant fear of being exposed, but we persist, for it is in these moments that true heroes are born.

I see the pain in their eyes, they find solace in our small acts of defiance and compassion. In their presence, I am reminded of the beauty that exists within humanity, even amidst such darkness.

I pray for a future where justice prevails and love triumphs over hate. Until then, I will continue to risk everything to protect those who seek refuge.

May our secret remain hidden, and may the light of compassion guide us through these tumultuous times.

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Forgive, forget... An impossible issue in my heart, in my mind and my soul... I do not have that power, only our Lord Yahweh I still trust in him. However, some nights... I doubt it, from the agony of my days I wonder to myself; why to us, why to his prayers. Why being loyal to him makes us the stone inside someone's shoe. I am struggling, I never find answers to all my questions. The only thing I do; I fight to survive with my little brothers inside this dark and wet shelter. I wish They never find us like They did with my parents. I don't know why that happens. If it ends I don´t know if We will look at the sun or simply feel the wind on my face.  I can't just find a reason, I can only describe It as the misery and fragility of being alive as Jews.

- Paula Silva Lopez

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“Jew’s diary”, by Jorgelina Ferreyra and Azucena Barreto

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“Jew’s diary”, by Jorgelina Ferreyra and Azucena Barreto

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Dear Diary
How could I do ?
This is the world I’ve got, my world.
It became darker, I feel like I can not breathe because my space is so tiny.
I need the sun in front of me just for a moment, to feel free.
I cannot run from this reality, who could give me a hand now?
I feel the pressure on my shoulders and the breath of different people on my neck due to the overcrowding.
I think that the only thing that would save me are my memories of the sunny days with my parents and sisters, eating with our feet on the grass.
This could be my last day, my last breath, the last page of this yellowish diary.

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September 16th, 1944
In case of my death:
This letter probably doesn't make sense, but at least writing these lines helps me show someone, whoever, the situation we are going through in our community. Although we have no consolation, no relief, only God helps us through this storm and strengthens us.
In Nuremberg were approved the laws that justified what is already happening. Hitler is a demon! and he has shown to the people that we are the worst scum. Furthermore, this oppression and persecution is also suffered by other groups that have nothing to do with us and yet we are blamed even more for this.
Know that we will not survive so much pain. These men starve us, torture us, force us to work for them. And they also said that they plan to lock us up and drown us, and that's how we felt for a long time, drowned.
I just hope that over the years this helps make conciousness in society, in the world. Maybe there be no more hated around our religion. We are human beings like everyone else, we do not deserve this treatment. We are more human than them. Soon this hell will end.

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Diary entry - The day of expulsion. Leonardo Bayón

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Diary entry - The day of expulsion. Leonardo Bayón

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Date: ---x--x-x--
Dear  diary:

Today is a sorrowful day,one that I hoped never to witness in my lifetime. I write these words with a heavy heart, as the sun sets on the eternal city of Rome, where I have lived as a faithful Jew for as long as I can remember. Our once harmonious existence within this grand city has come to an abrupt end.

The decree of expulsion has fallen upon our Jewish community, and we are left with no choice but to bid farewell to the place we have called home. It is a disheartening turn of events, a reminder of the fragile nature of our existence as a religious minority in this vast empire.

In fact, they gave us options, but converting to Christianity was never an option for my ultra religious family. We held our heads high and continued our journey out of this city that once was our home.

In the face of adversity, we remain steadfast, knowing that our faith, like the eternal city itself, will endure.

L.

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November 1938

Dear diary:

I woke up in the middle of the night very confused because there were a lot of noises and screams. I left my room and found my parents crying while they looked out the window at how a group of people were breaking and destroying our store (and those of the neighbors) and the windows.

I feel so scared for my family and myself. I can’t understand why these people start having these types of actions against us. Maybe because we did something bad or maybe was something that we said or because of our religion (since there were a lot of insults against us, the Jewish community).

However, I have a lot of feelings that make me confirm that something terrible is going to happen, the only thing that I can do is help my family to overcome this and wait to see the light in so much darkness.

I am going to pray for the best for my family and my people. I don’t want to lose the hope in my heart and soul, but the only thing that I do is cry like a baby, and feel worry, uncertainty, and terror for our future.

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There are nights

I would like to forget.

When there was broken glass,

and her eyes were wet.

“It’s in our blood”, father said.

But that’s what they want,

that’s what they spread.

She hugged me tight

In her wounded arms.

While in the synagogue

the fire shone.

An eagle stole the peace.

And now in cemeteries

can’t rest our families.

They sent me to a cold place.

God forgive me,

I’ve lost my faith.

Skin and bones

that’s what we became.

Between four walls

many humans are crammed.

In a stack of corpses

I found a friend,

It was difficult to recognize

with his bald head.

Mengele, gas chambers,

hunger, and power games.

If we are monsters

What are they?

----

Juliana Saucedo
Lucas Aga
Santiago Aragón
Pablo Farias

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"Diary of a young girl"                        Iara Bonforte-Iara Segault-Sol Bramante-Jazmin Celano-Guido Fernandez

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"Diary of a young girl"                        Iara Bonforte-Iara Segault-Sol Bramante-Jazmin Celano-Guido Fernandez

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November 19th 1941

Dear diary:

Here we are once again, it's Robbs's birthday, at this time of the year i’d be bursting with excitement, but given the circumstances, I’m just happy Mother and Robb are still here. A couple of days ago Father and Mother went out on a trip to the drugstore because Robb had been feeling ill for two weeks and we were getting more and more worried. They were taking more time than usual and I was getting anxious but then I heard Mother enter the house, alone. She had a horrible look on her face and I could only imagine what had happened. She told us that the police in the store had identified Father and that they had taken him, she said she wanted to fight for him but the best decision was to leave and come back home to us. Father always sacrificed himself for us, but this time he did not make it. Robb is still too young to understand what is happening, the good thing is that his fever is disappearing.

The typical bedtime stories and hot chocolate don’t feel like they used to, they seem sadder, and not that joyful, but I do know one thing, and it’s if I had a wish, I’d wish for all of this to be over… We miss Father a lot but Mother is so worried about him. Yesterday I heard her whispering with her friend Hanna about some place my father could’ve ended up, but when Hanna told her, she began to cry and I don’t understand why. Our neighbors heard what happened to Father and were scared that they could run the same fate...

Hopefully, Father manages to make his way to us back again, until then all we can do is hope and pray for his safety…

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Memories of an innocent child - Amud leyla

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Memories of an innocent child - Amud leyla

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I learnt how to live in silence

I learnt how to hide

I learnt how to remain quiet when it was necessary

I learnt how to live with less each day

I learnt how to survive while children my age where learning how to multiply

I learnt how to avoid being tortured by hiding for years

I learnt how to go through the loss of a loved one

I learnt how to never stop believing in god

I lost my childhood

I lost my friends

I lost my identity

I lost my people

I would never understand

I would never forget

I would never forgive

I would always be loyal to my religion.

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November, 1938.

Dear diary.

Last Wednesday, I ran fastest I could after school. We all heard the rumors that something was going to happen that night. The stupid boy in my class said that. "The trash in the society is finished" I knew what that was about. I knew it.

My family also knew it because, when I came home, they were waiting for me in the living room. Their eyes showed fear but their faces tried to be different. "We need to go, now, sweetie" my mother told me.

My aunt, Lissie, recived us in her house. Her house was way too far from our's. It's been two days since my parents returned home trying to rescue some stuff and bring them back to auntie's house but I don't have a good feeling about this.

I don't want to say it, but I think things are not okay in home. I heard my aunt talking with a friend about how destroyed the houses and shops were. "It was all an act of hate against us" and my stomach started to hurt after that and it won't stop until my parents return.

I just hope my parents will be fine and we can come back home soon.

Please, Adonai, protect my parents.

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Dear Diary:
Today, June 5, 1941, I left my house to go to school, before I go to my friend Lucy's house as always to go together.  When I got to her house there was no one, it seemed strange to me because Lucy never misses school and her mother is always at home.
When I left school I passed by Lucy's house again but there was no trace of her or her family and when I got a little closer and looked through the window her entire house was destroyed and on her door was drawn the symbol that those bad men carry and that mom always tells me to be careful.
When I got home I told my mother and she, with a nervous tone and a broken voice, told me that they had gone on a trip and that they probably wouldn't come back for a while and that their destroyed house was because they had to leave quickly and didn't have time to clean.
It made me very sad that Lucy left without saying goodbye to me and it was very strange that her house was in that state her mother always kept the house impeccable.
I hope one day I can see Lucy again she was a very good friend.

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By Blanco Andrea, Nieto Sofia, Ojeda Sol, Rey Mendoza Carolina, Sanchez Zufiria Celeste.

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By Blanco Andrea, Nieto Sofia, Ojeda Sol, Rey Mendoza Carolina, Sanchez Zufiria Celeste.

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Based on the book and film "The Book Thief".

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I must conceal, lie to my own blood to survive, hide who I really am.

I blend between them but I feel the inquisitor's gaze.

My jewish heart cries and desires to be free.

Try to be one of them during the day,

and at night a secret flame is born in the basement where the whispers of the torah are heard.

Our heart is alive again

but with dawn our soul is trapped in prison.

We just hope today, the inquisitor’s gaze avoid again.

I couldn’t, they forced me

I was tired of them so I refused to eat that,

pork is not allowed.

Now I am in this damp place,

maybe these are my last hours

I don’t know, but one thing I do know Is who I am.

Our blood will continue,

I am sure that in the future Jewish souls would be free

And the inquisitor’s chains would not exist.

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Diary of a Jew living in Constantinople. - Aixa Addamo

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Diary of a Jew living in Constantinople. - Aixa Addamo

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Day:
July 25, 325 AD

Dear Diary,

My name is Delilah, and I am a Jew living in the city of Constantinople. The world around me becomes dark and uncertain as I write these words.  Today, I witnessed a pivotal moment in history, a moment that has cast a lasting shadow over our community. With Emperor Constantine's convertion to Christianity, a new era for the Roman empire has been decreed. The cross, once a symbol of suffering and crucifixion, is currently hailed as a symbol of power and authority. Our ancient faith, Judaism, is marginalized and endangered.

Constantine's conversion to Christianity has brought about a wave of persecution against my Jewish people. It is a cruel irony that a city founded by the great Emperor Constantine himself, which was once our sanctuary, currently resembles a prison for those who continue to practice our ancestors' faith.

Our synagogues are observed with distrust, our gatherings are met with hostility, and our beliefs are labeled as heretical. The air is filled with fear as the Christian majority becomes more and more fervent.
Yesterday, I saw the streets of Constantinople decorated with crosses and Christian symbols. The Jewish ghetto, used to be vibrant with life and tradition, and now deals with repression. Jewish families have been forced to hide their faith out of fear for their safety, and Jewish-owned businesses have been vandalized.

My heart is in pain for my people and for our future. We must hold on to our faith, traditions, and identity, even in the face of this misfortune.

Yours in sorrow,

Delilah

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The impact of Auschwitz during the holocaust, a poem.

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The impact of Auschwitz during the holocaust, a poem.

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It still hurts

Auschwitz hurts in every life

Those were the lives of your beloved ones

Your grandparents’ , my parents’

Yours and mine.

Not only bodies left

But lost souls remained

Trying to erase the memory

Of those endless days.

Wandering into the unconsciousness

Seeking a way out

Auschwitz is an example

of what should not be done.

Auschwitz still hurts

it is history that does not fade

sad and haughty example of reason

and justice that must not be made.

Who with social conscience takes part of our lives?

Who endorses this dying for a genocidal policy?

Do these people have any sense?

Auschwitz trembles in the bodies of lost innocence.

Amaya Nahemías
De la Canal Rocío

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Chapter 6 Assignment: Embody somebody from the past experiencing a religious event.

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Chapter 6 Assignment: Embody somebody from the past experiencing a religious event.

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Work individually, in pairs or in groups to write a poem, a diary entry or a news article and depict a connection between a religious event and somebody´s life. Place yourself in the shoes of the people living in the times we have studied, you can refer to a religious expulsion, the construction of a church, the holocaust, the reformation, etc. Be creative and share your productions here for everyone to read you !
Remember to include the names of the members of the group and to acknowledge the source if you quote an author.
The deadline for carrying out this task will be in fifteen days. If queries crop up, please ask your questions in class . Thank you !