https://padlet.com/VuTao/2ntx4k3h6u9o6gij A timeline of Alter Wiener's story, By: Vu Tao en-us 2021-12-06 05:18:24 UTC 2024-10-14 10:14:50 UTC hello@padlet.com VuTao https://padlet.com/VuTao/2ntx4k3h6u9o6gij/wish/1932774827 Event Type: Turning Point

Summary: After the Germans invaded Poland, 38 people were randomly taken away and shot to death. Alter Wiener's father was one of them.

Quote: "I was standing next to my father's casket and wondered whether my father was really lying inside that casket. I was enveloped in grief and numbness. I broke down and began weeping uncontrollably" (26)

Explanation: This event was important to his life because it was his only biological parent left with him and the continuing days aren't the same for him. Yet alone that things could have been different for him, feeling safe with his father in hiding instead of being taken away. Losing a family member like this was such a tragedy, anyone would be mourning about this for the rest of their life. ]]> 2021-12-07 05:15:07 UTC https://padlet.com/VuTao/2ntx4k3h6u9o6gij/wish/1932774827 VuTao https://padlet.com/VuTao/2ntx4k3h6u9o6gij/wish/1932807673 Event Type: Turning Point

Summary: The Nazi police suddenly arrived in the middle of the night and took Alter Wiener.

Quote: "In June 1942, in the middle of the night, Nazis barged into our home. A young soldier with a smug smile shouted at me, 'Du knabe, come with us. You have 5 minutes to get ready'" (35).

Explanation: This event was important of course because he is getting taken away to the concentration camp. This was the day where he starts his challenge, surviving 5 different concentration camps while overcoming, adapt and experiencing the most inhumane things that he has ever seen. ]]> 2021-12-07 05:49:23 UTC https://padlet.com/VuTao/2ntx4k3h6u9o6gij/wish/1932807673 VuTao https://padlet.com/VuTao/2ntx4k3h6u9o6gij/wish/1932815124 Event Type: Character Development

Summary: The following quote is taken place in his first concentration camp, where he was so hungry including his brother and a Pole asked him to trade his wristwatch for a loaf of bread. But this is against the rules, the camp commandant found out and ask whoever did this to step forward. Alter Wiener's brave soul did exactly that.

Quote: "You should all be grateful to Alter for admitting that he was the one and thus nobody else was punished but him. Our father taught us that everybody should be responsible for his own actions, and Alter abided by our father's teachings" (44) -Older Brother.

Explanation: From his actions, he received 15 lashes to his back and prevented from everyone else getting tortured. Like his father, he grew up to be heroic, unselfish, and caring to other humans when it is already tough for him to survive, keeping the mindset of owning up to his own actions. ]]> 2021-12-07 05:56:44 UTC https://padlet.com/VuTao/2ntx4k3h6u9o6gij/wish/1932815124 VuTao https://padlet.com/VuTao/2ntx4k3h6u9o6gij/wish/1932822589 Event Type: Character Development

Summary: In his last concentration camps, to him, it felt like it was his final days, hungry, tired, weak. Couldn't do any more forced labor, he sensed that he was going to drop into the floor at any moment.

Quote: "In February 1945, I was very weak, in despair and despondent. I wished to die to put an end to my suffering. I said to myself, 'I cannot go to hell from here because there cannot be a hell worse than the one I was in". Why stay alive while so many lives had been destroyed?" (55).

Explanation: What was the point of giving up now when you have survived 4 other concentration camps at 15 years old? Although he had suicidal thoughts for weeks, him preserving and still standing develops how strong and resilient he is. This event alone tells me how motivated he is.]]> 2021-12-07 06:04:11 UTC https://padlet.com/VuTao/2ntx4k3h6u9o6gij/wish/1932822589 VuTao https://padlet.com/VuTao/2ntx4k3h6u9o6gij/wish/1932825283 Event Type: Turning Point

Summary: The war is over, the Russians have came to save them.

Quote: "...waiting to be counted and marched to work. No guards showed up. Even the omnipresent guards on the watchtowers who were permeating our camp disappeared" (58).

Explanation: His sufferings are ending here, he can finally escape these concentration camps and get back on track with life. He spent 3 school years in 5 concentration camps, he survived all the torture and now he has freedom with him.]]> 2021-12-07 06:06:46 UTC https://padlet.com/VuTao/2ntx4k3h6u9o6gij/wish/1932825283 VuTao https://padlet.com/VuTao/2ntx4k3h6u9o6gij/wish/1935172670 Event Type: Turning Point

Summary: The Holocaust survivors received no help from anyone. Alter Wiener had no stamina, no home, no parents, no money, nothing. The quotes below is him and hundreds of survivors on a ship sailing towards Palestine illegally where the Jewish Agency can help them. Luckily, he made it out alive.

Quote: "If the British catch our ship and expel us from the shores of Palestine, I will sink the ship with all the people on it" (89) -Captain of the ship
"I was interned for ten days in that dank place and released on July 7, 1946" (90).

Explanation: Upon surviving the war, this was like the next chapter for him. Fortunately, he survived the trip going to Palestine and regain with his life. If he didn't, no one would be able to know his story and what he went through.]]> 2021-12-08 05:36:50 UTC https://padlet.com/VuTao/2ntx4k3h6u9o6gij/wish/1935172670 VuTao https://padlet.com/VuTao/2ntx4k3h6u9o6gij/wish/1935174425 Event Type: Character Development + Turning Point

Summary: Awhile after his life gets back to normal in Europe. He eventually got sponsored to the US and applied for a job. But he struggled when a question about his education came up, he decided to put the 5 concentration camp names that he went through.

Quote: "Because of your honesty and our sympathy for your past, we are willing to hire you on a trial basis as of August 1, 1961. The weekly salary will be $55" (125).

Explanation: From the quote above, he got the job. It was the best news that he had gotten in a long time he said. Growing up, he kept his traits and made them stronger. From all the events that he went through, it made him more appreciative and thankful. He always looked towards the positive side no matter how bad the situation is. He began to settle and present his story to multiple schools.]]> 2021-12-08 05:38:41 UTC https://padlet.com/VuTao/2ntx4k3h6u9o6gij/wish/1935174425