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The Jewish Partisan Educational Foundation develops and distributes effective educational materials about the Jewish partisans, bringing the celebration of heroic resistance against tyranny into educational and cultural organizations.
From their resources:
Who Are the Jewish Partisans?
par·ti·san noun: a member of an organized body of fighters who attack or harass an
enemy, especially within occupied territory; a guerrilla
During World War II, the majority of European Jews were deceived by a monstrous and
meticulous disinformation campaign. The Germans and their collaborators detained
millions of Jews and forced them into camps, primarily by convincing them that they
were going there to work. In reality, most Jews who entered these so-called “work camps”
would be starved, murdered or worked to death. Yet approximately 30,000 Jews, many
of whom were teenagers, escaped the Nazis to form or join organized resistance groups.
These Jews are known as the Jewish partisans, and they joined hundreds of thousands of
non-Jewish partisans who fought against the enemy throughout much of Europe.
Why Should We Learn About the Jewish Partisans?
Most students falsely believe that Jews went “like sheep to the slaughter”. They perceive
the Holocaust as a piece of Jewish history only about victimization and the loss of
hope. The experience of thousands of Jewish partisans who stood up to tyranny and
oppression, fought courageously—and often successfully—against the Germans, and saved
countless lives is an important part of Jewish history that few students are aware of. This
information has the power to transform people’s perception of the Jewish experience
during the Holocaust, providing a clearer picture of Jewish heroism and character. After
learning about the partisans, non-Jewish teens acquire a greater understanding about the
Jewish people, leading to interfaith dialog and tolerance, while many Jewish teenagers
often feel empowered, developing a stronger sense of Jewish identity and pride. The story
of the Jewish partisans is empowering, and demonstrates how young people can make a
positive difference in the world.
Why Should We Learn About the Jewish Partisans?
Most students falsely believe that Jews went “like sheep to the slaughter”. They perceive
the Holocaust as a piece of Jewish history only about victimization and the loss of
hope. The experience of thousands of Jewish partisans who stood up to tyranny and
oppression, fought courageously—and often successfully—against the Germans, and saved
countless lives is an important part of Jewish history that few students are aware of. This
information has the power to transform people’s perception of the Jewish experience
during the Holocaust, providing a clearer picture of Jewish heroism and character. After
learning about the partisans, non-Jewish teens acquire a greater understanding about the
Jewish people, leading to interfaith dialog and tolerance, while many Jewish teenagers
often feel empowered, developing a stronger sense of Jewish identity and pride. The story
of the Jewish partisans is empowering, and demonstrates how young people can make a
positive difference in the world.
Lesson Contributors
Jewish Partisans Educational Foundation: The mission of JPEF is to develop and distribute effective educational materials about the Jewish partisans and their life lessons, bringing the celebration of heroic resistance against tyranny into educational and cultural organizations.