Yesterday, we went to Terezin, or Theresienstadt. This particular camp is extremely unique for more than one reason. 1) It is not just a labor camp - it is a ghetto as well. 2) It was used as a propaganda tool for the Nazis. 3) It was a transit camp, or a holding station, for Jews on their way to killing centers (obviously, it was not announced that way.)
In Nazi propaganda, Theresienstadt was cynically described as a "spa town" - very deceptive to those persecuted and the world. In fact, only one country fought extremely hard to keep their Jews, and that would be Denmark. In 1944, there were 500 children taken from Denmark to Theresienstadt. Because of Denmark's constant badgering to know what happened to the 500 children, Theresienstadt opened its doors to the International Red Cross to come and see its ghetto/camp. Before their visit, they hastened many deportations and even beautified the ghetto to make it look nicer.
Cultural life flourished in Theresienstadt - literature, art, music, and theater were many of the ways that Jews resisted the power of the Nazis. Children performed plays, artists created paintings of the horrific conditions, and music was a relief to the ears of those perpetrated. Dr. Spatz enjoyed the jazz - and the Nazis were not a fan of jazz music - in fact, they called it "negro music."
One of the things I thought was interesting about Theresienstadt was that the Nazis saw it as a perfect location because of a garrison that was created there long before. The garrison served as the camp itself - it was created in 1780 by Emperor Franz Joseph of Austria and named after his mother Maria Theresa. After walking through the fort, it was easy to see why the Nazis used it for their camp - they already had the rooms and location necessary for easy access. The Nazis basically made the people of the town move out so that they could use the fort as a camp and the town as the ghetto.
Although there was a crematorium at Theresienstadt, it was not set up as a killing center. Over 200 bodies a day were typically burned in the crematorium - which is drastically different from Auschwitz-Birkenau. Of the roughly 140,000 transported to Theresienstadt, around 90,000 were "resettled to the East," a euphemism used to mean the killing centers of Auschwitz-Birkenau, Treblinka, and Sobibor. Around 33,000 perished in Theresienstadt.
Dr.Spatz was deported to Theresienstadt, and within 8 months, she will be deported to Auschwitz-Birkenau. I must admit that I have tried to follow Dr. Spatz' journey - especially since I am going to three of the sites she went to. When I turned the corner of one of the museum rooms, there was a massive deportation list of the numbers and dates of when those perpetrated against entered and left Theresienstadt. I made sure to find Dr. Spatz' transport dates - having this connection has really impacted me. I love learning about the individual survivors and victims of the Holocaust - knowing that I have actually hugged Dr. Spatz and heard her personal story has really made this come to life for me. Hearing her personal story and reading her book has already inspired me; however, I feel like I have a duty to understand her story even more now that I have visited these areas.
Last but not least, I read and heard a story that captured my attention. In Theresienstadt, there were Jews that played soccer in the courtyard of the ghetto. In fact, there is film of Jews playing soccer and it is used as propaganda for the Nazis. It is extremely disturbing because we know it was used as propaganda, and the men filmed playing soccer were most likely killed. When I walked up the steps of the museum, there were paintings from children in Theresienstadt, and there was one particular painting that stood out to me. It was a beautiful painting of a goalkeeper saving a shot in the goal - I must admit that I teared up a bit knowing that a sport I am so passionate about and brings joy to many also brought joy to the men of the ghetto who were able to play, potentially, for the last time. It made me think about how lucky I am that I have the ability to play this sport and to coach as well. No one is forcing me to play and no one is preventing me from playing. It really tugged at me and made me realize how thankful I am. For those of you interested in reading about soccer in Theresienstadt, you can check it out here: http://www.ligaterezin.com
This morning, we walked around Prague. Absolutely beautiful city - and the synagogues were unbelievable. One synagogue has the names of 80,000 Czechoslovakian Jews that were killed in the Holocaust painted on its walls - talk about powerful. Also, there was a cemetery from the 1700's that had tombstones literally on top of each other. Because there was only so much space, people were literally buried right on top of each other. The cemetery was unbelievable - literally between a synagogue and more buildings.
Now, we are on our way to Poland! While this experience had been extremely difficult, I fear that it will become only that much more exhausting. Poland is the location of all six major death camps - over the next week, we will be visiting four of the six death camps: Auschwitz-Birkenau, Belzec, Majdanek, and Treblinka. Tomorrow, we have a walking tour of Jewish Krakow, Friday we go to Auschwitz-Birkenau, and on Saturday, we will go to the Schindler Museum. Don't forget to comment about your thoughts! I have enjoyed reading everyone's comments! It's nice to hear about your support and it's even nicer to hear from my American friends! I miss America, but I am enjoying my learning experience. Until tomorrow!
P.S. On a side note, I'm pretty sure I could hear Germany screaming from the Czech Republic after every single one of their 7 goals last night against Brazil! :) I've called it from the start - Germany is winning the World Cup!
In Nazi propaganda, Theresienstadt was cynically described as a "spa town" - very deceptive to those persecuted and the world. In fact, only one country fought extremely hard to keep their Jews, and that would be Denmark. In 1944, there were 500 children taken from Denmark to Theresienstadt. Because of Denmark's constant badgering to know what happened to the 500 children, Theresienstadt opened its doors to the International Red Cross to come and see its ghetto/camp. Before their visit, they hastened many deportations and even beautified the ghetto to make it look nicer.
Cultural life flourished in Theresienstadt - literature, art, music, and theater were many of the ways that Jews resisted the power of the Nazis. Children performed plays, artists created paintings of the horrific conditions, and music was a relief to the ears of those perpetrated. Dr. Spatz enjoyed the jazz - and the Nazis were not a fan of jazz music - in fact, they called it "negro music."
One of the things I thought was interesting about Theresienstadt was that the Nazis saw it as a perfect location because of a garrison that was created there long before. The garrison served as the camp itself - it was created in 1780 by Emperor Franz Joseph of Austria and named after his mother Maria Theresa. After walking through the fort, it was easy to see why the Nazis used it for their camp - they already had the rooms and location necessary for easy access. The Nazis basically made the people of the town move out so that they could use the fort as a camp and the town as the ghetto.
Although there was a crematorium at Theresienstadt, it was not set up as a killing center. Over 200 bodies a day were typically burned in the crematorium - which is drastically different from Auschwitz-Birkenau. Of the roughly 140,000 transported to Theresienstadt, around 90,000 were "resettled to the East," a euphemism used to mean the killing centers of Auschwitz-Birkenau, Treblinka, and Sobibor. Around 33,000 perished in Theresienstadt.
Dr.Spatz was deported to Theresienstadt, and within 8 months, she will be deported to Auschwitz-Birkenau. I must admit that I have tried to follow Dr. Spatz' journey - especially since I am going to three of the sites she went to. When I turned the corner of one of the museum rooms, there was a massive deportation list of the numbers and dates of when those perpetrated against entered and left Theresienstadt. I made sure to find Dr. Spatz' transport dates - having this connection has really impacted me. I love learning about the individual survivors and victims of the Holocaust - knowing that I have actually hugged Dr. Spatz and heard her personal story has really made this come to life for me. Hearing her personal story and reading her book has already inspired me; however, I feel like I have a duty to understand her story even more now that I have visited these areas.
Last but not least, I read and heard a story that captured my attention. In Theresienstadt, there were Jews that played soccer in the courtyard of the ghetto. In fact, there is film of Jews playing soccer and it is used as propaganda for the Nazis. It is extremely disturbing because we know it was used as propaganda, and the men filmed playing soccer were most likely killed. When I walked up the steps of the museum, there were paintings from children in Theresienstadt, and there was one particular painting that stood out to me. It was a beautiful painting of a goalkeeper saving a shot in the goal - I must admit that I teared up a bit knowing that a sport I am so passionate about and brings joy to many also brought joy to the men of the ghetto who were able to play, potentially, for the last time. It made me think about how lucky I am that I have the ability to play this sport and to coach as well. No one is forcing me to play and no one is preventing me from playing. It really tugged at me and made me realize how thankful I am. For those of you interested in reading about soccer in Theresienstadt, you can check it out here: http://www.ligaterezin.com
This morning, we walked around Prague. Absolutely beautiful city - and the synagogues were unbelievable. One synagogue has the names of 80,000 Czechoslovakian Jews that were killed in the Holocaust painted on its walls - talk about powerful. Also, there was a cemetery from the 1700's that had tombstones literally on top of each other. Because there was only so much space, people were literally buried right on top of each other. The cemetery was unbelievable - literally between a synagogue and more buildings.
Now, we are on our way to Poland! While this experience had been extremely difficult, I fear that it will become only that much more exhausting. Poland is the location of all six major death camps - over the next week, we will be visiting four of the six death camps: Auschwitz-Birkenau, Belzec, Majdanek, and Treblinka. Tomorrow, we have a walking tour of Jewish Krakow, Friday we go to Auschwitz-Birkenau, and on Saturday, we will go to the Schindler Museum. Don't forget to comment about your thoughts! I have enjoyed reading everyone's comments! It's nice to hear about your support and it's even nicer to hear from my American friends! I miss America, but I am enjoying my learning experience. Until tomorrow!
P.S. On a side note, I'm pretty sure I could hear Germany screaming from the Czech Republic after every single one of their 7 goals last night against Brazil! :) I've called it from the start - Germany is winning the World Cup!
Eva, a survivor of Theresienstadt, and myself! Super sweet lady! The most powerful moment was when I walked next to her, and she placed her hand on the name of a girl that she knew and was friends with. She told me and another woman on the trip that her friend was sent to Auschwitz and killed. Very tough, but quite a powerful moment....