Jews of Sosua

During these past two weeks we have traced the long history of Jewish displacement, identity formation, persecution, and survivalfrom the ancient world to Nazi Germany. This reflection assignment asks you to synthesize what we have covered so far and critically engage with the material.

This is not a summary assignment. Instead, you are asked to reflect, analyze, and connect historical events to broader themes of power, identity, law, and dehumanization, as well as to your own responses to what you have learned.

Your perspective matters. Thoughtful engagement and honest reflection are essential

Reflection Prompt

Write a minimum of two full pages responding to the questions below. Your reflection should clearly address each section in a cohesive way.

1- Historical Foundations: Displacement and Identity

Reflect on the early history we studied.

How does learning about early Jewish exile change the way you personally understand Jewish identity and vulnerability in modern Europe?

2- Law, Power, and Dehumanization

Consider how discrimination became legalized under Nazi Germany.

How did the use of law in Nazi Germanyparticularly the Nuremberg Lawsturn power into a tool of dehumanization, and how did learning about this make you feel about the human impact of being legally labeled and stripped of rights?

3- Propaganda and Totalitarian Control

Analyze how persecution was normalized

How did Nazi propaganda, Hitlers cult of personality, and youth indoctrination shape public attitudes toward Jews, and how does learning about this change the way you think about why people became participants or bystanders?

4- Personal Reflection & Connection

This section is essential.

Which aspects of this history affected you most, how did they challenge your previous assumptions about power, identity, or obedience, and where do you see similar patternssuch as propaganda, exclusion, or labelingappearing in the modern world or in your o

wn lived experience?