Surviving Hitler: A Boy in the Nazi Death Camps

Question 1

What was the language that the Jewish population spoke in Grandfather Mandelbaum’s Polish town?

Answer 1

Yiddish

Question 2

What was ordered of the Polish Jews just two months after the start of the German occupation of Poland?

Answer 2

Any one of these is acceptable:
Wearing the Star of David on their clothing
Jewish children could no longer go to school
Most Jews could not hold jobs

Question 3

How did Jack get separated from his mother and brother during the selection process?

Answer 3

Jack had a Nazi stamped letter that said he was able to work (he was an electrician’s helper), and Jack was pushed into a group that was primarily men (the able-bodied workers group)

Question 4

Jack was given new identification upon arriving at the concentration camp. What were concentration camp prisoners identification?

Answer 4

a number (Jack was 16013; specific number not necessary)

Question 5

What was baked in the bread at the concentration camp that made it taste so terrible?

Answer 5

sawdust

Question 6

In the concentration camp, who were the kapos?

Answer 6

Kapos were mostly former German prisoners (some Jewish) who had special privileges and lived in different barracks. They were used to help control the other prisoners and work details.

Question 7

Jack was grateful to Aaron for befriending him in the camp and giving him great advice. Give two pieces of advice that Aaron gave Jack, which helped Jack survive.

Answer 7

Any of these is acceptable:
Think only of yourself and those closest to you / help your friends
If you feel emotion, you will die quickly
Play the game
Do not take it personally
Do what you are told
Never call attention to yourself
Stay healthy

Question 8

What deadly disease did Jack contract in the concentration camp?

Answer 8

dysentery

Question 9

What kid of job did Jack and Moniek receive that Jack calls a miracle?

Answer 9

becoming a cook for the camp

Question 10

Jack refused to let himself cry while in the camps. What happened around the time of liberation that caused Jack to cry for the first time in three years?

Answer 10

Seeing that his friend (Moniek) was alive (After being attacked by the Hungarian Jews weeks before, Jack thought he was dead.)

Question 11

We learn that Jack loses all of his immediate family during the Holocaust. He says, “Something good must come from their sacrifice.” What does Jack do that acts as a memorial to his lost family?

Answer 11

He speaks. He tells his story hoping to make a difference. (He says “I must speak for all those who cannot speak for themselves.”)