Janusz Korczak And the Spiritual Resistance

Spiritual resistance was when people in ghettos and concentration camps would do anything they could to keep their Jewish culture alive. They would build schools, draw, paint, and take photos of events that were held. They were well organized. They would make their own underground newspaper, and give it to other Jews for pleasure. ! They would organize and plan concerts along with literary evenings, and anniversaries to celebrate a Jewish artist. Jewish authors, poets, and directors made their work in ghettos. They also had secret libraries to express their feelings in without being watched by Nazis. These activities would give the Jews hope and make them feel like they had their culture and faith alive. ! ("Resistance During the Holocaust," 2012)! Janusz Korczak played a big role in keeping spirits on high notes during the holocaust. He worked with children from Jewish orphanages, and he was an excellent role model for them, and someone for the children to look up to, and to talk to. When the Nazis caught wind of Janusz's good deeds, they murdered him. (Ofri, Dor, 2012)!

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Some kids eating at the orphanage

Spiritual resistance took place all during the holocaust. Jews always tried to fight for their rights, and did anything they could to keep their hopes, and beliefs alive. They felt that their rebellious activities would give them hope, and help them get through this traumatic time of their lives. They felt that their Jewish culture should not be taken away from them, and that they had the right to draw pictures, write poetry, etc. they would do their literary evenings, anniversaries, and writing in the ghettos. They also had secret libraries where they would all get together for their concerts, etc. Janusz Korczak was a man who had a big part for spiritual resistance because of what he did for the orphan children. As a pediatrician, he took care of children, but also believed children had valid ides and thoughts, and were important. ! !

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A handwritten page of poetry by Shmerke Kaczerginski ("Vilna During the Holocaust" 2014).

This was a spiritual resistance. It was spiritual because they would try to keep their Jewish traditions alive. They would celebrate Jewish artists, would not let the Nazis take away their right to believe and practice their religion. They would also write poetry, and I think that poetry is a way of expressing your feelings. The Nazis would not like this, but they would do it in ghettos,make secret libraries. It was also physical, because some Jews would hide from the Nazis in attics, and basements.!

The Children's hospital Janusz Korczak Worked at

They took risks because they would do anything they could to keep their Jewish tradition, and to keep their hopes high. Janusz Korczak took a huge risk. He was nice to orphan children, and he was almost like their father. Sadly, he got caught by the Nazis, and was murdered along with many kids that he took care of. He risked his life for the children's happiness. Jews who rebelled would be faced with death. Their families would be in great danger also. (Grobman , 1990)! !

The Jews had to have many different resources. For emotional and mental resources, they had determination, hope, and strength. They had to be smart and sneaky for their intellectual resources. They had to plan where to have their meetings, and they had to make sure no one else found. (like the Nazis) They had to learn who to trust, and who right people were to trust. For financial resources, they had to have money to make their newspaper. They had to get paper somehow, and writing utensils. For physical resources, they had their secret libraries, and places in the ghetto where they could all get together. They also had the printing machine for their newspaper. They had each other for social resources. The kids had Janusz Korczak to look up to when they were scared, or feeling depressed, or needed a distraction. ! !

Sara Schmukler's identity card intended for use in the Vilna Ghetto! ("Vilna During the Holocaust" 2014).

The Jews had resources to help them succeed. They had their newspaper, access to paper, writing utensils, they had building where they could get together (their secret library) they had each other, the kids had Janusz Korczak to look up to. They had access to some sort of machine to print their newspapers, and they had their hope and culture to keep them going through that scary time. !

The Orphanage Janusz Korczak Worked at

They fought for their Jewish culture, their hope, and their happiness. Janusz Korczak fought for children's happiness, and was a very big part of each and every orphan child's life. It gave them somebody to talk to during this traumatic time, and even though he knew he might get caught, he still risked his life so that the kids life could be better. They fought against the Nazis, their fears, and their possible death punishment.! !

Janusz Korczak

They were successful because what they did helped them feel better, and it also helped them through the trauma. I decided they were successful because if what they did helped them, then they accomplished what they were trying to do. They accomplished a sense of unity. They defied the nazis by keeping their spirit and culture alive. They kept their morale high, and tried to stay strong even thought what was happening to them should have brought them down, and made them very scared by the nazis. They were still afraid, but they kept strong, and kept their hopes high. Janusz Korczak accomplished a lot also. He helped a lot of children through a very rough time. !

Janusz Korczak

An individual could make a huge difference. If everybody was depressed, one could plan a concert, or a literary evening to cheer them up, and help them forget about what was happening in their life, and their fears of the Nazis. One could write a poem, or draw a picture to try and cheer everyone up. Janusz Korczak was only one man, and he made a huge difference to many children. His goodness killed him in the end, and possibly many of whom he had helped. He proved that one man can make a whole lot of difference to many children's lives. Although he ultimately died for what he believed in, his kindness and his actions made the Holocaust more tolerable for many people. ! ! !!

Janusz Korczak With some kids

References ! !

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Grobman , G. M. (1990). Holocaust Resistance: Jewish Resistance to the Nazi Genocide. Retrieved from https://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/jsource/Holocaust/ grobres.html!

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Ofri, Dor. (2012, December 12). LIFESAVER HERO: JANUSZ KORCZAK . Retrieved from http://myhero.com/go/hero.asp?hero=J_Korzak_LC_nitzanim2_2008!

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Resistance During the Holocaust . (2012). Retrieved from http://www.adl.org/ assets/pdf/! education-outreach/Resistance-During-the-Holocaust-NYLM-Guide.pdf!

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Vilna During the Holocaust. (2014). Retrieved from http://www.yadvashem.org/yv/ en/exhibitions/vilna/during/aktions_spt_oct1941.asp!

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Some pictures from:! ! Neilsen, Webb, H. C. (2007). Janusz Korczak . Retrieved from http:// www.holocaustresearchproject.org/ghettos/korczak.html!

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