UNLIKELY HEROES

In a time with baseless hatred, brutality,, and destruction, Unlikely Heroes recovers the little-known stories of heroic Jews who exemplified courage and humanitarianism in the face of depravity.  These individuals joined resistance movements, rebelled against their oppressors, and fought for human rights and dignity.  They did not, as a persistent myth suggests, submit to the Nazis like “sheep to the slaughter,” but rather rose above the difficulties, accomplishing incredible feats.

While it is crucial to focus on the overwhelming cruelty and scope of the Nazi persecution, it is also our duty as educators to reinforce the stories of human courage and triumph during this time.  Unlikely Heroes explores the lesser-known dimension of Jewish resistance in the Holocaust.  We must acknowledge that some Jews did risk everything to fight for their lives and the lives of others.  Focusing on these individuals enables us to grasp the significance of what occurred, and reminds us of the power of personal responsibility and communal values.

I want to use the Unlikely Heroes documentary with my entire class.

 The entire downloadable Unlikely Heroes Curriculum Guide is here, complete with classroom objectives, handouts, step-by-step instructions, and standards.  Everything you need to do a successful unit on resistance during the Holocaust is here.  The Table of Contents is as follows:

Introduction

How to Use This Guide

INTO

Lesson 1:  The Power of Words

Lesson 2:  Dehumanization

THROUGH

Lesson 3:  Unlikely Heroes Matrix

Lesson 4:  Resistance

Lesson 5:  Resilience

BEYOND

Lesson 6:  Theme Art

Lesson 7:  Essay, Art, Music, or Action

Recommended Resources

Standards for Unlikely Heroes

Standards for The Museum of Tolerance