Unit 2: Selection Vocabulary 3

It was the worst pogrom—the most savage attack against the Jews of Germany—thus far in the twentieth century.

His power in the Reich was tremendous; only Hitler reigned above him.

On direct orders from Heydrich, Jewish homes and businesses were destroyed and synagogues burned.

Most of us stayed, as if riveted to the ground, some grinning evilly.

Indeed, it was like a beastly, bizarre circus of evil.

When they arrived in the torrid heat of summer, at barracks that were not complete, their hopes that Poston would be an improvement over Santa Anita were dashed. It was ten degrees hotter than the Libyan desert.

When they arrived in the torrid heat of summer, at barracks that were not complete, their hopes that Poston would be an improvement over Santa Anita were dashed.

The shock of the whole experience was overwhelming.

But nothing mitigated the moment when I had to take them to their new homes....You’d have to take these people into this dingy excuse for a room, twenty by twenty-five feet at best.

And it is with a profound sense of humility that I accept the honor—the highest there is—that you have chosen to bestow upon me. I know your choice transcends my person.

Do I have the right to represent the multitudes who have perished?

The ghetto. The deportation. The sealed cattle car.

And then I explain to him how naïve we were, that the world did know and remained silent.

Human rights are being violated on every continent.

This is perhaps the greatest tragedy of genocide—and the reason why we must be ever vigilant.

Each day’s delay sees new atrocities by both sides.

Too much blood has been shed. It is time for reconciliation.

Instead, in memory of my family and the many millions exterminated like them, I devoted my life to help build bridges between all of God’s children in pursuit of peace and justice.