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Moral Courage

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   “Whoever saves a single life (it) is as if one saves the entire world.”  – Talmud

Moral Courage
“…highlighting acts or moral courage by individuals or groups who have helped to change the life-changing events within their community or country.”

While many students may know the names Oscar Schindler and Raoul Wallenberg, they might not be aware of the countless other persons who were actively involved in the rescue of Jewish fugitives from the hands of the Nazis during World War II.  Producer Sy Rotter traveled in a number of formally German-occupied European countries to interview a small number of such individuals, highlighting their efforts and created the educational video series under the auspices of the “The Foundation for Moral Courage” with the cooperation of Yad Yashem and with the assistance of South Carolina ETV,  the 9 part series of “Moral Courage” was developed.

 

Program titles (link to videos) & length
Description Recommended Reading Resources
Links to Teacher Guide
The Other Side of Faith
(27 minutes)
Under Nazi occupation, a 16-year-old Polish girl and her younger sister hid and nurtured 13 Jewish fugitives for over two years. Narrated by Sy Rotter Poles Who Saved Jews During The Holocaust Teacher Guide
Zegota: A Time To Remember
(52 minute version)
An effort of the Polish Government in Exile to help Jewish fugitives in Poland during the Holocaust. Includes an Epilogue by Jan Karski.
Narrated by Sy Rotter
Rescue of Jews by Poles Teacher Guide
Rescue in Scandinavia
(55 minutes)
Focused on individuals in Norway, Denmark, Finland and Sweden who helped Jewish fugitives during the war. Narrated by Liv Ullmann. The Rescues-Thanks to Scandinavia Teacher Guide
A Debt To Honor
(29 minutes)
In spite of Italy’s alliance with Nazi Germany, eighty percent of Italy’s Jews survived the Holocaust, largely through the efforts of Italian non-Jews. Narrated by Alan Alda Chronology of Rescue by Italians Teacher Guide
It Was Nothing,
It Was Everything

(29 minutes)
Includes reflections on the rescue of Jewish fugitives in Greece by citizens and clergy during the Holocaust. Narrated by Irene Papas Greece’s Quiet Heroes Defied Nazis Teacher Guide
Zegota: Council for Aid to Jews In Poland
(28 minutes)
This shortened version of our 1992 program on Zegota contains new archival footage.  Narrated by Eli Wallach Rescue of Jews by Poles Teacher Guide
Treason or Honor: German Rescuers During The Holocaust
(28 minutes)
This program is focused on stories of the rescue of Jews in Germany.  Narrated by Uta Hagen in English and Anna Rosmus New Museum Salutes The Few Who Defied Nazis Teacher Guide
A Time to Gather Stones Together 
(28 minutes)
Holocaust survivors living in the U.S. visit archives and places of family origin in present-day Ukraine and Poland.  Narrated by Sy Rotter Holocaust Survivors Revisit the Past Discussion Guide & Bibliography
One Day In The Life of Oni
(28 minutes)
In the Caucasian mountains of Georgia, a small but vibrant Jewish community celebrates its ancestry which dates back 2,500 years. Narrated by Theodore Bikel Georgian Jews in Georgia Discussion Guide/Bibliography


Recommended Books for Educators About Rescue Efforts  (coming soon)

Other Videos Related to the Mission of the Foundation for Moral Courage

The Peace Builders
(26 minutes)
Former enemies, representing Catholic and Eastern Orthodox faiths in Vukovar, Croatia, reconcile their differences. Narrated by Bettina Gregory Discussion Guide
Making Choices
(28 minutes)
Macedonians, Muslims, and Christians in the aftermath of the Kosovo crisis speak of the choices for their future. Narrated by Marvin Kalb Discussion Guide
Overcoming Amnesia
Frozen Memories of the Russian Gulag
(53 minutes)
(aka Gulag: Frozen Memories)
Post Stalinist Governments have tried to obliterate this tragic history from the memory of the World. A co-production with Boston College of the 70 year history of the Soviet Gulag experience. Transcript/Chronology/Bibliography/Filmography/Websites

 

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