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Questions I Am Asked About The Holocaust summary
Hédi Fried
A survivor’s account of Auschwitz
25 mins
Brief summary
Questions I Am Asked About The Holocaust by Hédi Fried is a poignant and eye-opening account of the personal experiences of a concentration camp survivor. Through responses to real questions, Fried shares key lessons that can help us prevent future atrocities.
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Questions I Am Asked About The Holocaust
Summary of 9 key ideas
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Injustice must be stamped out at the very beginning.
Hédi Fried was born in 1924, in the Romanian town of Sighet.
Her early childhood was happy, surrounded by a large and close-knit family, and a community who looked out for one another. Sighet was a diverse place — with Romanians and Hungarians, and Jews and Christians living side by side.
Gradually, though, she began to notice things change. As a Hungarian Jew, she found herself running into prejudice more and more.
The key message here is: Injustice must be stamped out at the very beginning.
The first signs of this prejudice built up almost imperceptibly, like the first silky strands of a spider’s web. In the 1930s, these strands began to multiply.
One day, as war was brewing, Hédi’s school asked the students which sort of service they’d like to provide, in case conflict broke out. She opted for the postal service and was excited about a new challenge. As the students were sent to meet their instructor, he began his training by asking if everyone present was Romanian. When Hédi didn’t raise her hand, she found that she wasn’t allowed to continue — she was sent home, in angry tears.
Then, not long after this, after war had begun, the Hungarian army marched into Romania and brought with them Hitler’s Nuremberg Laws. First, Jewish public servants were dismissed. Then, Jewish doctors and lawyers were only allowed to treat and represent other Jews. Jewish stores were closed to non-Jews. Then, crushingly for Hédi, schools were closed to Jewish children.
And as each of these terrible laws were implemented, Hédi and her family adjusted themselves to the new reality. Even as the web tightened around them, they were confident that it would pass. The war would soon be over; Germany would be defeated.
But each of these steps was the precursor to something worse. Soon, the Fried family were forced to stitch yellow stars to their clothes. Soon, they were banned from the streets, parks, and cinemas. Still, they grew accustomed to it.
Then, they were forced from their home and into Sighet’s Jewish ghetto. Even then, as Hédi hugged her dog Bodri goodbye and said farewell to her childhood bedroom, piano, and diaries, she believed this too would pass. That she and her family would soon return.
Much later, she realized that this terrible process should never have been allowed past the first stage — that day when she was sent home from school for being Jewish. Her lesson to us now is: never, ever, get used to injustice.
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What is Questions I Am Asked About The Holocaust about?
Questions I Am Asked About The Holocaust (2019) is a survivor’s account of the darkest moment in recent European history. Hédi Fried has spent her life educating young people about the Holocaust and answering their questions. In this book, she considers those questions one by one, and paints a picture of her nightmarish experience that should act as a warning from history.
Questions I Am Asked About The Holocaust Review
Questions I Am Asked About The Holocaust (2018) sheds light on the Holocaust from the unique perspective of survivor Hédi Fried. Here's why this book is worth reading:
- It provides insightful answers to common questions about the Holocaust, educating readers and deepening their understanding.
- Through personal anecdotes and experiences, the book brings humanity and depth to the horrific events, making it emotionally impactful.
- With its honest and direct approach, the book challenges misconceptions and encourages dialogue, making it a crucial resource for Holocaust education.
Best quote from Questions I Am Asked About The Holocaust
It was one of the few happy reunions; most people found no one when they finally reached Sighet.
—Hédi Fried
Who should read Questions I Am Asked About The Holocaust?
- Anyone worried about the rise of racism and nationalism today
- Those with relatives affected by the Holocaust
- People interested in modern European history
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Questions I Am Asked About The Holocaust FAQs
What is the main message of Questions I Am Asked About The Holocaust?
The main message of Questions I Am Asked About The Holocaust is the importance of remembering the Holocaust and understanding its impact on individuals and society.
How long does it take to read Questions I Am Asked About The Holocaust?
The reading time for Questions I Am Asked About The Holocaust varies, but it can be read in several hours. The Blinkist summary can be read in just 15 minutes.
Is Questions I Am Asked About The Holocaust a good book? Is it worth reading?
Questions I Am Asked About The Holocaust is a thought-provoking book that offers valuable insights into the Holocaust. It is definitely worth reading for those interested in history and human resilience.
Who is the author of Questions I Am Asked About The Holocaust?
The author of Questions I Am Asked About The Holocaust is Hédi Fried.
What to read after Questions I Am Asked About The Holocaust?
If you're wondering what to read next after Questions I Am Asked About The Holocaust, here are some recommendations we suggest:
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