RUBRIC
+8+is sentences in length, addresses ALL parts of the
prompt, includes no fragments or run ons, includes
evidence from the reading and personal reflection (10/10
pts.)
 6-8 sentences in length, addresses MOST parts of the
prompt, includes 1-2 fragments and/or run ons, includes
little evidence from the reading and personal reflection
(7.5/10 pts.)
-fewer than 5 sentences in length, addresses FEW to
NO parts of the prompt, includes 3+ fragments and/or run
ons, includes no evidence from the reading and personal
reflection (5/10 pts.)
Writing Reflection
Prompt: Even though it was 1944, and Nazi extermination of
Jews had begun years earlier, the Sighet Jews had very few facts
about it. Describe what the Sighet Jews knew of the
extermination. Do you think it is possible in today’s world for a
community to know so little, to be so unprepared? Explain.
+
Even though it was 1944, the Jews of Sighet, Elie’s
hometown, were not extremely knowledgeable about the Nazi
extermination of the Jews. They had heard news from some
people who had been taken in earlier transports, so they did have
some information, but they did not necessarily take it very
seriously. Moshe the Beadle, Elie’s religious teacher, was taken
in an early transport, but he was able to escape alive and
returned to share his experience with the town as a warning of
what was to come. He described horrific killings of babies and
adults who were forced to dig mass graves and then were shot
and thrown into the graves they had just dug. The townspeople
of Sighet did not believe, or more likely, they did not want to
believe him because they feared what could be next. It would be
fairly impossible for a community today to know so little and be
so unprepared if a similar event was to occur. Because
technology is so prevalent today, and the media plays such a big
role in our lives, information would be broadcast and spread
quickly. As a result, people would be able to prepare for what
was ahead and attempt to escape or eliminate the problem before
it directly affected them. Therefore, society today would
respond quite differently than during the time of the Holocaust
in Sighet.

Even though it was 1944 and the Nazi extermination had
begun years earlier, most Jews in Elie’s town of Sighet were
unfamiliar with what was going on. No, it is not possible for
people today to know so little about an event that is so big.
People talk a lot more nowadays it would be hard to hide such a
terrible event. People are more prepared too. Since they have
computers and cell phones. Therefore, communities today
would communicate with each other they could come up with a
plan to stop the killing of a large group of people.
_
Since the Sighet Jews knew little about the extermination.
Some people had told them about having to leave. Today
communities would be more prepared they would hear about it
on TV they could read about it on social media to.