DOE Lesson Plan - American History: A Couple's Mission

Worksheet: The American Response to the Holocaust

Eleanor and Gilbert: A Couple’s Mission
 

Penpals Marianne and Jane
U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum


At great personal risk, Gilbert and Eleanor Kraus of Philadelphia traveled to Nazi-controlled Vienna to rescue 50 Jewish children in spring 1939—just months before the start of World War II. Upon arriving, they faced the heartbreaking challenge of choosing which children could withstand leaving their parents and immigrating to the United States with strangers.   

Graphic of Marianne and Jane for link below

           View their story.


QUESTIONS TO CONSIDER

  • Where did the Kraus family live? Who did they represent in their mission?
  • Using the Holocaust Chronology or Timeline, what was happening at the time that made their mission urgent?
  • Describe the American helpers in this story. What do you think motivated them? What challenges did they face?
  • What did they hope would be the outcome of their mission? Were they successful? Why or why not?
  • What did you learn about the Holocaust from this story? What did you learn about the American response?

READ: What did Refugees Need to Obtain a US Visa in the 1930s? 


REVIEW

  • What were the 7 steps required to obtain a US Visa?
  • What were difficulties people might face in obtaining the documents required for a US Visa?
  • What was happening in the United States in the 1930s that would make it very difficult to find a financial sponsor?
  • What were the obstacles to getting a ship ticket?
  • How many quota spots were available in 1938? Go back to the first step. What number is on the document for the waiting list? What does that tell you about chances for immigration in 1938?
Chart showing numbers of Germans who were on waiting list to receive visas to leave the country

 

ARTIFACT STUDY

Document From Anthony Acevedo's Collection

 

 

Artifact: Erika Tamar Passport

Erika Tamar, one of the fifty children, signed her own passport prior to her immigration to the United States. --US Holocaust Memorial Museum.

View Erika Tamar’s Passport

 


QUESTIONS TO CONSIDER

  • What images do you see on the passport that reflect the time and history?
  • What do you notice about Erika’s handwriting?
  • What is the date on the passport? What was happening at that time that would motivate a parent to send their child, alone, to another country?
  • Why would this be difficult for Erika’s parents?


FOR DISCUSSION

What choices did the Krauses have? What choice did they make? What were the risks?

What choices did the parents of the 50 children have? What were the risks?