English Teachers Association in Israel

CENTROPA

By Ettie Abraham

• Teaching English Differently Using Films of Jewish Family Stories Humanitarian values, morals, human behavior and perceptions are issues discussed in our classroom using Centropa.

• Presenting the site and the possibilities it entails using examples:

• A Centropa film and poem • Collaborating with Centropa teachers worldwide • Making your family roots album in the format of a digital film - by Lowell Blackman

Love story

Max Uri is looking for Frieda

Goals

• Learning history through a personal story• Comprehension of the film

• Comprehension and analysis of poetry• Familiarizing with literary terms

• Mastering HOTS• Application of students’ comprehension

Lesson 1

• The history teacher will give a general introduction of “The Jewish life in Austria before WWII” -especially in Vienna.

Lesson 2

• Watching the film "Max Uri" from Centropa site• http://www.centropa.org/node/47399?language=All&subtitle_language=

All

until the lovers are separated (Start at 0:16. Show until 1:35 minutes). Discussion :What is the film about? How will it end? Why?

Lesson 3

Emily Dickenson / I held a Jewel in my fingers

I held a Jewel in my fingers –And went to sleep --The day was warm, and winds were prosy --I said "'Twill keep" --

I woke -- and chid my honest fingers,The Gem was gone --And now, an Amethyst remembranceIs all I own – • Analysis of poem

Lesson 4: Interpretation

• Show the whole film" Max Uri "(from beginning to end 2:56 min)

• Compare and contrast the poem and film. • What are the mutual themes? Love, appreciation of it, loss of something meaningful. • What are the differences? In the film there is closure to the loss of the loved one, whereas in the poem It is lost forever. • What historic information did you learn from the film?• How did this information help you appreciate the love story?• What conclusions do you reach from the poem and the film?

Lesson 5-6

• Write a letter to the Heroine of the poem, commenting on what has happened to her.• Give her advice based on the film "Max Uri" (from

Centropa site)• Create a film/Powerpoint presentation reflecting

your understanding of the poem/film.

?!German Friendship

Friendship between a Jew and a gentile; is it possible? How will it end?

• Show Centropa film Herbert Lewin (until 4:31)• reflects the time period in Germany,

friendship between a Jew and a gentile.

Brainstorm for ideas from the film:

• Jewry life in Germany prior to war: secular- religious, well –off, past -time gentiles - friendship• During: immigration – escaping –staying(show film until end)

• History teacher will explain what is unknown.

Address Unknown by Hressmann Taylor

• A short story written in 1938 as a series of letters between a Jewish art dealer, living in San Francisco, and his business partner, who had returned to Germany in 1932. It is credited with exposing, early on, the dangers of Nazism to the American public.

• Timeline: 1932 -1934.• Compare the relationship in the story to the film –

Why is there a difference?

• All rights reserved to• Centropa• Ettie Abraham a.ettie@gmail.com