Writing Prompts - Ernest Freudenthal

Prompt 1

Ernest states, from the transcript, “Well, I’m very positive about it. I have always identified with the values of our religion, the ethical values, that are really the basis of all religion, and I take pride in our achievements as intellectuals and also I feel very positive about it. I got no problem with it.” Write an essay that both summarizes and analyzes how he feels about the core values of his religion. Be sure to cite specific evidence to support your analysis.

Prompt 2

Ernest was involved in a Zionist group at about age 10. From the transcript: “Well, I was involved early on, say about 1930, when I was about 10 years old, in a group called HaShomerHaTzair which means The Young Guardian and this was one of the early Zionist groups. And later on, I was in another one called the [Werklade (sp) 0:10:03.6] which is a German name for another group.”  Write an essay that summarizes Ernest’s experience with Zionism and why this was so important to him at such a young age. Be sure to cite strong and thorough evidence from both the film and the transcript to support your argument.