Critical Thinking/Discussion Questions - Jack Lorch
1. How do you explain Jack’s motivation for sharing his personal story of the Holocaust?
2. Why do you think that Heinrich Müller, who was the virtual head of the German Gestapo and was the immediate superior of Adolf Eichmann, the man responsible for implementing the Final Solution—annihilation of the Jews—insisted that the 209 Jews being returned from the Orinoco in Cuba (which included Jack’s parents) to Hamburg, Germany were not to be harmed? Why did he insist that no harsh, forceful measures should be taken against these returnees? How could such an “evil” man issue such a seemingly contradictory order?
3. In Jack’s film testimony, Jack discusses the difference between living in the United States and living in Germany. Please review the film at time 4:21. In Jack’s transcript, he states, “Life here was more hectic. More hectic and the all-mighty dollar.” According to the film, Jack stated that he was able to save up $500 while working two shifts in Mississippi. Do you agree with Jack’s assessment of America? Is the focus still on the “all-mighty dollar” or the acquisition of material goods?
1. How do you explain Jack’s motivation for sharing his personal story of the Holocaust?
2. Why do you think that Heinrich Müller, who was the virtual head of the German Gestapo and was the immediate superior of Adolf Eichmann, the man responsible for implementing the Final Solution—annihilation of the Jews—insisted that the 209 Jews being returned from the Orinoco in Cuba (which included Jack’s parents) to Hamburg, Germany were not to be harmed? Why did he insist that no harsh, forceful measures should be taken against these returnees? How could such an “evil” man issue such a seemingly contradictory order?
3. In Jack’s film testimony, Jack discusses the difference between living in the United States and living in Germany. Please review the film at time 4:21. In Jack’s transcript, he states, “Life here was more hectic. More hectic and the all-mighty dollar.” According to the film, Jack stated that he was able to save up $500 while working two shifts in Mississippi. Do you agree with Jack’s assessment of America? Is the focus still on the “all-mighty dollar” or the acquisition of material goods?