Orange in Winter

'An Orange In Winter: The Beginning of the Holocaust As Seen Through the Eyes of a Child' is the authentic story of a young Jewish boy, Walter Less, growing up in Germany in the 1930s and his friend. Walter, the author's father, told her the true story of a poor boy who brought the gift of an orange to his birthday. The author named the anonymous boy Hans and used his gift as a metaphor to compare and contrast the lives of both boys. Walter is the son of a prominent Jewish merchant, Leopold Less and his wife Anna, whose store is in Luneburg, Germany. He has two siblings and grows up in a comfortable home. Hans is the son of a poor warehouseman who works for Herr Less. His family has suffered greatly, as did most Germans, from the ecocomic crisis resulting from Germany's defeat in World War I. While Hans is a composite character, all he experiences is based on authentic accounts. After January 1933, when the Nazis come to power, the lives and viewpoints of the two friends change radically. Walter is expelled from high school; Hans becomes a proud member of The Hitler Youth. The story describes Hitler Youth indoctrination; the expulsion of Jews from public schools and professions, the horrors of Reichkristallnacht, the Sachenhausen Concentration Camp, and the many obstacles Jews faced while trying to flee Germany. What happens to Walter's family and to Hans, as he becomes conflicted by Nazi rules and behaviors, illustrates how and why such horrific events evolved into the 'final solution.' By learning about these events as seen through the eyes of these two children, readers can gain a personalized understanding of how the dark, evil shadow of the Nazis infiltrated the lives of people in one German city. Walter and Hans are appealing and empathetic children. The plot, dialogue, and settings draw readers into the difficulties and decisions the characters face. Enhanced by primary source material, photographs, documents, maps, timelines, a glossary and discussion questions, the book may be read independently or as part of a self-contained or interdisciplinary curriculum unit. Its short length and simple language make it eminently readable for students 10 years and older as well as by adults. It can also provide a context for additional non-fiction and fiction books about the Nazis and the Holocaust. The discussion questions encourage readers to delve more deeply into complex issues (propaganda, indoctrination, the evolution of a dictatorship, prejudice, hatred, discrimination, bullying) from an historical perspective and to reflect on how these timeless issues personally relate to the readers' social, political, and moral beliefs and experiences. The author closely collaborated with The History Workshop of Luneburg, whose mission is to 'tell the story' of all Jewish families in Luneburg, to commemorate the victims, and to educate present and future generations about racism and genocide. In 2013, a linden tree was planted opposite the site of the destroyed the Jewish temple to honor the Less family. The Luneburg Museum now houses her family's menorah, returned to her by a former citizen of Luneburg, and her father's tallit. The story has been used in German high schools. The author has taught workshops for teachers and students in Germany and the U.S, From Dr. Elie Wiesel, Holocaust survivor and Nobel Peace Prize recipient: 'Your efforts to teach your students about the importance of memory will surely make a difference in their lives.'From Sachsenhausen: 'What a great source of knowledge your book is for our work. Our (1938) exhibit is focusing on the fate of over 6,300 Jewish men...their persecution, their attempts to flee...and making a new life in exile... Bringing together fictional and autobiographic elements is enriching and innovative...We are particularly grateful for the many documents and photographs. We are very grateful to rely on your book as an important testimony.'