1. The memoir is more of a collection of individual vignettes than a single linear story. How does this impact your understanding of the author's experiences?
2. George's refusal to stay aboard the ship, The Battory, meant a lost opportunity
of escape for himself, but probably is what surely saved his wife and son
from certain death. What role does chance play in George's survival of the
Holocaust? What role does choice play?
3. In the chapter, "Thoughts of April 18, 1985" George reflects
upon his writing and says, "There are hundreds of books on the subject.
Nevertheless, I am a Jew and I write. I'll do it till the end of my days.
If only for my granddaughter, Elizabeth, to know the truth, and not to be
afraid of it. It's funny how we are not afraid to tell the truth." Why
is George's granddaughter such a motivating factor in his drive to complete
his wartime remembrances? What might motivate you to write your memoirs?
4. Many stories seem to have a turning point - a point at which the reader
understands that the future of the people depends upon that very moment. Is
there a turning point in George's memoir? If so, which event would you define
as the turning point? Why?
5. In the chapter, "How Come You Don't Wear an Armband?" George
writes, "The Church was the worst. I'll never forgive them. I would rather
forgive the Germans. Never the Poles. It's actually simple." Why does
George have more hatred towards the Polish people than the Germans?
6. George talks about being able to "forgive but not forget" -
do you think that he ultimately does forgive? Is it possible to achieve this
goal? How does one measure this?
1. Prior to the nineteenth century, painting was not an acceptable trade for
Jews - it was considered to trample upon the commandment against creating
graven images. Moshe chose not only to paint, but to paint scenes central
to the religious life of the Jewish community. Look at a painting such as
"Simhat Torah" and "The
Reader." What does the composition of the painting say about these
moments? What elements do Moshe's paintings emphasize? How does he use light,
color, and texture to create a particular mood? How are these paintings similar?
How are they different?
2. Look at any of the paintings that Moshe Rynecki did prior to the war -
what kind of mood does the painting evoke? Now look at a painting that Moshe
Rynecki did while inside the Warsaw Ghetto. What kind of mood do these paintings
evoke?
3. Is Moshe Rynecki a "Jewish artist" or an artist who also happens
to be Jewish? Is there a difference?
4. Although Surviving Hitler in Poland: One Jew's Story is a memoir that stands on its own, it can also be seen as a companion piece to Jewish Life in Poland: The Art of Moshe Rynecki (1881-1943). In what ways does the memoir supplement your understanding and interpretation of the paintings? Are there any particular passages or vignettes that you can identify as giving you insight into Moshe's work as a whole or into certain pieces in particular?