CONTEST OVERVIEW
Students are asked to write about an individual or group that shows moral courage.
Moral courage is the ability to take a strong stance on a specific issue and to defend it based on one’s personal beliefs or convictions regardless of danger or threats to personal safety - physical, emotional or otherwise.
Read each of the following steps which are designed to help students understand the meaning of moral courage. Offer examples from the Holocaust and prepare students to choose a topic essay.
Step 1 - Follow the directions on the Educational Overview page to learn about:
- Nazi occupation of various countries in Europe
- Basic history of the Holocaust
- Rescuers and non-Jewish resistance
- Personal stories
Step 2 - Complete the Reflection sheet.
Step 3 - Choose and research an individual or group that demonstrated moral courage in a historic or current event. Be sure to discuss the topic with your teacher. Your topic may include individuals or groups in historical events such as:
- Rescuers of victims of the Holocaust
- Civil Rights
- Literary subject dealing with moral courage
- A historical topic covered in your classroom
- Genocide in Rwanda, Bosnia, Cambodia, Darfur, Sudan, Kenya, the Congo, Zimbabwe or Chechnya
You may, of course, explore an area not mentioned here. If you have questions, please direct them to essaycontest@ihene.org.
Please review the Suggested Resources for links to information regarding the Holocaust and other genocides around the world.
Step 4 - Write an essay including:
- Research on your chosen person or group of people and the related historical event(s). Provide cited background information in your essay.
- A reference or connection to the Holocaust or lessons learned about the Holocaust if your chosen topic is outside the scope of the Holocaust.
- A description of how the individual/group took a stand against social injustice and exhibited moral courage.
- A detailed explanation of why this information is meaningful to you.
Continue to Educational Overview
