Milkweed Allusions

MISHA AS A ROMA

NAZI CONCENTRATION CAMPS

HANUKKAH

Uri gives Misha the identity that he is from a large Roma family that was separated due to bombings. The Roma are an ethnic people who have migrated across Europe and have a rich, family-centered culture. They have faced discrimination and persecution for centuries.

Residents of the Warsaw Ghetto rose up to prevent the deportation of Jews to Nazi-run extermination camps using smuggled weapons from April 19-May 16, 1943. The Nazis razed the Ghetto with bombs and tanks, killing thousands, and blew up the GreatSynagogueof Warsaw.

Concentration camps held innocent people as prisoners. The Nazis set up camps in their effort to destroy the Jewish people along with LGBTQ, disabled, Russians, Poles, Roma, and anyone who opposed them. Their main function was genocide.

Misha and Janina smuggled food by sneaking through a small hole in the Ghetto wall. It was extremely dangerous, but conditions were so dire that many children smuggled to keep from starving to death. The penalty for smuggling was execution.

Hanukkah is a Jewish holiday celebrating the historic, incredible victory of the Maccabees over the large Syrian army. Just a day's supply of oil in a Temple lasted for eight days. The miracle is celebrated for 8 nights, with a candle lit on the Menorah each night.

Dr. Janusz Korczakwas a Polish Jewish, doctor, social worker, educator, and author who isbest known for his heroism when incarcerated in the Warsaw Ghetto. He refused offers of rescue and accompanied the nearly 200 orphaned children who were forced to the concentration camp at Treblinka.

MILKWEED ALLUSIONS