Max Heller | S.C. Voices: Lessons from the Holocaust

Max Heller was born in Vienna in 1919 into an orthodox Jewish home. His father was a businessman. Heller drew strength from the Jewish community and from non-Jewish friends. Due to anti-Semitism, however, Heller had to fight his way through school and the streets. When Hitler came to power in 1933, there were unimaginable stories. Jewish businesses were confiscated. Jews were not allowed to work or to intermarry. Jewish bank accounts were closed. Jews were made to clean the streets and thrown out of their apartments and businesses. Jewish people were forced into concentration camps where they underwent severe cruelty. Heller and a sister set sights for America in 1938. As they drove away, they became very sad as they watched their parents get smaller and smaller. "American leadership, genius, willingness to bleed, and to liberate Europe saved us from Hitler. Freedom is not free, but earned; to continue, it must be shared everyday."

Standards

• Along with the rest of the world, the United States and South Carolina experienced economic instability during this period. As a result, political instability and worldwide conflict consumed the world in the 1940s. Following World War II, the United States emerged as a world leader through political policies and economic growth.
  • 5.3.CE Analyze the cause and effect of government-sponsored policies within the United States and Europe related to the status of different groups, to include the Holocaust.
• The modern era has seen an increase in global interdependence culturally, economically, and politically since 1920. The advent of technology has fueled the interconnectedness of the world. Civil rights and independence have been at the forefront of this era; however, tensions remain in how to achieve these goals.
  • 6.5.CE Explain the impact of nationalism on global conflicts and genocides in the 20th and 21st centuries.
• This indicator was designed to promote inquiry into military and economic policies during World War II, to include the significance of military bases in South Carolina. This indicator was also developed to foster inquiry into postwar economic developments and demographic changes, to include the immigration of Jewish refugees following the Holocaust.
  • 8.5.CO Compare South Carolina and U.S. wartime contributions and demobilization after World War II.
• This indicator is intended to encourage inquiry into the significant causes of World War I and the impacts of the Treaty of Versailles, including its failure to prevent future global conflicts.
  • This indicator is intended to encourage inquiry into the relationship between World War II and interwar foreign policies, global business cycles, the rise of totalitarian regimes, and postwar alliances. This indicator was also developed to promote inq...