The Yellow Star
Cxxxxxx
Mxx. Pxxxxx
English 9
22 March 2013
The Yellow Star
Jews were not much different from other citizens in the 1930s. They were teachers, doctors, farmers, and factory workers. Their social status ranged from wealthy to poor. Their children attended school, learned a trade, or continued on to college for a degree. The Jews, however, were different than other citizens due to their Jewish beliefs. During World War II a symbol of their beliefs, the Star of David, was used to identify and label them. The Star of David was made into a Yellow Star icon which became a symbol of separation and humiliation for the Jews.
The Star of David was the symbol that the Jews adapted for their religion. When looking at the star, you see two sets of triangles, but upon further inspection there is a hexagon surrounded by six little triangles. According to Psalm, “The Lord is my strength and my shield...” (“The New”). This psalm relates to the star because it represents how God is their strength and their shield. The middle of the Star of David looks like a shield that protects the Jews, and with this protection they receive affirmation of God’s strength to cope with everyday life.
With this example in mind, during World War II, Hitler decided to use a star as the symbol to identify and label the Jews. He used the shape of the Star of David and made a Yellow Star badge. He used the color yellow because it stood out, so anyone who saw the yellow star would know that the person wearing it was different. The star also had the German word “Jude” in the middle, which means “Jew” in German (“Holocaust”). Jews were required by law to wear the star on the front of their shirt or coat every time they went out in public. Regardless of age, child or elder, the star had to be worn. If they were caught not wearing the star, they would be punished, fined, or even killed (“Holocaust”). In 1941, Inge Auerbacher, a six year old Jewish girl, said, “I was so little, and the star seemed so
Mxx. Pxxxxx
English 9
22 March 2013
The Yellow Star
Jews were not much different from other citizens in the 1930s. They were teachers, doctors, farmers, and factory workers. Their social status ranged from wealthy to poor. Their children attended school, learned a trade, or continued on to college for a degree. The Jews, however, were different than other citizens due to their Jewish beliefs. During World War II a symbol of their beliefs, the Star of David, was used to identify and label them. The Star of David was made into a Yellow Star icon which became a symbol of separation and humiliation for the Jews.
The Star of David was the symbol that the Jews adapted for their religion. When looking at the star, you see two sets of triangles, but upon further inspection there is a hexagon surrounded by six little triangles. According to Psalm, “The Lord is my strength and my shield...” (“The New”). This psalm relates to the star because it represents how God is their strength and their shield. The middle of the Star of David looks like a shield that protects the Jews, and with this protection they receive affirmation of God’s strength to cope with everyday life.
With this example in mind, during World War II, Hitler decided to use a star as the symbol to identify and label the Jews. He used the shape of the Star of David and made a Yellow Star badge. He used the color yellow because it stood out, so anyone who saw the yellow star would know that the person wearing it was different. The star also had the German word “Jude” in the middle, which means “Jew” in German (“Holocaust”). Jews were required by law to wear the star on the front of their shirt or coat every time they went out in public. Regardless of age, child or elder, the star had to be worn. If they were caught not wearing the star, they would be punished, fined, or even killed (“Holocaust”). In 1941, Inge Auerbacher, a six year old Jewish girl, said, “I was so little, and the star seemed so
Cited: "1939: The War Against the Jews.” Holocaust Chronicle. Illinois: Publications International, Ltd., 2000. Print. Adler, David A. We Remember the Holocaust. New York: Henry Holt and Company, 1986. Print. “Holocaust Badges”. American’s First. Holocaust Memorial Center, n.d. Web. 13 Mar. 2013. Levine, Karen. Hana’s Suitcase. Illinois: Albert Whitman & Company, 2002. Print. The New American Bible. Nashville: Thomas Nelson, Inc., 1897. 574. Print.