Acts of Resistance: Student Artwork Inspired by Jewish Resistance During WWII
Under the guidance of educator Cara Merrill and Holocaust and Human Rights Center of Maine Education Coordinator Erica Nadelhaft, seventh grade students in Ashland, Maine have undertaken a thoughtful and deeply reflective exploration of Jewish resistance during the Holocaust. Through classroom visits, discussion, research, and artistic interpretation, students engaged not only with stories of armed uprisings, but with the many forms of resistance that emerged in ghettos, forests, camps, and hiding places throughout Nazi-occupied Europe.
Central to this project was an expanded understanding of resistance itself. Students learned about spiritual resistance: acts of dignity, identity, creativity, faith, mutual care, and self-preservation carried out in the face of dehumanization. They encountered histories that challenge narrow definitions of heroism and instead illuminate the many ways people resisted oppression, often quietly and at great personal risk.
The works presented here span a wide range of mediums, including dioramas, interactive installations, written reflections, poetry, and visual art using symbolism, color, and abstraction. Together, these pieces attempt to convey the texture of daily life during the Holocaust while responding to the emotional and moral questions the students encountered through their learning. Some works focus on escape and survival; others grapple with memory, fear, hope, or the preservation of identity under impossible conditions.
Throughout the exhibition, recurring symbols and themes emerge. Word clouds capture ideas of resilience and humanity. Historical references, such as the gate of Auschwitz, ground the work in historical reality while allowing room for personal interpretation. A quotation by Elie Wiesel on the necessity of protest in the face of injustice became a unifying thread, shaping both classroom dialogue and artistic expression.
What distinguishes this collection is the care and seriousness with which these students approached difficult history. Their work reflects not only an effort to understand the past, but also a willingness to ask what it means to bear witness in the present. Through art, reflection, and inquiry, these students demonstrate that learning history is not simply an act of remembrance, but an act of engagement, empathy, and responsibility.
A Photography Exhibit
We are delighted to present a new exhibit, Behind the Lens, featuring the photography of Jack Montgomery, who for more than two decades has documented the lives and stories of Maine Holocaust survivors. His portraits capture moments, expressions, delight while also glimpses of the humanity and resilience of those who endured unimaginable loss but survived, rebuilt their lives with family, friendships, meaningful work and close friendships. These 'out-takes' from the more formal portraits on display in the Michael Klahr Center are a celebration of our founders. Drawn from Jack’s original proof sheets, the portraits reveal moments of trust, reflection, laughter, and connection between Jack and his subjects. They invite visitors to engage with history personally, reflecting on the power of photography to capture an essence, a moment and a life.
A newly published book
From the Holocaust to Maine: Testimonies of the Survivors is Jack’s just-published book showcase the portraits and survivor stories. Writes Jack, “The things we save can become the means for our recovery. I am moved by every aspect of these stories … And I am forever grateful to the survivors for giving us this record, which no amount of denial or historical revisionism can ever erase. We are in their debt.” With gratitude to a very generous donor, these books will be distributed to schools that teach students in grades 6-12, as well as public libraries throughout Maine. The content is also available online and may be copied by schools and teachers for educational purposes only. If you would like to buy a copy of the book, please email us at info@hhrcmaine.org.