May 28, 2026

A Day of Haunting History

The assignment for today was for each student to pick a site that was mentioned in their text (Roger Moorhouse’s Berlin at War), get themselves to that site (or what remains of it), then take a picture and reflect on the historical significance of the site. Some students tackled this assignment alone, while others created small groups for their ventures. The sites students visited were powerful and haunting and they are to be commended for their thoughtful and serious approach to the historical and emotional challenge. Some of the students’ hand-on research is depicted in today’s photos.

picture of a destroyed building with one wall standing — Jacob went to Anholter Bahnhof, the second most active train station during Hitlers rule and another major site of Jewish deportation from 1941 to 1945.

close up of a sober person in front of marble sculpture — Eli and Sacha both went to the Levetzowstraße Memorial, the site of the Levetzowstraßen synagogue, where Jewish leaders were forced to turn the synagogue into a collection/transit camp.

picture of people walking away from the camera, along empty railroad tracks. — Casey, Alfred and Lucas went to Grunenwald Station 17, the site of a railway station that was used in the deportation of Jewish citizens under Nazi rule.

Somber person standing in front of the entrance way to a historical building with a cross — Charlie went to St. Jakobi Cemetery, the site of a memorial for those who perished in an Allied bombing in the early days of the war.