Learning Activities

This learning activity introduces students to the story of Gino Bartali, an Italian cyclist who used his talents to participate in the rescue of Jews during the Holocaust. The activity is online to facilitate the viewing of the movie and answering of questions. The film has been divided into seven parts. Post-viewing, there are suggested activities and projects for elementary, middle, and high school classes. 

Sugihara’s actions during the Holocaust, while heroic, are also unique. Rather than intervene and assist the Jewish people, as Sugihara did, thousands of witnesses to the atrocity sat idly by, even when their lives were in direct physical proximity to the horrors as they unfolded. This lesson is designed to have students reflect on and discuss Sugihara’s psychology and the broader context he navigated to determine to what extent these factors played a role in his actions.