Miracle at Moreaux
- Balance Learning Resources
- Jan 1
- 5 min read
Updated: Sep 2
Grade Level: 6-8
Duration of video: 54 minutes
Themes: Empathy, Up-standers, Moral Courage
Description:
An exciting, endearing film about how a Catholic nun, Sister Gabrielle (played by Loretta Swit), and a group of Christian school children in France helped three Jewish children escape the Nazis. Due to antisemitic lies their parents told them, the Christian children are, at first, not very friendly to these unexpected Jewish strangers. In a short time, however, the children develop a strong bond. Despite their very real fear of Nazis, the Christian children show love and courage in helping their Jewish brethren escape to Spain.
Note: The exact details of this story are fictional, but the film is a compilation of true stories about Jewish children during the Holocaust.
Themes:
1. Fate of Jewish children during World War II.
2. Lifestyle of Christian children during World War II.
3. Antisemitism: fear of the unknown.
4. Understanding each other.
5. Taking courageous risks to help those in need
Introductory Questions before viewing the film:
1) Under the Nazi regime, were any Jewish children able to escape? How?
2) In Nazi-occupied territories, what happened to a Christian who hid and protected a Jewish person?
3) There were quite a few Christians who risked their lives to save Jews. These people are called “righteous gentiles.” There is a whole avenue dedicated to them at Yad Vashem, Israel’s Holocaust Museum. Do you know any famous righteous gentiles? [Raoul Wallenberg (1912-1947) was a Swedish diplomat who saved thousands of Hungarian Jews in World War II. He handed out Swedish certificates of protection, and he housed many Jews in buildings that were under Swedish protection.]
4) Why do you think righteous gentiles risked their lives to save Jewish people?
Questions and areas for discussion after viewing the film:
Note to teacher: Before your lesson, go over the questions, circle those you would like to use in class. Lead the discussion based on these questions.
1) Who was the man helping the children find their passer and reach the border?
2) Besides fighting the Nazis, what else did the resistance fighters do?
3) Daniel comforted Anna while the man went to get food for them. What kind of person is Daniel?
4) When Sister Gabrielle saw the man stealing bread, she said, “You’re stealing from children.” He responded, “I’m stealing for children.” What did the man mean when he said this?
5) How do you think the Jewish children felt when the man was shot?
6) At that moment, how was Sister Gabrielle brave and fast thinking?
7) At dinner, Louis accused Anna of not talking. Why didn’t Anna talk?
8) Daniel and Sabin went to get Anna. Where did they have to get to before sunset the next day?
9) What horrible antisemitic lie did Dominique tell the other children? Who told Dominique that lie?
a. What did Sister Gabrielle tell the children about Mary, Joseph, and Jesus that helped to put the Jews in a better light?
b. How do you think Daniel, Sabin, and Anna felt as the Christian children were discussing such lies about them?
10) When Major Braun suddenly came to the chateaux, who hid the three children without being told to do so? What did the major see in Andre’s room that was strange?
11) Sister Gabrielle called a meeting with the Christian children. What did she ask of them? Do you think the sister was a good role model? Why?
a. Jeannette asked, “Why are the Jewish children in such terrible trouble?” What did the nun reply? Do you agree with her? Explain.
b. Why did the sister strike Dominique? Do you think it was right of the sister to do this?
c. Why must we guard our tempers when we are under pressure?
12) How did the Christian children show that they were quick to learn the teachings of the sister?
13) What happened to Daniel and Sabin’s families that made the Christian children realize their own worries were minor?
14) When Anna was lost in the chateaux, she wiped Dominique’s tear. Do you think that this helped Dominique see Anna in a different way?
15) At one point, Daniel explained the Chanukah story. How did the Chanukah story sound like what was happening in Europe at the time?
a. Why do you think Sabin started to sing a song that translates as, “How good and how pleasant are brothers dwelling together?”
b. How did the sister correct her mistake with Dominique?
16) Why didn’t Major Braun want to go in and just take the three children? What was his plan?
17) Dominique said that she wanted to disguise herself as Daniel. She said, “It’s the only right thing to do. Isn’t it?” What was she trying to tell the sister?
18) Andre found a mezuzah in Daniel’s suitcase. What was Daniel’s explanation of what it is? [A mezuzah is an object with Biblical verses inside that Jewish people put on their door posts.]
19) While the children were changing, the sister was praying. How come?
20) Describe the plan that the children used.
21) Why did the sister want the children to pray and say Psalm 23 before they went outside?
1. Why did Daniel say his prayer?
2. Why did the sister give Anna the pendant of the Saint? How do you know that Anna appreciated it?
22) How did the sister make sure the Nazis follow the Christian children?
a. Why do you think Sergeant Schlimmer did not report the Jewish children once he found them?
23) When Andre brought the Jewish children to the stone house, how do you think he felt?
a. Why did Daniel give Andre his mezuzah?
24) Since Louis was the youngest, the major thought he could get information out of him. What was Louis’ answer, and how as it extremely clever?
a. How do you think the sister felt as she heard Louis’ words?
25) How did Dominique feel at night, after the successful escape?
26) Philip found a lit Chanukah candle. What message do you think the sister and the children read into this mini miracle?
27) How do you think this experience permanently changed both the Jewish and Christian children?
Activities:
1) In small groups, ask the students to write adjectives that describe the character traits of the various people in the movie. Discuss which traits the characters have in common, and which they do not. Ask the students to write (or share verbally) how they can develop these positive traits and stay away from the negative ones in their own lives.
2) Have the students imagine they are either Daniel, Sabin, or Anna. Have them choose a scene from the movie and write their thoughts and feelings during that scene.
