The organizational chart represents the extremes of evil and innocence. Every Nazi leader listed, starting with Adolf Hitler, Führer of Germany and the Nazi party, and Victor Arajs, leader of  the Latvian Auxiliary Security Police, were responsible for the misery and death inflicted upon 3985 Jews imprisoned at the Jungfernhof concentration camp. With rare exceptions, Latvian civilians living under Nazi occupation and Austrian civilians absorbed into greater Germany following the Anschluss were participating actors in a complex system of hatred and murder. The Jews, including a small number of Christians with Jewish ancestry deported to the camp, were identified as the victims.

Strong feelings of affinity within the Jewish community counteracted the murderous intent of the SS officers in charge of the camp. For example, Jewish prisoners designated as community “police” also performed benevolent duties, capturing the defiant spirit of those imprisoned at the camp. Prisoners, identified as Jewish victims, also demonstrated voice and leadership as rabbis, doctors, dentists, nurses, and teachers.

A small group of nine teachers created moments of hope and inspiration for students at the Jungfernhof concentration camp. Without paper, pencils, and books, they taught subjects ranging from art, religion, English and French, mathematics and music. In this dire environment, their creativity and optimism represented a remarkable expression of resistance and courage.

An additional story of courage entails a nameless old Latvian woman, who risked her life to leave a container of soup every day for two young teens imprisoned at the camp. Working as shepherds while on the brink of starvation, these two boys now living survivors named Herbert Mai and Fred Zeilberger, credit her with saving their lives.

While this comprehensive chart appears as a straightforward, hierarchical listing of what might be called “work assignments,” consider for a moment the emotional subtext emanating from these different groups. What feelings might lie below the surface of this chart? How do we remember this history? What do we remember?