Terezin – the WWII Nazi lie of “Work Frees”

Terezin was a Jewish ghetto in a former resort town just a bit north of Prague. It was a converted 18th-century fortress and held Jewish prisoners from many countries. Many of the Jewish people held there were well-known scholars or musicians or other educated people, because for a while the Nazis told people that they could pay to go to a special Jewish camp with private residences and scenic views, so many rich and educated jews including many musicians, artists and doctors and other professionals paid the fees and then found out the truth. Because of the propaganda usage of the ghetto (well-known for the Red Cross visit where they filmed the treatment of the Jewish people living there), they were treated better than most prisoners and were allowed some self-governance and some cultural life (concerts, plays and other entertainment from the musicians and actors that arrived) and medical care (from the doctors and nurses that arrived).

Even with the comparatively loose restrictions on the camp, additional changes were needed when the Red Cross visited. For example, at that time they would stock it with food, and cafe seating, and nicer clothing. Because they didn’t want to waste too much, they planned a very specific route around camp that was planted with Jewish prisoners who were willing to agree they were treated decently.

The camp had the Arbeit Macht Frei sign that the Nazis loved– Work Frees. But of course, it didn’t. Many people were held at Terezin for a while then shipped off to concentration camps to die (sometimes these people were chosen by the Jewish governing group). However, tens of thousands died here, because of malnutrition and disease from the lack of food and living conditions.

We went here the same day we went to Lidice and the combination is quite somber.