This lecture by renowned Czech historian and Holocaust researcher Pavel Batel explores the crucial role of the Terezín Ghetto during World War II. Batel reveals how the Nazis used Terezín to deceive the world, masking the suffering within—especially among its youth. He highlights the inspiring resistance led by Rabbi Leo Baeck and Freddy Hirsch, whose leadership helped young people preserve their dignity and support one another despite the horrors.
An expert on Terezín, Batel has interviewed survivors across eight countries and shared their stories through books, documentaries, and international lectures. He has trained guides for Yad Vashem and the Museum of Jewish Heritage, and his work has been featured by the BBC, I24 News, and leading academic platforms.

Terezín, deceptively presented by the Nazis as a model resettlement camp, concealed horrific suffering—especially for elderly and prominent German Jews left to die in inhumane conditions. Yet amid the darkness, a remarkable story of spiritual resistance unfolded.

Led by Rabbi Leo Baeck and youth leader Freddy Hirsch, young Zionists embraced the motto, “A Jew will never leave another Jew behind,” creating a culture of unity, compassion, and hope. Historian Pavel Batel brings this forgotten chapter to life through rare survivor testimonies and Nazi archives, revealing a powerful legacy of courage and solidarity that still resonates today.