Reflect on The Exhibit

This exhibit touches on many themes relevant for understanding our lives and the world around us. Explore the objects that comprise the exhibit in new ways by joining the global dialogue below.
Narrow your options:
Home Identity Ben Peres Name Change Affidavit

Name Change Deposition

On March 25, 1953, Benzion Peresecki had his final name change. This time, he was choosing it for himself.

Why do you think Benzion would want to change his name? How do you think taking a new name would affect his identity? How would it relate to his memories of childhood when he no longer shares the last name of his deceased father and brother?

Comments Off on Name Change Deposition
Identity Chiena's Admission to Stutthof

Stutthoff Intake Form Showing Chiena’s Peresecki’s Entry

This Nazi document from July 1944 lists the names, birthdates, origins, and prisoner numbers of new camp inmates. It lists Chiena's name as Chjena Persecki.

What do you think would be the impact on Chiena of losing her name and being assigned a number? What are some ways we are assigned numbers in our current societies and how do those numbers change our interactions with others?

Comments Off on Stutthoff Intake Form Showing Chiena’s Peresecki’s Entry
Identity Ben's Kaufering Jacket Flat

The Jacket

Benzion Peresecki’s concentration camp jacket from the Kaufering Labor Camp. It shows his prisoner number was 84679.

Notice the staining on the front of the jacket and the hand stitching of an interior pocket sewn under the prisoner number. If you found this garment at an estate sale, how would you go about verifying its authenticity?

Comments Off on The Jacket