Glossary

Arbeitsgemeinschaft deutsch-arischer Fabrikanten der Bekleidungsindustrie (English: Working Group of Aryan-German Textiles Manufacturers). A voluntary association of private manufacturing firms in Germany dedicated to the elimination of Jewish businesses from the German textiles and fashion industry. Founded in May 1933, it supported boycotts and expropriation (Aryanization) of Jewish businesses in an effort to “reclaim” the German fashion industry.

Official Nazi term for Germany’s annexation of Austria on March 13, 1938. It marked a significant step in the Nazis’ goal towards for territorial expansion. 

Discrimination, persecution or hatred directed against Jews. Antisemitism was a central tenet of Nazi ideology.

Term used by the Nazis to refer to a mythical German “master race” of Northern European Caucasians. The Nazis believed the "Aryan” race was superior to all other races. According to the Nazis, the ideal "Aryan" was tall and strong, with blond hair, blue eyes and a prominent jaw. 

A classification, or label, given by the Nazis to individuals or groups perceived as unfit and undesirable for society and community life. It included people whom the Nazis saw as unproductive or “deviant." The Nazis perceived them as a threat to the health and purity of the “Aryan" race. This label was often applied to: individuals experiencing poverty, homelessness, drug and alcohol dependencies, gender diversity, unemployment, work in the sex trade, or involvement in the criminal system. 

A Nazi concentration and death camp complex which operated during the Holocaust. Located in Poland, it was the largest camp of its kind and the site of immense suffering and mass murder.

The false allegation that Jews used the blood of Christian children for ritual purposes. The blood libel, together with allegations of well poisoning, were a common pretext for Jewish persecution and violent riots against Jews from the Middle Ages well into the 20th century. 

Camps operated by the Canadian government to hold “enemy aliens” (see definition). During the Second World War, Canada operated more than 20 internment camps. Jewish refugees and Japanese, Italian and German citizens were among those interned in the camps. They were considered to be a threat to Canada’s national security.

Individuals, groups or governments who assisted the Nazis during the Holocaust. 

Camps established by the Nazis to imprison the so-called enemies of the Nazi regime. This included political and religious opponents, Jews, Roma, LGBTQ+, Slavs and others. Concentration camp prisoners experienced forced labour, torture, dehumanization and death. See also: Death Camps.

Nazi camps designed to systematically murder Jews during the Holocaust. The Nazis established six death camps: Auschwitz-Birkenau, Bełżec, Chełmno, Majdanek, Sobibor, and Treblinka.

The forced removal and transportation of people from their homes to other places. During the Holocaust, the Nazis deported Jews to ghettos, concentration camps and death camps. “Resettlement” was the Nazi euphemism for such deportation.

Individuals forced to flee their homes or countries due to war, persecution or conflict. 

Temporary camps set up after the Second World War to shelter people who could not to return to their former homes. DP camps were often established on the sites of former concentration camps. Many thousands of Jews remained in DP camps for years waiting to immigrate to other countries.

Mobile killing squads of the Nazi SS during the Second World War. They were responsible for mass shootings of Jews, Roma and others. The Einsatzgruppen were often assisted by collaborators.

Term used to describe people who were citizens of a foreign country at war with Canada. For example, when Canada declared war on Nazi Germany, German citizens in Canada because “enemy aliens.” Enemy aliens were considered a potential threat to national security, as suspected spies.

A meeting of delegates from 32 different countries met in July 1938 to discuss the rising crisis of Jewish refugees seeking to flee Nazi persecution. During the conference, delegates expressed concern for the refugees but no country, expect the Dominican Republic, offered a practical reform to their immigration policies.

The euphemism used by the Nazis to refer to their plan for the systematic murder of European Jews during the Holocaust. 

Work carried out under force or threat of punishment, often under harsh conditions. During the Holocaust, millions of people worked as forced labourers in camps and ghettos. 

Enclosed spaces designed for mass killing during the Holocaust. Poisonous gases were released into these locked chambers, causing death to those inside.

The United Nations Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide defines genocide as any of the following acts committed with intent to destroy, in whole or in part, a national, ethnical, racial or religious group, as such:

1.        Killing members of the group;

2.        Causing serious bodily or mental harm to members of the group;

3.        Deliberately inflicting on the group conditions of life calculated to bring about its physical destruction in whole or in part;

4.        Imposing measures intended to prevent births within the group;

5.        Forcibly transferring children of the group to another group.

The secret state police of Nazi Germany, known for its brutal methods. The Gestapo was responsible detecting, arresting and interrogating suspected opponents of the regime. This often led to imprisonment, torture and execution.

A limit on the number of individuals permitted to enter a country as immigrants and refugees. In the 1930s, most countries had quotas or restrictive immigration policies against Jews. This prevented Jewish refugees from fleeing Nazi persecution.

A religious group known for its distinctive beliefs and practices. The Nazis persecuted Jehovah's Witnesses because they refused to swear allegiance to the Nazi regime.

Someone of the Hebrew or Jewish people. Someone who is either born into or converts to Judaism, the religion, philosophy and way of life of the Jewish people.

The religion of the Jewish people. Judaism first emerged in the territory of Judea (now part of modern-day Israel) in the Middle East. Jewish communities later appeared in almost every part of the world due to migration and forced exile.

A rescue operation that saved Jewish children from the Nazis between December 1938 and May 1940. Almost 10,000 children left their parents behind and travelled to safety in Britain. Many never saw their parents again because they were murdered during the Holocaust.

A violent attack initiated by the Nazis against Jews in Nazi Germany, Austria and Czechoslovakia. Also known as the Night of Broken Glass, it took place on November 9 – 10, 1938. Hundreds of Jewish-owned businesses, homes and synagogues were destroyed. Thirty-thousand Jewish men were arrested and sent to concentration camps. About 100 Jewish men were killed.

Acronym for the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community in use since the 1960s. During the Nazi regime, these groups were persecuted under criminal laws with a particular focus on gay men. 

The term for a member of the National Socialist German Workers' Party, led by Adolf Hitler.

Antisemitic laws introduced by the Nazis in September 1935. The Nuremberg laws defined Jews as a separate race. People with three or four Jewish grandparents were classified as Jews. This was the case even if they or their parents had converted to Christianity. Jews were stripped of their German citizenship and civil rights. Jews were forbidden to be married or have sexual relations with non-Jews. 

Members of armed groups who fight secretly against an occupying force. During the Second World War, partisan groups organized to sabotage Nazi operations. This included groups of Jewish partisans who operated in forests and ghettos.

A violent and organized attack upon Jews carried out by local non-Jewish populations. Pogroms involved destruction of property, physical violence and loss of life. They were often encouraged or tolerated by the authorities.

Persons captured and detained by an opposing military during armed conflict.

Biased or misleading information designed to influence public opinion or behavior. Propaganda is used to promote a particular political or ideological agenda.

A Jew trained and ordained to serve as a religious leader of a Jewish congregation.

Someone who has been forced to flee his or her country because of persecution, war or violence.

A title bestowed by Yad Vashem, the World Holocaust Remembrance Centre in Israel. The title is awarded to non-Jews who risked their lives to save Jews during the Holocaust.

A European ethnic minority whose ancestry is traced to modern-day India and Pakistan. They were once known as “Gypsies” based on the mistaken belief that they originated from Egypt. The Nazis viewed the Roma as an inferior and asocial race. During the Second World War, the Nazis murdered over 500,000 in the Roma genocide.

List containing the names of about 1200 Jewish inmates at the Plaszow forced labour camp. It was created by German industrialist Oskar Schindler and his Jewish assistants. Schindler saved all 1200 Jews on the list by negotiating with the Nazis to move them to his factory in Brunnlitz. This prevented them from being deported to death camps. Schindler paid the Nazis a large sum of money to reach this deal.

A protective passport issued by a neutral country to protect individuals at risk of persecution. During the Holocaust, some diplomats in Europe issued schutzpasses to Jews to save them from deportation to death camps. 

A global conflict that lasted from 1939 to 1945. The Allied Powers -- the United Kingdom, France, Canada, the Soviet Union and the United States -- fought against the Axis Powers -- Nazi Germany, Italy, and Japan (later joined by Bulgaria, Hungary, Romania and Slovakia).

Abbreviation for schutzstaffel, the German word meaning “protection squad.” The SS was the most powerful unit in the Nazi Party. It controlled the police, security, and concentration camp systems of German-occupied Europe. The SS was responsible for planning and carrying out the murder of the Jews of Europe.

A stateless person is an individual who is not considered a citizen by any country. During the Holocaust, many Jews became stateless because their citizenship was revoked.

The place of worship for the Jewish people. It is where religious services, prayers and ceremonies take place. Synagogues also serve as centres for study, learning and community activities.

The prayer shawl worn by observant Jewish men during morning prayers and certain religious occasions. It is typically made of wool or cotton and has fringes (tzitzit) on the four corners, and rows of solid stripes at either end.

A set of small black leather boxes containing scrolls of parchment inscribed with verses from the Torah. They are worn by observant Jewish men during weekday morning prayers.

The name of the Nazi regime in Germany led by Adolf Hitler from 1933 to 1945.  

A scroll containing the text of the Torah handwritten on special parchment. The Torah consists of the first five books of the Hebrew Bible. It is considered the most sacred religious object in Judaism.

A peace treaty signed between Germany and Allied countries (United Kingdom, France, the United States, and Italy) on 28 June 1919 marking the end of the World War I. The treaty held Germany responsible for starting the war and included extensive punishments such as the dissolution of Germany’s military, loss of land and territory, and the payment of reparations.

The mass arrest of over 13,000 Jews, including 4000 children, in Paris on July 16-17, 1942. The arrests were carried out by French police under the direction of the Nazis. The Jews were rounded up and held in the Velodrome d'Hiver (Winter Cycling Stadium) for days. They endured intense heat and overcrowded conditions without food, water or ventilation. Most were ultimately deported to Auschwitz-Birkenau. 

An authorization or permit that allows a person to enter and remain in a foreign country for a period of time. During the Holocaust, visas were critical for Jews trying to escape Nazi Germany.

A meeting on January 20, 1942 of 15 high-ranking Nazi officials to discuss the “Final Solution to the Jewish Problem.” The meeting was held at a villa in the Berlin suburb of Wannsee. During this meeting, the Nazis planned and coordinated efforts to murder all the estimated 11 million Jews living in European countries, including the Soviet Union. Following the Wannsee Conference, the Nazis built four new death camps and adopted wider use of Zyklon B as a method of killing. 

A lethal poisonous gas used by the Nazis during the Holocaust for mass murder in gas chambers.