The Number on Great-Grandpa’s Arm

This Emmy Award-winning documentary film, co-presented by HBO and the Museum of Jewish Heritage, introduces Holocaust history to a new generation.

When 10-year-old Elliott asks his 90-year-old great-grandfather, Jack, about the number tattooed on his arm, he sparks an intimate conversation about Jack’s life that spans happy memories of childhood in Poland, the loss of his family, surviving Auschwitz, and finding a new life in America.

Their tender exchange is woven with historical footage and hand-painted animation to tell a heartbreaking story of Jewish life in Eastern Europe before and during the Holocaust. Watch the film from this link. (19 minutes)

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
Lesson Plans
The Museum has created Holocaust education lesson plans centered around The Number on Great-Grandpa’s Arm. These free PDFs (also available through Scholastic) help teachers, parents, and community leaders introduce the Holocaust in an age-appropriate manner.
Lesson Plan for Grades 3–5: Students will learn some basic elements about life during the Holocaust.
Lesson Plan for Grades 6–8: Students will discuss important themes and topics for studying the Holocaust.

VIDEOS
The Studio of Jeff Scher
Artist Jeff Scher guides the viewer on a behind-the-scenes tour of his animation process in bringing The Number on Great-Grandpa’s Arm to life.

Survivor Stories
The team behind The Number on Great-Grandpa’s Arm continues the conversation with short companion films featuring Holocaust survivors talking with kids.