The Bielski Partisans
Created by Felix S., Louie S., Andrew B. & Liam A.
A family of brothers who led a group of fighters in the forest of Eastern Europe, saving over 1,000 Jewish people from the Nazis (1942-1945)
The Tree of Isolation
Artist Statement
The Bielski Partisans lead a resistance group in the Naliboki forest (modern day Belarus). Their main goal was to save Jews. The Partisans weren’t scared of hurting Nazis, but they did if it was necessary. They lived in the forest for almost 2 years and at one point had almost 1200 Jews in their community. Every time they save a Jew they would stay with the Bielski partisans. To the four brothers the tribe was the most important. Not one individual but the tribe. Tuvia, the oldest, the leader, and the one who would give speeches to the community. He was known as the most dedicated. Zus, commonly known as the strongest. Never scared of a fight, and would occasionally pick one with the Nazis when the four brothers would go to rescue Jews. Asael, the smartest, the one with the brains. He was the one that kept everyone organized, made sure that the community stayed safe. Aron, the youngest known as, The Scout. The Bielski brothers parents died in 1941 which lead to the brothers going in fleeing in the forest where they had to resist against the Germans for years
After researching the Bielski Brothers and the remarkable work that they did we had the idea to make an artifact called The Fighting Tree . The Fighting Tree represents the resistance and determination the Bielski Partisans had against the Nazis. Even though they had a lack of weapons compared to the Nazis they kept fighting and with their heart and soul they saved many lives.
The first symbol is the axe that represents the Nazis always putting constant pressure on the Partisans. The tree is the Bielski Partisans because even though they had many hits taken on them from the Nazis they never gave up which was their greatest strength. The roots of the tree represent the many paths and routes the Bielski Partisans took to homes and ghettos to save 1,200 Jews. The blood all over the artifact is the constant battles and fights the Bielski Partisans and Nazis had with each other which lead to death and loss. Lastly the sign on the back that says “We will find you” represents the anger the Nazis had for the Bielski Partisans which had them going out of their way to hunt all of the Partisans down.
