Please examine these questions before, while, and after you read Haven.

Freedom in American Society
1. The collective beliefs that America was founded, in part, on the idea of religious freedom and has served as a fresh start for many groups seeking refuge from oppression have sometimes been at odds with actual historical events. How do books such as Haven help us understand this conflict?

2. In Haven, Ruth Gruber’s own story is woven together with that of the refugees. What is the historical value of this personal story? How does her personal story help us to become better historical thinkers?

3. In Haven, the dialogue is a convincing force in confronting the question of power. How does Gruber’s belief in the power of persuasion repeatedly influence government officials and others? How does the role of the press play into the power of the government as well as the power of Gruber’s words?

4. The power of public opinion can serve to circumvent legitimate authority. In what ways did the restrictions on immigration change as a result of public opinion? What strategies did Gruber and others use to change the hearts and minds of those in authority in favor of the refugees? What were the probable limits of their impact?

5. Choose another issue in current American society and trace some of the likely factors and perspectives that might influence the decision-making?

Self and Society
1. At what point in the book did Gruber come to understand that she was connected to the refugees on a level other than as escort?

2. How did this revelation help her to empathize with fellow Jews as a people?

3. In what ways did this awareness shape her determination to seek freedom for the refugees from their confinement in Fort Ontario? How did this effort affect her role as a government emissary?

4. What factors, in addition to their religion, shaped the reactions, behaviors and beliefs of the refugees as they lived at Fort Ontario? What influences helped unite them?

5. To what extent do you think some of the refugees began to create a new American identity for themselves? What aided this process?

Tolerance and Intolerance in the United States
1. How does Haven help us to understand the often sharp division between humanitarian efforts of people and other forces that influence government?

2. In what ways does the book demonstrate the power that one or several individuals can wield against the forces of bureaucracy?

3. In what ways were the people of Oswego affected by the arrival of the refugees from Europe?

4. To what extent did the religious orientation of the refugees serve as a barrier to their rescue and their acceptance into citizenship?

Student Questions
Use the space below to record your own questions after reading Haven.

1. What bothered, intrigued or inspired you? What would you like to know more about?