By saving almost the entire Jewish community under Nazi-occupation, Denmark serves as an example how to protect our humanity. This book shows that ‘Never again’ is more than a deep-felt wish, it is a matter of choice.
Ronald Leopold, Executive Director, The Anne Frank House
Developed in partnership with Illinois Holocaust Museum & Education Center, Hour of Need: The Daring Escape of the Danish Jews during World War II is a graphic novel that shares the true story of how the people of an occupied nation risked their lives to evacuate their Jewish countrymen.
When Nazis moved to round up Danish Jews in a surprise raid in 1943, families were forced to make life-and-death decisions to save their lives. Overnight, they became refugees at the mercy of strangers organizing their escape. Hour of Need is a tribute to these strangers – ordinary citizens who defied the Nazi regime – and how their heroic actions saved Danish Jews.
Winner of the 2024 Claus Deleuran Award for Best Danish Comic!
PURCHASE YOUR COPYHour of Need is supported by the Abe and Ida Cooper Foundation.
“Hour of Need” Educator Guide
Developed by the Museum in collaboration with Humanus Network, this guide provides activities, primary sources, and case studies of individual Danes to integrate Hour of Need and the story of Denmark during the Holocaust into your classroom. Download the guide below.
HOUR OF NEED: A TEACHING TRUNK FOR THE GRAPHIC NOVEL (GRADES 6-12)
As a part of the Museum’s Teaching Trunk program, a brand-new mini traveling teaching trunk is available with 35 loaned copies of Hour of Need. These traveling trunks also contain the Educator’s Guide and classroom activities, created in collaboration with the Humanus Network, as well as other materials to provide context and explore other perspectives of this remarkable story.