Right Risk

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Kurt Hahn was Adolph Hitler’s first political prisoner.¹ In January 1933, one month after Hitler came to power, Hahn was jailed for openly challenging the Fuehrer’s actions. Hahn was the founder of the Salem School, a school that focused on character development through the use of experiential education techniques. Upon learning that Hitler had sent a congratulatory telegram to five storm troopers who had murdered a young Communist by stomping him to death, Hahn had written a letter to all Salem alumni, telling those with ties to the SS to “terminate their allegiance either to Hitler or to Salem.”² For thumbing his nose to Hitler, Hahn was imprisoned. He was released a few months later, but being of Jewish origin and having just had a foreshadow ...