Ruchama asked Liza M. Wiemer:

Was it hard/painful to write the the anti-semitic parts in The Assignment?

Liza M. Wiemer Hi Ruchama, thank you for your important question. On April 4, 2017, when I found out about the real assignment that initially inspired this story, I was stunned that any teacher would ask students to be Nazis and argue in support of their hateful actions. At the same time, I was also inspired by the courage of the real teens who spoke up against the assignment. (Check out The Story Behind The Assignment: https://www.lizawiemer.com/the-story-...) When I started doing research for the novel, I discovered many similar assignments. It was painful and challenging to take those experiences and fictionalize them, but absolutely necessary. In the novel, addressing antisemitism, racism and other forms of hatred was difficult because it's a mirror to the worst of humanity. It also forced me to confront the horrible antisemitism I've faced in my life. But in writing the book, I also had the opportunity to show how kindness, compassion, tolerance, and love can transform.
Since I finished the novel, the vast majority of my days have been devoted to speaking out against assignments like this and empowering others to utilize their voices to make this world a better world. I've given numerous workshops on what it takes to be an upstander. And I find strength in this.
Seven years ago, when I began this journey, I could never have imagined the kind of hatred we're seeing in society today. But throughout this journey, I've met many extraordinary people who bring light into this world through their goodness, kindness, and compassion. They give me hope. They are hope. Our world needs a lot more hope. So as hard as it is to address such painful topics such has antisemitism, racism, bullying and other forms of hatred, I'm grateful and humbled to be able to do this tireless work.
Thank you for reading the novel. 😍

flag