And Then They Were Gone: Teenagers of Peoples Temple from High School to Jonestown

Judy Bebelaar and Ron Cabral were both instructors at Opportunity High, a public alternative school in San Francisco when, in September of 1976, Jim Jones enrolled all the Temple teenagers there. Within nine months, most had been sent to Guyana. Jones had told them that Jonestown was a tropical paradise where they would help create a model society. But by the time the young people arrived, Jonestown had become a jungle prison camp with hard labor and harsh punishments. On November 18, 1978, 918 people-one-third under eighteen, one-half in their twenties or younger-perished in the murder/suicides, the largest number of American civilians to be killed until September 11, 2001. Judy Bebelaar will talk about the idealistic young people from the Temple she and Ron met at Opportunity. The book follows their students to Jonestown and tells about the few survivors. To quote Judy from the Preface, “We hope this story about our young students-their hopes, their poetry, their efforts to help make a better world-will bring some light to the dark story of Jonestown.”
And Then They Were Gone: Teenagers of Peoples Temple from High School to Jonestown by Judy Bebelaar and Ron Cabral has now won ten honors and awards, including four first prizes; the most recent a first from Chanticleer International Book Awards, the Nelly Bly journalistic writing contest. The book is available at your local bookstore via Ingram and Amazon.com.
Seen through the eyes of two of their high school teachers, this book is a work of love and fond memories. It is also a testament to how youth and innocence can be hijacked. The dead cannot speak, yet Bebelaar and Cabral have done just that. It was comforting to hear their voices once more. --Deborah Layton, author of Seductive Poison: A Jonestown Survivor’s Story of Life and Death in the Peoples Temple

[@johnaddeo2251]

After almost 43 years, the tragedy of Jonestown still haunts me. I was 19 when the news hit and shocked the world. Through all these years, I have continued to devour every new account of what happened there. Now, with the internet, so much is right at our fingertips. So much of it tells the same basic story. Your account of the young lives that endured Jones’ maniacal reign of terror is both fascinating and informative. Thanks!

[@rwlwrestlingleague2975]

I was facebook friends with Vernon Gosney before he passed away. He never spoke about it, but I was very happy he survived.

[@eej1983able]

I have compassion for all the victims. Unless you've walked a mile in someone else's shoes we can't judge them

[@callmemonkh9020]

They were gullible fools. Woke up too late.

[@gilsgal6094]

I remember when Jonestown happened. I was a year out of my senior graduation from high school. When ABC news broadcasted the first image of the scene over the Pavillion, the country was in shock. Jonestown was the talk of my school. I am sure every school. I just purchased this book. Thank you for remembering the young kids, who were under tyranny, and were powerless to do anything.

[@susanhicks2300]

I'm so glad you are giving this subject the reverence and tenderness it deserves. The more I understand the tragedy for its truth the more humanness is revealed.

[@emexokezie7796]

Well said indeed.. I find myself constantly educating people on this ultra important episode in our lifetime!

[@jeromeswanson9265]

Love this! What a respectful and wonderful presentation.

[@springstownewildcat]

This video is a piece of history unto itself capturing communications during the Covid lockdowns! Was a teacher during those crazy days … drummed up some ptsd watching this thinking about the struggles trying to teach online !!!

[@joekoski1080]

This story is about the saddest I've ever heard.

[@rca6576]

I had not heard of this book but, I would love to read it. I often wonder how these kids managed at Jonestown and how they were before their parents got involved in this cult.

[@scarlettbutler2873]

These poor teens. None of us can even imagine the existence they lived. You know, through the years I have brainstormed ideas of how the US or someone could have rescued these people but I think, especially toward the end it would have been impossible. That or there would have been extreme bloodshed as Jones had his armed men and so many of the people were so beaten down in everyway plus they were half starved. True respect and love for all of these souls that were lost.

[@steeveekeys1904]

I was 17 when the Jonestown tragedy unfolded.. This was my generation that died in the jungle. I do not believe for 1 second that those independent minded teenagers voluntarily committed suicide. We are not getting the whole story of the actual suicide event. This was a well orchestrated killing operation performed with military precision. Other sinister parties were involved and I believe escaped justice. I appreciate this reverent memory of my generations' Jonestown victims...the teenagers. May God bless them. Some of us will never forget.

[@neilcooper9508]

The only murderers there were the parents of the children I don't beleve the adults were forced iv studid this case

[@philyeary8809]

​@@neilcooper9508Dr Mootoo differs on your take. I trust Mootoo.

[@neilcooper9508]

Its hard to say realy but I value your opinion Neil england

[@neilcooper9508]

This was a mass suicide it wasent mass murder at all as meny beleve apart from the kids thay were hachuly religious fanatics to begin with or holy rollers but for 1 reason or another thay started worshipping jones himself like he was there god

[@athenageorge9047]

@@neilcooper9508it was definitely mass murder, they were forced into it, they had no other option then to die that day one way or another. They had gun men on them waiting to shoot anyone who didn’t “willingly” drink the poison, they shot people and forcefully injected the ones who refused, they didn’t have a choice, it was murder. It’s only suicide when you willingly choose to do so without force.

[@BarryDMoss]

I remember cooking with Judy and Danny Hallinan. We made tamales from scratch.

[@nicoladanher6838]

Beautiful people xx Tricked n trapped xxx uk

[@neilcooper9508]

The only 1 I have respect for out of out of them jones town lot is david Parker wise and I all so excuse the children

[@urszulagromadzka9880]

Bat ler? Rit ter? Par riz Rizei?

[@Canyon2023]

Maybe everyone can learn something from this and AS AN ADULT take responsibility for yourself.

[@urszulagromadzka9880]

Roume

[@joelash2312]

This lady is one of the most bleeding heart liberals I have ever seen soo non judgmental though. Wonder if she's the type that calls black conservatives sellouts she doesn't seem like it but if you give these people just a little bit of truth they literally turn into ravenous barking dogs

[@MENFUSSMIKE]

Keep wondering

[@ernestodelaserna9494]

Good thing conservatives are never given even a little bit of truth, nor possess such to give to anyone else.

[@rca6576]

Way to make a tragedy all about you.

[@jake8855]

Jim Jones was awesome! Greatest prophet in history!

[@jake8855]

Hail Jim Jones!!!

[@athenageorge9047]

Yeah he was 😂

[@annamartin3489]

What a sick person you are. What if you had been in their shoes??? I will pray that you come into the knowledge of the real Jesus Christ.