"Studying the Holocaust changed the way I make decisions." - Student

Tuesday, February 28, 2012

One Way Holocaust Education Makes a Difference


Last week, speakers bureau member Marie-Anne Harkness spoke to students at Charles Wright Academy in Tacoma. Several days later she received the following letter from one of the students:



Dear Marie Anne,

Thank you so much for taking the time to come to our school and teach us about your family's experiences. Hearing the story of your grandmother Celine was enthralling, and it provoked me to ask question of myself and of the rest of the world. You explained that Celine thought it was normal to save all those Jews and that she saw no choice but to do so, but so many others in Paris at the time thought that it was perfectly normal to turn in their very own Jewish neighbors to the Gestapo. I asked you about this, and you replied that some people just aren't very naturally empathetic. I asked you if empathy could be taught, and you said yes, and that this was the reason why you shared your story with classes like ours. Hearing that seemed to have completed for me the "puzzle" of the Holocaust, and why everyone should study History. In the days since your visit and our class discussions about the Holocaust rescuers, I have felt a stronger moral obligation to stand up for what is wrong that society has accepted nonetheless. So far, I have taken some small steps to improve the world around me. I have been standing up to someone who has been bullying my friend and calling out those who use derogatory language. I have always known these behaviors to be wrong, but the courage to do something about it has been in a sort of locked box inside of me. Your talk helped me open that box. Thank you so much for teaching my classmates and me such an important lesson.

Love,
Hayley

Tuesday, February 7, 2012

Boeing Honors Bob Herschkowitz!

On January 26, 2012, Robert Herschkowitz presented his story of survival during the Holocaust to 80 members of the Boeing Everett Service Engineering Twin Aisle Group as part of their Diversity Lunch and Learn Program. Bob spoke about his childhood in Belgium, escape to France, and experience crossing the Swiss Alps to freedom on foot with his mother, father and baby brother.

In honor of his exceptional performance, Boeing presented Bob with the Boeing Recognition Award.

Bob is past president of the Washington State Holocaust Education Resource Center and active member of the Center’s Speakers Bureau. He has been active in our community as a speaker and Holocaust teacher.
For more information on Bob, see his biography on the WSHERC website.

Teacher Seminars

40 teachers attended last week's teacher seminar on "Teaching about the Holocaust and Genocide" in Bellevue with special guest Dr. James Waller.

See photos from the seminar and the public lecture!

Educators - please join us at one of our next upcoming trainings: Feb. 17 in Bellingham or March 9 in Tacoma!

500 dvds!

More than 500 people have requested and received the Holocaust Center's new educational documentary, "With My Own Eyes"!



Pictured - the Holocaust Center's amazing interns preparing dvds to be sent out.