Thomas Blatt, Survivor of Sobibor, Testifies Today

Thomas Blatt, one of only 53 survivors of the death camp Sobibor, lived for many years in Seattle and participated in the Holocaust Center's Speakers Bureau. He is testifying today against a former guard at Sobibor.

Read article in the Boston Globe

More on Thomas Blatt:

Blatt, Thomas Toivi. From the Ashes of Sobibor: A Story of Survival. Illinois: Northwestern University Press, 1997.

This book is a glimpse of Jewish life through the eyes of a twelve year old boy. The events of his separation from his family, six months in the Sobibor death camp, taking part in a successful uprising and finally the five years eluding Nazis and anti-Semitic nationalists.

Blatt, Thomas. Sobibor: The Forgotten Revolt - A Survivor's Report. H.E.P.; 1 edition, 1997.

"Escape from Sobibor" (DVD)
1999. Starring Rutger Hauer and Alan Arkin. Based in part on Thomas Blatt's story.

The above items are available to borrow from the Holocaust Center's library. Copies of From the Ashes of Sobibor can also be found in the Holocaust Center's high school teaching trunks.

Thomas Blatt's story and artifacts have been included in several of the Holocaust Center's materials, including the "Everyday Objects: Artifacts from Washington State Holocaust Survivors" poster series and the "Studying the Holocaust: Resistance, Rescue & Survival" Seattle Times Newspapers In Education series.

About the Holocaust Center

Education Outreach Intern

Hi all!

My name is Janna Charles and I recently became the Education Outreach Intern at the Washington State Holocaust Education Resource Center. I am currently working towards a double Major in English and Law, Societies and Justice at the University of Washington and have a cultivated interest in both education and human rights. In fact, it was my recent acceptance into the UW's Human Rights Minor that prompted my discovery of the internship position at WSHERC.

I've taken a number of classes on various human rights topics at the University of Washington and am very passionate about the topic! This quarter, I'm exploring conditions of prisoners in Guantanamo Bay in a class at the UW taught by Professor Jamie Mayerfeld. Other classes include: International Human Rights, Philosophy of Human Rights, Disability in Society, Women in Law. Many of the classes that constitute my Major and Minor coursework feature segments on the Holocaust: an extremely significant event on historical trajectory, specifically in regards to human rights.

Though I've only been at the Center a couple of weeks, I've already been engaged in a number of projects and have had a chance to peruse the wealth of resources that greet me every Monday and Wednesday at WSHERC. This includes teaching trunks full of books and other resources, many of which I recognized from my own experiences learning about the Holocaust in elementary, middle and high school. In spite of the short time I've spent with the Center so far, I feel as though I am already on the path toward developing a more holistic view of the Holocaust and getting a feel for the work that the organization is involved in. I'm excited to be part of such an important endeavor!

Miep Gies passes away at age 100

By ARTHUR MAX, Associated Press Writer

AMSTERDAM, Netherlands – Miep Gies, the office secretary who defied the Nazi occupiers to hide Anne Frank and her family for two years and saved the teenager's diary, has died, the Anne Frank Museum said Tuesday. She was 100.

Read more...

Children of Willesden Lane

The Children of Willesden Lane is the true story of Lisa Jura, a young girl who escapes Nazi persecution on the eve of World War II. This Web site offers resources to help you teach the book to middle and high school students.

"I like it because it provides so much for the beginning and seasoned teacher. The book is an easy read and tells a great story. The website is layered with lesson plans, videos, and great material. My students really like this book and always find something to connect them to the personal crisis of the Holocaust. I like it because it is a true story!!" - Teacher, Tacoma

http://www.learner.org/series/cowl/

From a teacher...

Last week at school several recent graduates came by to say hi and told me how much ahead of their peers they were in the field of the Holocaust and genocide studies. I think several just thought it was normal to have the kind of classes you and I provide.

K. (a student) came by also. She had declared her major at NYU - genocide studies!!! She wants to work at an NGO to solve local conflicts in developing nations. Ok, I almost cried when she told me that... Some days I wonder about teaching and if I make an impact at all. Many times I am simply guessing at what the teens will respond to. I do my best, but still I wonder where I could do better - it keeps me up at night. But then, just when I need it, a student will come by and tell me how much something we talked about in class meant to them. In K.'s case, it was the movie "The Courage to Care." She was truly touched by the tragic stories, but filled with hope at what one person can do - if they act.

You and I and providing the experiences that allow students to cultivate the moral responsibility to respond in the moment and not be a bystander. And today, when we both celebrate the season of miracles in our faiths, I thank our God for the blessing he has given me in the Center.

Nick Coddington

- Nick Coddington is a teacher at Charles Wright Academy in Tacoma. Prior to his position as a teacher, he was a career intelligence officer for NATO where he specialized on conflict intervention and conflict resolution strategies. His work in the Balkans from 1994-2005 provided him with a first-hand account of the complexities with predicting and responding to genocide. Nick is an Alfred Lerner Fellow with the Jewish Foundation for the Righteous, and has won numerous awards for his teaching including the the 2007 Robert I. Goldman Award for Excellence in Holocaust Education, the 2008 Spirit of Anne Frank Award, and the 2009 Facing History and Ourselves Margot Stern Strom Teaching Award. Nick serves on the Holocaust Center’s Education Advisory Committee and is a frequent presenter at the Holocaust Center’s teacher seminars.

Nick will be giving a presenation on rescue during the Holocaust at the upcoming teacher seminar on January 29 in Seattle. One of his former students will also be sharing an interactive website she created and used as her entry for the History Day Contest. She placed 4th in the region. More information on this seminar can be found at www.wsherc.org.

Update: Auschwitz sign found

Sign Stolen from Auschwitz is Found

Posted Monday, December 21, 2009

The sign was found cut into pieces in northern Poland. 5 men, in their 20's and 30's have been accused.

Read article in the NY Times:
http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/2009/12/20/world/AP-EU-Poland-Auschwitz-Sign-Stolen.html?_r=2&hp


Theives Steal Aushwitz "Work Sets You Free Sign"
Posted Saturday, December 19, 2009


Thieves stole the notorious sign bearing the cynical Nazi slogan "Work Sets You Free" from the entrance to the former Auschwitz death camp Friday, cutting through rows of barbed wire and metal bars before escaping.









Read article - printed today in the Seattle Times
By VANESSA GERA and RYAN LUCAS
The Associated Press:


http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/nationworld/2010544843_sign19.html?prmid=obinsite

AS #1 Loves Bob H.

Bob H., a member of our Speakers Bureau, spoke last week at AS #1. Approximately thirty 7th and 8th grade students heard his story of survival during the Holocaust. After the presentation, Bob sent us a delightful email:

This morning, I gave a presentation to the class at Northgate's AS#1...The kids were marvelous and I don't believe there is another class in the county with such diversity. It was cold in the class, thus the kids kept their hats on, it was like carnival... One had a big fur hat with ears sticking up, looked like a bear.

After the class I had to sign autographs for all kids. Never understood, what they do with those scraps of paper with my name.

During one of the previous history classes, they learned to do "timelines", and each student made one of my life. It starts with my birth and ends: "Comes to visit our class!". In a nutshell that is my life...They gave me the copies! One of the kids told me that he had decided to go to the US Naval Academy to become an officer.

Loved it.

Give thoughtfully

Stumped on what gift to give to a teacher, relative, or friend this holiday season? Make a tribute contribution to the Holocaust Center and we will send the recipient a Voices for Humanity card acknowledging your gift.

~or~

A set of colorful Writing and Art Contest Cards or captivating Artifact Cards makes the perfect gift to a friend. Great for anyone who wants to learn more about the Holocaust, local survivor memoirs are also for sale.

100% of the proceeds from tribute cards and greeting card sets goes to the Holocaust Center.

Click here to to make a tribute.

Click here to browse the Center's store.

Changing Lives: How one student was affected by hearing a Holocaust survivor

Joseph J., wasn't sure what to expect when he learned that a Holocaust survivor would be coming to speak to his school in Montana.

Klaus S., a survivor of Auschwitz and member of the Holocaust Center's speakers bureau, shared his story with the Montana school back in 2001.

Last month, Klaus received a hand-written letter in the mail from Joseph:

October 4, 2009

Dear Mr. Stern,

I am writing you to say thank you. When I was a junior in high school, about 9 years ago, you came to tell us all your story of survival during the Holocaust. I just want to tell you that you became a personal hero of mine that day. You taught me that life is a precious gift from God and that love endures all and neither should be taken for granted.

Words really cannot describe how much I appreciate you sharing this part of your life with me and everyone else that day. Education is the key to preventing atrocities like this from happening again and you inspired me to dedicate a large portion of my life to studying the Holocaust and stories like yours so that someday I can share that knowledge with future minds.

Before I end this short letter I would again like to say from the bottom of my heart Thank You, Thank you for the gift of knowledge, thank you for sharing your story with so many people and touching so many lives.

Sincerely,

Joseph J.

Eva C. speaks to students at Highline High School

Last Monday I traveled with a member of our Speakers Bureau, Eva C., to Highline High School in Burien. Eva's presentation is unique in that she performs a play of her life titled, "A Staged Memory." I and the 30 high schools students were truly impressed with Eva's performance - indeed at times we felt we were with her in 1930s Germany!

Often times students ask our speakers, "Did you ever see Hitler?" Eva is the first speaker I have heard who could answer yes. As part of her play, Eva reenacted how she and her mother apprehensively stared into a store window to avoid looking at Adolf Hitler in a parade; however, they still could see his reflection.

Bravo to Eva and all the members of the Holocaust Center's Speakers Bureau!

-Lauren Bianchi, Office Manager and Speakers Bureau Coordinator

Choose-Your-Own-Adventure: Student creates interactive biography of Oskar Schinder

Katie W. from Charles Wright Academy in Tacoma, knew little about Oskar Schindler.

"Everyone has seen the movie, 'Schindler's List'," she explains, "but few people actually know much about this person. I wanted to create something that would get people involved and would show them that he had many options open to him. He had to make decisions each step of the way."

Katie's teacher at Charles Wright Academy, Nick Coddington, is credited with giving her the time and inspiration to create this project, which was entered in the National History Day Contest. Katie won the regional competition and placed 4th in the state.

Katie recently presented her work to teachers at the Holocaust Center's teacher training workshop in Tacoma last week. Her outstanding work, her dedication to this project, and her creativity greatly impressed everyone.

Katie created and designed the entire website herself by writing the html code. All of her facts have been checked and double-checked. She provides links to definitions and biographies and even includes short video clips to enhance the story and experience.

http://www.hemispheredm.com/~oskar/

Help Us Receive $25,000!

Have Facebook? Want to support the Holocaust Center?
The top-100 vote getters will receive $25,000!

Do you know the definition of the Holocaust?

Look in textbooks, in the dictionary, and you will find a myriad of different definitions - most of which are incomplete, and some are just plain inaccurate.

The United States Holocaust Memorial Museum, generally regarded as one of the authorities on the Holocaust, officially defines the Holocaust as:

The Holocaust was the state-sponsored, systematic persecution and destruction of European Jewish people by the Nazis and their collaborators between the years 1933-1945. While Jews were the primary target of Nazi hatred, the Nazis also persecuted and murdered Roma and Sinti (Gypsies), homosexuals, Jehovah’s Witnesses, Poles and people with disabilities. Six million Jews were murdered in the Holocaust. Of these 6 million, 1.5 million were children.

How do textbooks define the Holocaust? We'd love to know the definitions you find (and the sources in which you find them). Please considering sharing them here!

Website resources used nationwide

Just yesterday we received two requests – one from Alabama and one from Kentucky – for resources created by two of our Master Teachers - Jo C. and Julie S.

To view the resources from these outstanding educators and others, visit http://www.wsherc.org/teaching/handouts.aspx (You will see Jo’s lessons here if you scroll down a little bit).

These are only two of the many requests we have received for these materials from around the country. Other places include NJ, TN, AK, and others. It’s wonderful to know that when teachers are looking for materials on Holocaust education, they are finding our site and using the materials we are providing!

If you look at our new facebook fanpage, you will also see that people from around the country are becoming fans.