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