“Students with Holocaust education have more pluralistic attitudes and are more open to differing viewpoints.”
“Students exposed to Holocaust education demonstrate higher critical thinking skills and a greater sense of social responsibility and civic efficacy if survivor testimony was part of their experience.”
In September, a survey was conducted and released by Echoes & Reflections, the ADL, USC Shoah Foundation and Yad Vashem. The survey of 1500 college students showed that students who had received Holocaust education in high school were more empathetic, tolerant, and engaged students.
These results prove what we already knew that Holocaust education is an important way to engage students in learning what they need to become active citizens.
One does not need a government mandate to ensure that the Holocaust is part of the state standards and curriculum. In fact, Holocaust education can thrive and be effective if we are committed to ensuring it is taught effectively in our schools by well-trained educators.
The Nancy & David Wolf Holocaust & Humanity Center exists to ensure the lesson of the Holocaust inspire action today. We invite all of our supporters to help us fulfill our mission by promoting Holocaust Education in our schools.
WHAT YOU CAN DO
If you or someone you know is a member of a school board or PTA, use your voice to let people know why Holocaust education is important.
Teaching the Holocaust allows students
- To understand the Holocaust was a global event with worldwide repercussions that are still with us today.
- To understand the Holocaust did not happen outside of history, that it was intertwined with World War II and was triggered by ancient hatreds (antisemitism and racism) and socio-political ideologies.
- To explore the choices individuals, organizations and governments made that legalized discrimination and allowed prejudice, hatred, and ultimately mass murder to occur.
- To understand that democratic institutions and values need to be appreciated, nurtured, and protected.
- To create empathy and relatable personal connections through survivor testimony, allowing self-reflection to raise awareness of current events and how they can make a difference.
- To nurture critical thinking and historical literacy skills.
ASK QUESTIONS
- Does your district or school teach the Holocaust?
- Who is teaching the Holocaust and how are they teaching the Holocaust?
- Do they need resources? Training?
BE AN UPSTANDER (TAKE ACTION)
- Arrange FOR PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITIES FOR EDUCATORS who teach or want to teach the topic effectively.
- Promote visits to NANCY & DAVID WOLF HOLOCAUST & HUMANITY CENTER MUSEUM and other Holocaust museums.
- Arrange a HOLOCAUST SPEAKER for your administrators, school board and PTA members.
- Educate yourself about the Holocaust and speak out against misinformation, Holocaust denial, antisemitism, and racism.
For more information about how you can contribute to ensuring the lessons of the Holocaust inspire action today, contact Jodi Elowitz, HHC’s Director of Education & Engagement, at [email protected] or by phone at 513-487-3055.