It was an honor to accompany 12 high school educators from Ohio and Kentucky to Poland through the Auschwitz Legacy Fellowship, a flagship program of the Auschwitz-Birkenau Memorial Foundation. Together, we explored the vibrant legacy of pre-war Jewish life in Warsaw and Kraków, and confronted the unfathomable loss and cruelty inflicted at Auschwitz-Birkenau. As a museum Holocaust educator, I returned more fully equipped to teach this history with integrity, understanding, and a deep commitment to our shared humanity. This was a transformative experience—one I will be reflecting on for months to come.
The Auschwitz Legacy Fellowship is designed to equip teachers with the tools, knowledge, and emotional preparedness needed to teach the Holocaust meaningfully and responsibly in American classrooms. The program brings together educators from across the country who have completed six months of online learning before traveling to Poland for a week-long educational experience.
During our journey, we visited key historical sites in Warsaw, Kraków, and Oświęcim, including three days at the Auschwitz-Birkenau State Museum. We took part in in-depth guided tours, visited museums, met with leading scholars and educators, and participated in workshops at the International Center for Education about Auschwitz and the Holocaust (ICEAH).
These experiences were not only intellectually rigorous but also deeply personal. Standing on the grounds of Auschwitz-Birkenau, I felt the weight of history in a way that no textbook or photograph could convey. Witnessing the remains of this place, while remembering the vibrant Jewish communities that once thrived in Poland, underscored the urgency of preserving these stories and ensuring they are passed on with accuracy and compassion.
I am grateful to the Auschwitz-Birkenau Memorial Foundation for its commitment to preserving memory and authenticity, and for empowering educators to carry these lessons forward. Our shared goal remains clear: to ensure the lessons of Auschwitz reach students in all 50 states and inspire future generations to stand against hatred and injustice in all its forms.
