Teaching the History of the Holocaust: The Mission of the JFCS Holocaust Center
The Jewish Family and Children’s Services Holocaust Center in San Francisco is not just commemorating the Holocaust on Holocaust Remembrance Day; it is dedicated to teaching the history of this horrific event every day. The center, led by Morgan Blum Schneider, serves as a hub for learning, educating, researching, and remembering the atrocities committed during the Holocaust.
At the heart of the center’s mission are the gray boxes, each containing a story. These boxes hold artifacts that serve as tangible reminders of the millions of Jews who lost their lives during the Holocaust. One of these artifacts is a Star of David, which Jews in the Netherlands were forced to wear as a sign of their identity. Children as young as five had to have these stars sewn onto their clothing. These artifacts play a crucial role in helping teachers educate students about the Holocaust, with over 100,000 students benefiting from this program each year.
The importance of sharing personal stories of persecution and survival becomes even more significant as time passes. With nearly 80 years having passed since the end of World War II, the Holocaust survivor generation is slowly fading away. The average age of Holocaust survivors now exceeds 85 years old. However, despite their advanced age, many survivors are actively sharing their experiences with resilience and hope in classrooms across California.
This commitment to education is particularly vital at a time when acts of antisemitism are on the rise, according to the Anti-Defamation League. As Blum Schneider emphasizes, Holocaust education is also anti-Semitism education. A comprehensive curriculum should include survivor testimonies, primary source documents, and activities that encourage critical thinking skills among students.
By incorporating survivor testimonies and primary sources, teachers can provide students with a more dynamic and authentic understanding of the Holocaust. Hearing firsthand accounts from survivors allows students to connect emotionally with the events of that time and fosters empathy and compassion. Moreover, engaging with primary sources helps students develop critical thinking skills, enabling them to analyze historical evidence and draw their own conclusions.
The work of the JFCS Holocaust Center is not limited to preserving artifacts and educating students; it also serves as a reminder of the resilience and hope that emerged from the darkest period in human history. Each gray box encapsulates not only stories of dehumanization and suffering but also stories of survival and resilience. By teaching the history of the Holocaust, the center ensures that future generations do not forget the horrors of the past and remain vigilant against the forces of hatred and bigotry.
