High schools offering the option for independent study in history or courses focused on specific historical topics or time periods may be interested in a specially designed Holocaust curriculum. This curriculum fundamentally is a Holocaust survivor story, as it was created by a man who survived and was liberated from the Dachau concentration camp as a teenager.
The Focal Point
In this method of study, one person’s own Holocaust survivor story is the focal point. Students learn how to relate an individual’s experiences to the broader story of this time period.
The Approach
Teachers and parents who feel concerned about whether the topic material is too disturbing or complex for adolescents will be reassured when learning that educators were involved in the design. The approach is intended to be interactive and easy to comprehend. It also should stimulate discussion and be digestible for appropriate age groups.
Remembrance as a Priority
Like most survivors, Ben Lesser, the individual who established this curriculum in conjunction with the Holocaust Remembrance Foundation “Zachor,” believes it’s paramount to ensure that people always remember what happened during the Holocaust. These are the last generations of survivors, with the youngest in their 70s and the oldest beyond 100 years of age.
Not only do Jewish people have Holocaust remembrance as a priority, but additional groups who were significantly impacted as well. The Nazis targeted Romani people and others they deemed as “asocial” or subversive to their goals. They also persecuted homosexuals, the disabled and other population groups.
Improving Knowledge
Recent surveys have uncovered a stark lack of knowledge among young adults regarding Holocaust details. To prevent this problem from worsening in the future, teachers may be interested in learning about the ZACHOR Holocaust Remembrance Foundation at Web.
