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This publication is generously supported by the Ernest (Ernie) Weiss Memorial Fund. Produced by the Sarah and Chaim Neuberger Holocaust Education Centre, UJA Federation of Greater Toronto. Concept and content development: Carson Phillips, Ph.D. Editorial assistance: Rachel Libman Design: Martin Joly CONTENTS Foreword Dr. Kathrin Meyer. ............................................................................................................................................................ p.8 Introduction Dr. Carson Phillips ......................................................................................................................................................... p.12 Pedagogy Dr. Karen Shawn ........................................................................................................................................................... p.16 The Poetry of Artefacts: Teaching Through Fragments Left Behind Kay Andrews ................................................................................................................................................................. p.28 Witness Memories in the Classroom: Challenges and Opportunities of Visual History Testimony Karen Polak ................................................................................................................................................................... p.36 Teaching about the Genocide of the Roma History Dr. Doris L. Bergen ........................................................................................................................................................ p.58 The Holocaust as World History Dr. Robert Jan van Pelt .................................................................................................................................................. p.66 Untrumpable: Auschwitz, the Other Camps, and the Memory of the Holocaust Dr. Emily Amie Witty. ...................................................................................................................................................... p.80 Universal and Particular: Teaching the Holocaust as a Jewish Event Practice Martin Hagmayr ............................................................................................................................................................. p.90 Teaching About the T4 Dr. Carson Phillips ....................................................................................................................................................... p.104 Using Archival Photographs to Teach About the Holocaust Dr. Lauren Granite, ...................................................................................................................................................... p.112 Redefining Holocaust Education: Centropa as a Resource for the 21st Century Dr. Carson Phillips & Dr. Emily Amie Witty. ..................................................................................................................... p.120 Holocaust Questions from the Field: Real Questions Asked by Real Students Appendix 1 ......................................................................................................................................................... p.138 Contributors ....................................................................................................................................................... p.140 About the Neuberger .................................................................................................................................... p.146 The members of the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance are committed to the Declaration of the Stockholm International Forum on the Holocaust, which reads as follows: 1. The Holocaust (Shoah) fundamentally challenged the foundations of civilization. The unprece dented character of the Holocaust will always hold universal meaning. After half a century, it remains an event close enough in time that survivors can still bear witness to the horrors that engulfed the Jewish people. The terrible suffering of the many millions of other victims of the Nazis has left an in delible scar across Europe as well. 2. The magnitude of the Holocaust, planned and carried out by the Nazis, must be forever seared in our collective memory. The selfless sacrifices of those who defied the Nazis, and sometimes gave their own lives to protect or rescue the Holocaust’s victims, must also be inscribed in our hearts. The depths of that horror, and the heights of their heroism, can be touchstones in our understanding of the human capacity for evil and for good. 3. With humanity still scarred by genocide, ethnic cleansing, racism, antisemitism and xenophobia, the international community shares a solemn responsibility to fight those evils. Together we must uphold the terrible truth of the Holocaust against those who deny it. We must strengthen the moral commitment of our peoples, and the political commitment of our governments, to ensure that future generations can understand the causes of the Holocaust and reflect upon its consequences. 4. We pledge to strengthen our efforts to promote education, remembrance and research about the Holocaust, both in those of our countries that have already done much and those that choose to join this effort. 5. We share a commitment to encourage the study of the Holocaust in all its dimensions. We will promote education about the Holocaust in our schools and universities, in our communities and en courage it in other institutions. 6. We share a commitment to commemorate the victims of the Holocaust and to honour those who stood against it. We will encourage appropriate forms of Holocaust remembrance, including an annual Day of Holocaust Remembrance, in our countries. 7. We share a commitment to throw light on the still obscured shadows of the Holocaust. We will take all necessary steps to facilitate the opening of archives in order to ensure that all documents bearing on the Holocaust are available to researchers. 8. It is appropriate that this, the first major international conference of the new millenium, declares its commitment to plant the seeds of a better future amidst the soil of a bitter past. We empathize with the victims’ suffering and draw inspiration from their struggle. Our commitment must be to remember the victims who perished, respect the survivors still with us, and reaffirm humanity’s common aspiration for mutual understanding and justice. FOREWORD Kathrin Meyer, Ph.D. 9 HOLOCAUST EDUCATION IN PEDAGOGY, HISTORY, “We share a commitment to encourage the study of the Holocaust in all its dimensions. We will promote education about the Holocaust in our schools and universities, in our communities and encourage it in other institutions.” Stockholm Declaration on the Holocaust (see p.1-2) AND PRACTICE In the year 1998 then - Swedish Prime Minister, process of uniting governments to form the Goeran Persson, was deeply shocked to learn unique 31 member country intergovernmental that a worryingly high number of Swedish High body which is now known as the International School students lacked appropriate knowledge Holocaust Remembrance Alliance. of the Holocaust. Barely half a century after the Second World War, the Holocaust – an event which What Persson recognized - and indeed what had fundamentally challenged the foundations this volume entitled Holocaust Education in of civilization – was beginning to recede into the Pedagogy, History, and Practice confirms – is shadows of history. that when we teach about the Holocaust, we are not only teaching history. By reflecting upon Recognizing the crucial role that education about the moral and spiritual questions raised by the the Holocaust plays in the historical and civic events of the Holocaust, we raise awareness education of young people, Persson began the of the dangers of prejudice and discrimination. 11 HOLOCAUST EDUCATION IN PEDAGOGY, HISTORY, AND PRACTICE I take this opportunity to thank all scholars and educators for their efforts I take this opportunity to thank all scholars and educators for their efforts keep the stories of the Holocaust alive, ensuring that they remain forever seared in our collective memory. seared forever keep the stories of the Holocaust alive, ensuring that they remain Executive Secretary International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance Dr. Kathrin Meyer Kathrin Dr. the topic of Holocaust education. to to Holocaust education being developed around the globe. to Holocaust education being developed around and new and inspiring insights on foundation both a strong provide this publication can my hope that It is Netherlands or a university in Canada. And as this publication with its wealth of expertise from around around Netherlands or a university in Canada. And as this publication with its wealth of expertise from is much to be gained by sharing best practices and strategies for overcoming the globe shows, there approaches and projects the innovative by impressed to be I continue national borders. challenges beyond There will come a time when the survivors and other witnesses will no longer be among us to share their will come a time when the survivors and other witnesses will no longer be among us to share There the in classroom in a whether we teach educators face, that all universal challenge is a memories. This generations to find strength and joy in diversity. It was with all this in mind that the IHRA dedicated a great It was with all this in mind that the IHRA dedicated a great and joy in diversity. generations