GPA History students recently learned about the Holocaust using the new film “A Journey Into the Holocaust.” The film, which brings the Holocaust to life through the eyes and voices of fourteeen survivors, uses an extensive collection of historical video, illustrations and photos.
The film screening served as a starting point for the students to begin to understand what life as a Jew was like in Europe before, during and after WWII. They learned of the scale and scope of the genocide, and explored the antecedent social signs that lead to such atrocities. They gained an appreciation for the continuing threat of genocide around the world. Since the Holocaust there have been over 50 genocides or mass atrocities, resulting in the deaths of 12 to 24 million people. Studying the Holocaust provides insight into the roots of genocide, and the importance of being aware of its warning signs, and the need to reduce a continuous global stream of genocidal events, bullying, discrimination and persecution.
The New Jersey Commission on Holocaust Education, whose core mission is to promote Holocaust education in the State of New Jersey, has recommended A Journey Into the Holocaust to all New Jersey middle and high schools, and has begun distributing free teachers’ guides and screening licenses.
Filmmaker Paul S. Bachow’s goal for the film has always been that it be used as an educational tool. Working with Bachow’s film and teaching resources, GPA teacher Stephanie Lewis, guided GPA students through an investigation of the kinds of intolerance and prejudice — things GPA students are no strangers to — that lead such human tragedy. Following the week-long project, Ms. Lewis worked with the class to memorialize their experience in a post on the Film’s blog, “As Seen Through My Eyes: Ways to prevent another Holocaust from the Eyes of a High School Student.”
[blockquote align=”right” variation=”blue” cite=”Stephanie Lewis, GPA Teacher of History”]This documentary allowed the students to realize that genocide can happen anywhere and that no place is immune to the tragedy that can occur when a group of people label, stereotype and scapegoat another group of people. As a result of this movie, the staff in the school have seen a higher level of empathy and thinking towards sensitive subjects from our students.[/blockquote]
Click here to read the entire post and learn more about A Journey Into the Holocaust.
