Why Study the Holocaust?

Whether you live in Central Africa, in China, in the South Pacific or in Switzerland, you have to be aware of the danger that genocide presents. Education about the Holocaust ultimately means to remove humanity as far away as possible from that extreme form of mass murder. Learning about this universal history can engage students in a critical reflection about the shared heritage of humanity, the roots of genocide, and the necessity to nurture peace and human rights to prevent such atrocities in the future. What does it mean to deny the Holocaust and other genocides-To deny the systematic mass murder, discrimination, hatred, and desecration of civil rights? Logic would tell us that these types of actions are condoned and will be repeated.

- Professor Yehuda Bauer
Global Authority on Holocaust

Projects funded by the Dr. Arnold D. Kerr Holocaust Education Grant

Middletown high school students perform "The Diary of Anne Frank"

Middletown high school students perform "The Diary of Anne Frank"

Pathways to Success students receive a copy of the graphic novel, "Hidden in Plain Sight," based on the first-person eyewitness testimony of Holocaust survivor, Terry Dannemann

Pathways to Success students receive a copy of the graphic novel, "Hidden in Plain Sight," based on the first-person eyewitness testimony of Holocaust survivor, Terry Dannemann

Padua Academy students create artwork for the Mordechai Anielewicz Creative Arts Competition held in Philadelphia. One of their entries won first prize.

Padua Academy students create artwork for the Mordechai Anielewicz Creative Arts Competition held in Philadelphia. One of their entries won first prize.

Pathway to Success students upon their return from visiting the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum.

Pathway to Success students upon their return from visiting the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum.

The Everett Theatre where, Middletown, Odessa, Townsend area high school students performed, "I Never Saw Another Butterfly"

The Everett Theatre where, Middletown, Odessa, Townsend area high school students performed, "I Never Saw Another Butterfly"

Design Thinking Academy students display tiles they created for their Holocaust tiles project.

Design Thinking Academy students display tiles they created for their Holocaust tiles project.

What Students Are Saying

“Creating art for the (Mordechai Anielewicz Creative Arts) competition is a way of expressing the pain of the Holocaust of the past, and the genocides of the present. It’s still relevant. It is very sad that some people just don’t value human life. I will always be grateful to the Holocaust education committee for the opportunity to learn about the evil side of human nature, so I can never remain indifferent and always opt for goodness, not evil...”

— Padua Academy

"We should always speak up when we and others are singled out for discrimination. I am African American and have felt discrimination many times and I know my family has too. Thank you for teaching us that we are not alone and that Hitler and the Nazis hated Africans too...We must never let anything like the Holocaust happen again, that is what I learned today...We must love and not hate..."

— Middletown High School

“The most important thing I learned from you is that hatred and discrimination happens to lots of us...The lessons learned from the Holocaust apply to all of us...You told us that we are all members of the human family...”

— Pathways to Success

“Thank you for visiting my class today. I learned so much. I never knew about the Holocaust and what happened to the Jewish people. I don't know any Jews where I live, but I know what it is to be hated. Black people like me are hated all the time. The video you showed with Alexandra Linett reminded me that being bullied is not new and that we need to speak up and not remain silent…”

— Laurel High School

"Thank you for taking time to come to our school...the story about the photograph of your great-grandma was so touching...I will always remember the value of learning about the Holocaust, and how it has, and will affect life today...I will never forget your message about genocide...your documentary proved that the Holocaust was not fake."

— Centerville Layton School

“After going to the Music School of Delaware to see Alma Rosé: A Portrait in Music, I was able to put myself in the shoes of some of the victims. I was so moved by the music and the excerpts that the vocalist was telling the audience. The music played on this Holocaust Remembrance Day (Yom Ha'Shoah) was absolutely amazing. The pace that some of the violinists could play was incredible. I also tried to visualize prisoners working while the music was playing. The fast-paced parts of the songs were when the prisoners were working and getting yelled at by the SS guards to move quicker or do their job. Then when there was a slow pace of the music, I pictured the prisoners all laying on their “beds” wondering if they’ll make it out alive. The song at the end almost brought tears to my eyes. The English translation of the song was very intense. The vocals of the singer were outstanding and added more emotion to the song.”

— Jewish Studies Program, University of Delaware