In an address to Holocaust survivors, World War Two veterans and individuals who hid and rescued European Jews, President Bill Clinton said “you know the truth. You have enshrined it here.” The place to which the President was referring was the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum which was commemorating its 20th university. Since its inception in 1993 over 35 million people from all over the world have visited the museum. Often the line for admission stretches all the way down 14th Street. In a nation where only six states have mandatory Holocaust education for school students, the museum has provided great resources for teachers, having trained over 10,000 who then returned to their home schools to teach their students about the Nazi atrocities and the Holocaust. On my visit to the museum last week, there were numerous high school groups from all over the United States.
I encourage all teachers who teach the Holocaust to arrange for a museum visit if your school is within a reasonable distance from Washington, DC. Sara Bloomfield, Museum Director, noted that” visitors come to a building deliberately designed to create a feeling of discomfort. The building's architect sends cues to people entering the building that "you're in a different world, like he would say, a world turned upside down."
I would also strongly recommend accessing the museum website- http://www.ushmm.org/education/ Here teachers will find access to lessons, activities, and resource guides. There is even an online teacher workshop. You can also sign up for email updates. If you live in area with Holocaust survivors, please try to invite them to speak to your classes. Most survivors are in their 80s and 90s and may not be able to tell their stories much longer.
C.2013 J. Margolis
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