Page 16 - Jewish News_December-2020

16A December 2020 FEDERATION NEWS

Holocaust education zooms forward

By Jessi Sheslow, Director of Community Relations
ver the many months since to them via Zoom. As Rifka told her me, especially when she started talking learned more from her than from the
COVID-19 arrived in our story of being a child at the beginning, about how the Jewish Hungarians movies because hers was a firsthand
Obackyard, I was concerned during and end of the Holocaust, the helped fight in World War I only to be experience we got to listen to and learn
that the distance and change in teach- students were enthralled and received hated and killed in the next war.” from.”
ing style would put a strain on our abil- her message loud and clear. She said, “After watching the presentation, “It was an honor to hear your story.
ity to provide Holocaust survivors to “Love wins over hate, always be kind, I was very moved by her story. She It’s unbelievable to hear some of the
speak to students. We did not want to and don’t listen to people who want opened my eyes to the reality and situations you and many other inno-
put the lives of our survivors at greater you to hate someone else because they struggles that many Jewish people ex- cent people experienced. It is my job
risk. Plus, the schools are taking extra are different.” perienced throughout the Holocaust. to learn about this so I can help prevent
precaution by halting outside guest We heard from some of Mr. I thought the presentation was great this from ever happening again.”
speakers from entering the classrooms. Brown’s students after the class was and I’m very thankful for her being The Jewish Federation of Sara-
Thankfully, the Zoom platform with over: able and willing to share her story sota-Manatee is proud to be able to
its virtual technology is available for “This presentation meant a lot to with us.” provide this experience for our stu-
more than just the student/ “Listening to her story made me dents and teachers in Sarasota and
teacher experience. feel sympathetic for her, and the mil- Manatee counties. To learn more about
AJ Brown, a dedicated lions of other Jews who were unfor- our Holocaust education initiatives,
teacher at Riverview High tunately killed during the Holocaust. contact me at jsheslow@jfedsrq.org or
School who teaches the Ho- After listening to her, I feel that I 941.343.2109.
locaust Studies class and is
part of the Heller CRC But- Generations After
terflies of Hope Holocaust
teacher training, asked if he lives on
could have a survivor speak
to his class. Mr. Brown’s stu- By David Grace, Generations After Chair
dents are incredibly lucky hy are we still talking about distinct purpose. The members of the
that our own Rifka Glatz the Holocaust in 2020 and group want to maintain their unique
was comfortable speaking Rifka Glatz Zooms with Riverview High School students Wwhy do we need a Genera- connection to the Holocaust and to
tions After group? We are talking about become an integral part of the local
Courtyard membrance) has no ending timeline. members go into local schools and oth-
THE the Holocaust because “Zachor” (Re- Holocaust Speakers Bureau, whose
er organizations to educate about the
Zachor means to remember the Holo-
AT MICHAEL’S ON EAST caust journeys of our family members Holocaust and share their stories.
and our collective Jewish community, At our first meeting, which was
Safe, socially-distant, outdoor dining and that the acts committed against held via Zoom, we discussed how and
is NOW available Tuesday-Saturday!
the Jewish people are genocide. These when we will share our Holocaust
RESERVE ONLINE points are all valuable teachable mo- backgrounds. We are in the process of
www.BestFood.com ments. Holocaust deniers will never go creating a schedule for the group that
away, therefore it is our job to remind will include informative presentations,
people of the truth and help them un- book and movie discussions, and les-
sons on how to research our family’s
derstand the terrible destructive power
Laugh your that is hatred. history and create our own “story.”
Laugh your
The Generations After group is a
For more information about the
tuchus off!
tuchus off! of Holocaust survivors. While it might Generations After group, contact Jessi
newly formed group for descendants
Heller CRC or to learn more about the
seem a bit strange, even morbid, for
Sheslow at jsheslow@jfedsrq.org or
such a group to exist, it does serve a
941.343.2109.

SIGN UP TO GET

SHOW
SHOW THE SCOOP!
with
Noam Shuster

:
December 31 • 10:30 AM
December 31 • 10
30 AM
LIVE FROM ISRAEL
LIVE FROM ISRAEL
via Zoom, political comedienne,
Noam Shuster will be entertaining
our community in a pre-New Year’s Eve celebration!

Noam says she believes politics and comedy
feed off of each other. “Politicians are the $10.00 per
best comedians we have right now. household
And comedians are the best
Do not miss this
politicians we have right now.” Do not miss this
EXTRAORDINARY
EXTRAORDINARY
performance!
performance! Stay informed with Federation’s Eblast newsletters
delivered right to your inbox.
To register, visit Go to JFEDSRQ.org and click the
JFEDSRQ.or g/events GET UPDATES button at the top of the page.
JFEDSRQ.org/events

For more information, contact
Jeremy Lisitza at jlisitza@jfedsrq.org
or 941-343-2113.