A number of seminars for educators from abroad were held over the summer, including an international seminar (attended by 37 participants from 10 countries), and a seminar for Jewish educators. Additional seminars were conducted for managers of memorial sites in Austria, Jewish educators from Hungary and the FSU, educators from Croatia, Jewish educators from Montreal (in cooperation with the Jewish Agency), School graduates in Poland and Lithuania, as well as educators from Germany, Poland, Russia and (for the first time) Italy.

The Yad Vashem Education Awards ceremony was held during the first International Conference for Israeli schoolteachers in July. Prizes were awarded for outstanding school curricula, programs, a children’s book and several theses in Holocaust teaching. A prize was also awarded to an outstanding educator. The ceremony was held in the presence of then Deputy Minister of Education, Culture and Sport Rabbi Michael Melchior, and with the participation of the Donors’ Families – Najmann, Bergson and Uveeler, Director of the Uveeler Center Tirza Levtzion, Chairman of Aloumim Dr Israel Lichtenstein, and Dora Weinberger.

During the summer, the School conducted workshops and seminars for groups of high school pupils who are preparing to participate in delegations to Poland, for groups of youths and students from abroad and for Maccabiah participants. As part of a program conducted by the Ministry of Employment, Trade and Industry, the School also held a study day for school principals, attended by Minister Ehud Olmert.

Between July and September, the School held 10 study days for groups of principals and inspectors from the education system and from municipal authorities. In addition, more than 500 Ministry of Education employees attended study days at Yad Vashem. The School also held study days for police officers from various districts and for senior IDF personnel, and a training course for women soldiers who instruct IDF groups at Yad Vashem. In preparation for the 2005-2006 school year, a new unit has been created, which will run a unique program of study days for elementary schools.

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