On 26-29 June, the Fifth International Educators’ Conference took place at Yad Vashem. Some three hundred participants from 21 countries worldwide attended the biannual event, which was organized by the International School for Holocaust Studies and Oranim Educational Initiatives Ltd., and supported by the Asper International Holocaust Studies Program at Yad Vashem.
Preceding the conference was a tour of the Yad Vashem Campus and the new Museum Complex, as well as a special panel discussion held by the Association of Holocaust Organizations (AHO) on “Teaching the Holocaust in Light of Contemporary Antisemitism,” chaired by AHO President Dr. William L. Shulman.
At the conference’s opening ceremony, participants were addressed by Chairman of the Knesset Committee for Education, Culture and Sport Rabbi Michael Melchior MK, Chairman of the Yad Vashem Directorate Avner Shalev and President of Oranim Educational Initiatives, Ltd. Mr. Shlomo (Momo) Lifshitz. Each day began with a panel discussion featuring keynote educators, scholars, political leaders and historians on the following topics: “The Face of the Individual within the Historical Narrative: Educational Uses of Holocaust Art, Literature, and Film;” “The Educational Implications of Visiting Holocaust Memorial Sites and Museums: On Site Objectives and Classroom Use;” and “The Uniqueness of the Shoah in the Context of Genocide: the Educational Objectives.” The panels were followed by moderated discussion groups and smaller educational workshops connected to the day’s topic. The Honorable Prof. Irwin Cotler, Member of Parliament, Ottawa, Canada, closed the conference.

At the time of press, the conference had just concluded. A longer report on the conference will be featured in the next issue, Fall 2006.
 

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