1. International Relations
2. European Department
3. Department for International Seminars for Educators
4. Department for International Seminars for the Jewish World
5. Videoconferencing Services

International Relations

The International Relations Department is excited to be offering guidelines intended for educators, entitled “Addressing Contemporary Antisemitism: Why and How?”
It is now available in 5 languages.
These guidelines, developed by Yad Vashem and the Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights of the OSCE, have been designed to help educators address incidents of contemporary antisemitism that they encounter in their schools.
For guidelines in Croatian, English, German, Polish and Russian, click here.

European Department

The fall semester saw a continuation of seminar activity run by the European Department, within the framework of the ICHEIC Program for Holocaust Education in Europe, both at Yad Vashem and abroad. During this semester, for the first time, seminars were held for Irish and Slovenian educators with positive feedback received from participants. “This seminar has provided an incomparable opportunity to continue my journey of understanding. It has developed my own knowledge of the Holocaust and highlighted the many areas that research into this topic involves. It has also shown many new ways to bring this topic to my students.” In addition, educators and graduates from Romania, the Czech Republic, Sweden, Germany, France, Hungary, Ukraine and Poland took part in seminars.
Within the framework of, and prior to, the International Graduate seminar in Vienna (see article), four videoconferences took place with students in France, Germany, Italy and the UK conducting virtual meetings with survivors and educators at Yad Vashem. Through this technological medium the European students received a unique learning experience.
The Fourth Annual International ICHEIC Forum will take place at Yad Vashem in February. Its participants, Yad Vashem’s European partners, represent organizations actively involved in Holocaust education.

Commemorating 70 Years since Kristallnacht:
Graduate Seminar in Vienna, 8-10 November

In November Yad Vashem’s International School for Holocaust Studies held an International Graduate seminar in Vienna, as part of a joint initiative with the European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights (FRA). Taking part in the seminar were 23 educators, graduates of Yad Vashem seminars held, within the framework of the ICHEIC program, from EU Member States.
The goal of the seminar was to examine the tragic events of the Kristallnacht pogrom from a 21st century perspective, however during its two intensive days four main subjects were tackled: “The importance of educational cooperation between the FRA and the European Department of the ISHS at Yad Vashem,” “examining the educational material on the Kristallnacht pogrom” (by way of a workshop), “analyzing the effectiveness of the tool of videoconference with survivors on a bi- and multi-national level,” and “analyzing the Yad Vashem educational film project - survivors speak on location." In addition to the plenum presentations and discussions, group dialogues were held in order to prepare annual programs.
The seminar established a link between human rights education and Holocaust education, while at the same time presenting a follow-up activity for graduates of seminars at Yad Vashem. The participants, teachers from various EU states, displayed enthusiasm for national and multi-national projects, as in their home countries such projects are part of a struggle against antisemitism and a violation of human rights.
The seminar allowed for a practical exchange Yad Vashem staff and FRA members, as well as a commitment to future projects. As such, a joint meeting will be held during 2009 at Yad Vashem, to discuss the experiences in implementing these projects. Those projects will be tailor-made, to suit the teaching and national environment of each participant.
During the seminar vital contacts were established for future cooperation with the FRA, contacts which are particularly valuable due to the wide variety of national contexts across the EU and in order to promote increase Holocaust education, especially in its contemporary implementation.

Department for International Seminars for Educators

The Department for International Seminars for Educators is pleased with the success of its 6th International Conference on Holocaust Education, held in July 2008. 750 educators from 53 countries spent four days exploring three different themes: “Racism and Antisemitism in the 19th and 20th Centuries,” “Teaching the Holocaust in a Multicultural Society,” and “Building a Better World – the Legacy of the Holocaust Survivors and Celebrating Israel in its 60th Year.” Complete with panel speakers and educational workshops, educators of different faiths and backgrounds joined together to ensure the continuation of Holocaust education to the next generation.
As we head into our next season of programs, we are looking ahead to our International Winter Seminar in English and the Echoes and Reflections Seminar, both in January. We are excited to host educators from South America and China who will come for seminars in the first half of 2009.
Our department is constantly working to bring educators from around the world to our campus for enlightening and engaging seminars to enrich their classrooms and students.

Department for International Seminars for the Jewish World

The Department for International Seminars in the Jewish World is in the midst of planning a variety of seminars. In December, we will host a group of Australian educators, hold our Jewish educators seminar as well as a new seminar entitled “Holocaust and Language Arts Poetry Literature Art Memorial, History.” This unique seminar is intended for our course graduates and educators with proven experience that are interested in the next level of Holocaust education. Participants will delve into art, poetry, music, and commemoration of the Holocaust, and spend time with other experts in the field from around the world. They will explore ways to teach the Holocaust in different disciplines.
Additionally, a group of scholars from the PAIDEIA institute in Stockholm Sweden are coming for the first time for a two-week seminar. These are scholars, mostly from Europe, who will return to their respective countries with newfound knowledge to spread and teach.

Videoconferencing Services

As part of our distance-learning and teacher-training services, the International School for Holocaust Studies regularly conducts videoconferences with teachers, educators and students worldwide. This unique tool allows international audiences to engage in live, real-time discussion with experts from Yad Vashem in the fields of Holocaust education and Holocaust history, or with survivors living in Israel.
Recent videoconferences have included survivor testimony and discussion with high school students in France, Italy and Germany.

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