e-Newsletter for Holocaust Educators

Welcome to Teaching the Legacy, the fourth issue of the International School for Holocaust Studies’ e-newsletter. This issue’s central theme is “Teaching the Holocaust through Literature”. The main article gives an overview of this subject, demonstrating the various ways literary texts can be used in the classroom. A lesson plan is then provided, which outlines in greater detail how to approach a sample text in the classroom. The e-newsletter also includes a section of book reviews, as well as updates on recent events and new services in the “What’s New” sections. We wish you fruitful and interesting reading.

This issue features:

• Main Article: Teaching the Holocaust through Literature
• Lesson Plan: Teaching the Holocaust through Literature- Ida Fink - “The Tenth Man”
• Book Reviews
• What’s New at Yad Vashem?
• What’s New at the International School for Holocaust Studies?

In the field of Holocaust education, teachers face a daunting two-fold task: they must impart the vital historical information on the Holocaust, and at the same time ensure its continued emotional relevance to a generation removed from the actual events. By using literature in the classroom, primarily postwar poetry and memoirs written by survivors, the Holocaust can be translated from a massive historical process to a series of events which directly affected the life of the individual. In addition, Holocaust literature touches on the historical and the literary, making the field relevant to teachers of history, literature and English alike.

Literature, in particular Holocaust literature, often makes a lasting impression on its readers due to the vivid imagery and the intimacy of the characters and events. Thus, it often has the ability to evoke feelings and emotions, in contrast to a standard history text-book. In an effort to promote Holocaust education with an interdisciplinary approach, the International School for Holocaust Studies has designed this lesson plan focusing on teaching the Holocaust through literature. The lesson and activities highlight a short story entitled The Tenth Man, written by Holocaust survivor Ida Fink. The story was first published in Polish in 1983.
The classroom activity is aimed for students in Grades 9-12.

In this issue, we continue to present reviews of new books printed in Israel and abroad. These reviews are designed to expose readers to useful new publications that otherwise might remain unknown.

1. Das Auschwitz – Album; Die Geschichte eines Transportes (The Auschwitz Album; The Story of a Transport), Wallstein Verlag / Yad Vashem, ed. by Israel Gutman and Bella Gutterman
2. Dagmar Ostermann: Eine Lebensreise durch Konzentrationslager (A Journey of Life through a Concentration Camp); Wien, Turia.

• “Etched Voices” – New Exhibitions Pavilion Displays Contemporary Art. To accommodate the exceptional exhibitions that Yad Vashem wishes to present to its many visitors, and to display much more of its extensive art and artifacts collections - including contemporary art - Yad Vashem’s new Exhibitions Pavilion was opened in May. For details, click here.
• Inauguration of the New Synagogue. Inaugurated on June 8, the new Yad Vashem Synagogue offers a place for visitors to recite kaddish (the mourner’s prayer), to gather in silent prayer or join a traditional prayer service, or to hold memorial services for lost communities. For details, click here.
• New Learning Center Inaugurated. On May 8, the new Learning Center, otherwise known as “Reflections After the Holocaust,” was inaugurated. For details, click here.

1. Echoes and Reflections – A Multimedia Curriculum on the Holocaust. The ADL, Shoah Foundation and Yad Vashem are proud to present Echoes and Reflections - A Multimedia Curriculum on the Holocaust.
2. Online Forum for Holocaust Educators. On Sunday, July 3, 2005, Yad Vashem launched a new “Forum for Holocaust Educators”, providing teachers, experts, students and all those who take an interest in the field an opportunity to discuss issues in Holocaust education.
3. New Videoconferencing Service. In May 2005, a videoconference service was inaugurated at the International School for Holocaust Studies. The direct broadcast will be used as a new tool for teaching the Holocaust internationally.
4. Upcoming: International Forum. On October 8-11, 2005, the European Department of the International School for Holocaust Studies will host an international forum of experts in the fields of Holocaust education and antisemitism.
5. Seminars Conducted by the European Department. Past and future seminars.