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Welcome to the 12th issue of Teaching the Legacy. The focus of this issue is “Women in the Holocaust,” featuring an article on this theme, an interview with the survivor Hedi Solzbach, and a critique of Charlotte Salomon’s major work of art “Life? Or Theatre?” Also included are our regular updates on activities at the International School and within Yad Vashem, new Yad Vashem publications and recommended books. We hope you find this newsletter of interest and look forward to your feedback.

Main Article – Why Study Women in the Holocaust?
Main Article – Why Study Women in the Holocaust?In this article, Naama Shik covers the central trends in gender-oriented historiography of the Holocaust. Initially criticized for ostensibly creating a retroactive, artificial distinction, a core of major scholars has since brought gender-based study of the Holocaust a large degree of acceptance, filling important gaps in our understanding of the experience of the time.
“Being Together Certainly Saved Me” – Interview with Hedi Solzbach
“Being Together Certainly Saved Me” – Interview with Hedi SolzbachThis interview focuses on the wartime story of Hedi Solzbach. Beyond the touching human story, several issues arise which are intrinsically linked to the female experience in the Holocaust. Thus, for instance, we learn about the day-to-day conversations in the women’s block at Birkenau, the menstruation cycle in the camp, the humiliation of nakedness and fear of bodily harm, use of margarine as an anti-wrinkle cream, “support groups” amongst the female prisoners, care for others as a strengthening or consoling experience, and more.
 
"Life? Or Theatre?" - The German-Jewish Artist Charlotte Salomon
Life? Or Theatre? - The German-Jewish Artist Charlotte SalomonBorn in a cultured German-Jewish environment to a troubled family with a history of suicides, Charlotte Salomon escaped to France in 1938, following the Kristallnacht pogrom. Whilst there, Salomon created a series of semi-autobiographical gouache paintings combined with texts and poems, collectively called “Life? Or Theatre?”

What's New on the International School for Holocaust Studies Website?

New Online Course: "Life Lessons - Bringing Holocaust History to Your Classroom"
This new
online course provides educators with directives in Holocaust history in conjunction with pedagogic tools applicable to the classroom. Participants will gain excellent knowledge in the historical aspects of the Holocaust from a multi-disciplinary approach, through use of primary and secondary sources. In sync with Yad Vashem’s educational philosophy, the historical content will be explored through examining testimonies, diaries, artwork, literature and photographs, and applying the knowledge to practical educational materials for classroom usage. Course begins June 23.

"And Despite it All, I Am Alive" - Educational Journey Beyond the Image
Designed to accompany the newly launched Online Photo Archive, this unique
educational site follows the postwar experiences of Holocaust survivors, through use of photographs from Yad Vashem’s archive. These photographs are accompanied by extracts from testimonies and memoirs, and discussion questions for students in the classroom.

Seven Poems, Seven Paintings - A Teacher's Guide to Selected Holocaust Poetry
This unique
teacher's guide is intended for teachers of poetry, art, and literature interested in a more artistic approach to teaching the Holocaust. It includes seven Holocaust-related poems, accompanied by original artist's impressions of these poems. Each poem includes discussion points for the teacher.

First International Youth Congress Website
On International Holocaust Remembrance Day, 27 January 2008, 116 young people from 62 countries gathered at Yad Vashem’s International School for Holocaust Studies for the first-ever
International Youth Congress. The three-day congress — under the patronage of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) and supported by the Adelson Family Charitable Foundation—was devoted to the study of the Holocaust and discussion of its universal significance.

Yom Hashoah 2008 – Educational Materials
New website containing educational materials for the 2008 Holocaust Martyrs’ and Heroes’ Remembrance Day. In keeping with Yad Vashem’s 2008 Central Theme, “Holocaust Survivors in Israel: 60 Years Since the Establishment of the State,” the site focuses on survivors and their stories, featuring interviews, lesson plans, ceremonies, and a guide to using testimony in the classroom and more.

What’s New at the International School for Holocaust Studies?
Here you can find updates on activities in various departments of the International School, including the European Department, the International Projects Department and the Department for International Seminars in English and the Jewish World.
What's New at Yad Vashem?
Central Theme for Holocaust Martyrs’ and Heroes’ Remembrance Day 2008: Holocaust Survivors in Israel – 60 Years since the Establishment of the State
New Exhibition: My Homeland – Holocaust Survivors in Israel
First-Ever International Youth Congress at Yad Vashem
Global Cooperation on Holocaust Education
Yad Vashem’s Photographic Collection Now Online
January 27th – International Holocaust Remembrance Day Marked Worldwide
The Virtual Avenue of the Righteous
International Conference: The Jews of North Africa during the Second World War
New Yad Vashem Publications
New Yad Vashem PublicationsIn this section, we present new publications by Yad Vashem, including the latest issue of Yad Vashem Studies.
All books are available at our online store.
 
Recommended Books
Recommended BooksIn this section, we feature some less-explored Holocaust-related literature that may be of interest to educators and the general public.

Editorial Board: Dorit Novak, Shulamit Imber, Richelle Budd Caplan, Prof. Dan Michman, Dana Porath, Naama Shik  
Editor:
Jonathan Clapsaddle
Writing Staff:
Kathryn Berman, Jackie Metzger, Naama Shik
Production and Design: Mayana Sebbah, Jeremy Zauder, Stephanie Amara, Eviatar Biton, Liz Elsby

Copyright ©2008 Yad Vashem - The Holocaust Martyrs' and Heroes' Remembrance Authority