Holocaust Educators Convene in Atlanta

How can Holocaust education confront the disturbing rise of antisemitism and other forms of hatred? Finding the answer was at the forefront of a gathering of nearly 60 Holocaust educators from across the U.S. During the week of June 16, teachers gathered at a national conference held at the Jewish Federation of Greater Atlanta, The Breman, and The Temple, where they heard from scholars, shared best practices, engaged in strategic planning, and visited Jewish and civil rights museums and heritage sites.

Lacy Watson from Montana and Todd Schroer from Indiana (foreground) at The Breman //Photo Credit: TOLI

The teachers – middle, high school, and college educators – were brought together by The Olga Lengyel Institute for Holocaust Studies and Human Rights (TOLI), a New York-based organization that focuses on providing educators with skills to teach the Holocaust and make it relevant for today’s students. These educators are TOLI’s core facilitators who are returning to their regions to lead in-person, four- and five-day seminars for teachers in California, Louisiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Mexico, Oregon, Virginia, and Wisconsin. TOLI is also holding seminars in 14 countries in Europe, impacting approximately 600 teachers this summer who will join the TOLI global network of more than 4,500 alumni.

“At a time when knowledge of the Holocaust is diminishing and antisemitism, extremism, and polarization are rising, TOLI’s work could not be more important,” said Deborah Lauter, TOLI’s Executive Director. “The conference re-energized our dedicated TOLI educators and we are well-positioned to scale our programs and meet the new challenges.”

Teachers had the opportunity to collaborate, build community, strengthen skills with new pedagogical approaches, and share experiences and innovative models for impact. In addition to the current facilitators in attendance, the conference included a new cohort of educators who are being prepared to run TOLI programs in Kentucky, Idaho, Indiana, Ohio, and North Dakota. TOLI’s European Programs Director, Oana Nestian-Sandu, based in Romania, also attended and provided a training workshop that she helped create for the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA). The workshop addressed the rise of Holocaust distortion and how to combat it, which the U.S. teachers can now implement into their U.S. seminars.

TOLI educators gather at the Jewish Federation of Greater Atlanta for a week-long seminar on Holocaust education // Photo Credit: TOLI

Conference participant Lacy Watson from Billings, Mont., remarked: “Being with other TOLI educators from around the country made me feel supported and more committed than ever to teach the Holocaust and human rights. This conference gave me more skills and confidence in how to navigate the subject matter and impact my students on how hate and disinformation can take hold in a democracy if good people do nothing. I am so grateful to be part of the TOLI network.”

While TOLI Leadership Conferences have traditionally been held in New York City, Lauter, who served as Community Relations Director for the Jewish Federation of Greater Atlanta (1992-1999) and as Southeast Region Director for the Anti-Defamation League (1999-2006), made the decision to host it in Atlanta this year. “I wanted our educators to gather in the heart of the Civil Rights Movement and examine the history of prejudice and discrimination in this country. Too many teachers around the country are now on the frontlines of a push-back on historical truths, and TOLI provides support for how to engage students to understand their role in ensuring civil society.”

The educators toured The Breman’s Holocaust exhibitions, “The Absence of Humanity,” and “History with Chutzpah: Remarkable Stories of the Southern Jewish Experience,” and heard a fascinating presentation on the history of antisemitism by Marist high school teacher, Brendan Murphy. They spent a day at The Temple where they met with Rabbi Peter Berg, who spoke with them about the synagogue’s history, including how The Temple was bombed in 1958 by extremists who objected to then-Rabbi Jacob Rothschild’s support for integration and civil rights.

As with all TOLI seminars, the participants – most of whom are not Jewish – attended a Shabbat service and dinner, and learned about Jewish religion, customs, and history before and after the Holocaust.

TOLI Executive Director, Deborah Lauter (third from right) with The Temple’s Rabbi Peter Berg and TOLI New Mexico seminar leaders // Photo Credit: TOLI

The educators also experienced a powerful daytrip to Montgomery, where they toured the Equal Justice Initiative’s Legacy Museum, the National Memorial for Peace and Justice, and the Freedom Monument Sculpture Park, where they spent time engaged in reflective writing – one of the unique, impactful elements of TOLI’s pedagogy.

The Jewish Federation of Greater Atlanta, The Breman, and The Temple provided support to help make the conference possible.