John Schembari, Ed.D.’s Post

Alarming findings reveal a significant lack of Holocaust awareness outside Israel. A recent poll by The Economist, in collaboration with YouGov, highlights that one in five young Americans believe the Holocaust is a myth. Shockingly, even among millennials and Generation Z, many lack basic knowledge about the Holocaust's magnitude. Education isn't the sole factor, social media is a key contributor, spreading misinformation, and exacerbating antisemitism. Addressing this ignorance is urgent, as it fosters dangerous narratives equating the Holocaust with other conflicts. Educators must emphasize the Holocaust's unique nature to combat revisionism effectively. It's time for a profound reassessment of Holocaust education to ensure future generations understand this pivotal chapter in history and counter rising antisemitism. https://lnkd.in/d92F34QK #SixMillionVoices #HolocaustEducation #AntisemitismAwareness #EducationReform

Well, she did it again. Another powerful read by Dara Horn. Here are my top three takeaways: 1. American Holocaust education needs a lot of work. I have been arguing this for years, and it has always fallen on closed ears. Teachers are not trained to teach the Holocaust. Often it is just dumped on their laps by befuddled admin after their state made it mandatory. I love that so many states are mandating Holocaust education, but WE NEED TO TRAIN OUR TEACHERS AND ADMINISTRATORS. It's not fair to anyone to throw at them such a nuanced, delicate topic, but is is exceptionally dangerous to our Jewish population. A few years ago, I met with a district's director of curriculum as I had heard a nameless school was using "The Boy in the Striped Pajamas" to teach the Holocaust. I came well prepared with notes, stats, and an expertise that few have. I explained the dangers of using this fictitious book to teach the Holocaust. I left thinking I had made a difference. Nope. They're still using the book. (Teachers and school admin. reading this who want more info on education, please DM me). 2. Many (but not all) Americans are using the guise of "freedom of speech" to perpetuate antisemitic rhetoric and violence and push Jewish Americans out of public life. I have a lot to say about this, but it's too long for this forum, so I will let Horn "spill the tea," "Reasonable people have tried to rationalize this as simply passionate “free speech,” imagining that it’s an expression of concern for civilians in Gaza, whose suffering is undeniable—a wishful but implausible conclusion, because people who care about civilians do not generally express that compassion by harassing and intimidating other civilians." 3. We've been here before. Many, many, many times. If we consider antisemitism across time and place, we will find THOUSANDS of examples. I have written pages and pages about the history of antisemitism in France alone, and have barely scratched the surface. For one small example, consider the 1933-1945 (Hitler's rise to power through WWII). America was ripe with antisemitism, from Lindberg's "make America great" campaign (sound familiar?) to Father Coughlin's weekly radio show that excoriated Jews as Christ killers and more, antisemitism was not subtle. When delegates from 32 countries gathered at the Evian Conference to discuss what to do about the refugee crisis coming out of Germany, their solution was essentially the modern version of "thoughts and prayers" and turned their backs on European Jewry. Only the Dominican Republic agreed to take in Jewish refugees. A wee island compared to us. Or France. Or even Great BritainHmmm... We have all heard Santayana's appeal: "Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it." The thing is, we don't have to repeat it. We just choose to because it's easier (and far less scary) than change. https://lnkd.in/eSTGfJdd

It's been seven months since October 7th. And for the past seven months, I've struggled with how to use my voice. Working in PR, we are used to storytelling in the background, so sharing my views on social media never felt like the right forum. But when the opportunity came up to write an op-ed for our incredible clients at the Toronto Holocaust Museum, it was time to put pen to paper and stand up for my community. And when National Post, Inc. published it in time for Yom Hashoah, it validated the importance of speaking up against hate. After 12 years of attending Jewish day school, I grew up learning about the atrocities of the Holocaust and the persecution of my people. Exactly 13 years ago, I marched through the grounds of the concentration camps where Jewish people, my ancestors, once marched to their death. I remember being particularly stricken by Majdanek, which could be back in operation with the push of a button. Yet in that moment, I was comforted by how far we've come as a society. That the unthinkable could never happen again. Fast forward to 2024, and we are faced with a devastating reality that feels all too familiar. So, how do we get out of this? The only way to stamp out hate is with education and awareness, and the rise in antisemitism across universities and in the workforce signals a clear opportunity for cross-generational education beyond grade school. Building empathy is another key part of the equation as it’s been proven that most people who harbor antisemitic views have never met a Jew. By forming meaningful human relationships, people of all ages become more accepting and understanding of people they once deemed as ‘others’. Thank you to the National Post for publishing our perspective and to the ever inspiring Dara Solomon and Michelle Fishman for showing up each day as the driving forces behind Holocaust education. Your work is the light at the end of this dark tunnel. It's what will ensure that history never repeats itself. #NeverForget #NeverAgain

Please see this article about Holocaust education from Hadassah Magazine, and my response, posted at the end. https://lnkd.in/gXykkNDK

The Vienna Wiesenthal Institute for Holocaust Studies, in collaboration with the OeAD programme ERINNERN:AT, recently hosted an international workshop titled 'Teaching about the Roma Genocide: Prospects and Challenges.' Supported by the Austrian Ministry of Education, Science and Research, and the British Embassy in Vienna, the workshop brought together participants from 11 countries to discuss ways to enhance education on the genocide of the Roma during the Nazi era. The event emphasized the importance of incorporating Romani voices and personal stories into teaching, recognizing them as powerful tools for engaging learners and ensuring that the genocide of the Roma is acknowledged as an integral part of European history. Participants also stressed the need for sensitivity in language, promoting non-discriminatory terms that avoid reinforcing harmful stereotypes. An inclusive approach, with Roma communities involved in shaping educational content, was seen as essential to fostering understanding and combating marginalization. Digital tools and platforms, like romasintigenocide.eu, were highlighted as innovative methods for education, particularly in local and national contexts. However, participants also reflected on the challenges, such as limited time and resources for teacher training and the difficulties of handling sensitive historical sources, including images taken by perpetrators of the genocide. Stephane Laederich, Swiss Delegate to the IHRA and Chair of the Committee on the Genocide of the Roma, presented an upcoming IHRA resource titled, ‘Recommendations for Teaching and Learning about the Persecution and Genocide of the Roma during the Nazi Era’. Initiated by the IHRA Committee on the Genocide of the Roma, the resource aims to support policymakers and educational stakeholders, bridging the gap between past and present antigypsyism/anti-Roma discrimination, through recommendations on teaching and learning about this genocide. The lack of comprehensive knowledge and education on the genocide of the Roma has resulted in widespread ignorance and misunderstanding, underscoring the need for a resource of this kind, which encourages comprehensive approaches from policy level down. The workshop was a significant step forward in encouraging strong cooperation between all possible stakeholders to make greater effort to recognize and teach about the genocide of the Roma.

As Keir Starmer pushes for a Holocaust Memorial and mandatory Holocaust education, we must question the selective focus on one atrocity while ignoring others. Genocides are not exclusive, and neither should education on them be. David Lammy’s recent dismissal of calling Gaza a genocide reveals a deeper issue: a reluctance to recognise Palestinian suffering as legitimate. This exclusivity in genocide remembrance suggests that some lives and histories matter more than others—a dangerous message for young minds. We need an inclusive approach to genocide education that highlights all atrocities, past and present. Recognising only one narrative risks creating a moral blind spot, allowing similar horrors to go unchallenged. We must petition the U.K. government to expand genocide education beyond a single event, ensuring that all victims of hatred and oppression are remembered. Let’s teach our students the full truth about humanity’s darkest chapters—no selective memory, no hierarchy of suffering.

For a bit more insight into my Eisenhower & the Holocaust book, take a look at this article! https://lnkd.in/gNhVPA3A

To read the whole study and understand the dynamics 👇  https://lnkd.in/gT8DfAFY

From the Office of the New York Metropolitan Region FJMC President Dear Friends: Being an avid reader, I came across some interesting insights for this week’s column from the Jerusalem Post and the constant coverage of the situation on American College campuses. Having concluded Passover and as we approach Yom HaShoah (Holocaust Remembrance Day), which begins at sundown on May 5 and concludes at nightfall on May 6, we pause to remember the six million Jews systematically murdered by Nazi Germany during the Holocaust. The Shoah, defined in Hebrew as “utter destruction” and the standard Hebrew term for Holocaust, was a horrific event that shattered Jewish communities across Europe and forever altered the course of history. The establishment of Israel in 1948, a safe haven for the Jewish people, served as a powerful symbol of resilience in the face of barbarity. Yet, the dream of “Never Again” remains perpetually under threat and we are finding that “Never Again is Now.” Sadly, history warns us that the seeds of hate sown in the past can easily germinate in the present. This year, Yom HaShoah takes on more meaning than ever as Jews throughout the world are reeling and grieving after the October 7 massacre along the Gaza border in Israel. Here in the United States, antisemitic incidents have skyrocketed 360% since the attack, according to the Anti-Defamation League. Not only did these incidents include violent attacks, vandalism, harassment and the placement of swastikas, there was a dramatic increase in antisemitic propaganda and tropes reminiscent of those found in Europe in the 1920s and 1930s, which helped create the climate for the Holocaust. Just like Europe over 75 years ago, we will find today that silence and apathy lead to complicity. How can we empower the next generation of Jewish citizens to stand up against hate, safely and effectively? The answer is up to us: 1. Education. 2. Advocacy Teaching. 3. Visit Israel in person. 4. Affiliate with organizations like FJMC whose mission is to involve Jewish “Men in Jewish Life". 5. Light the Yellow Candle of Remembrance provided by FJMC on Sunday evening, May 5 and make it a focal point of your home. YOM HASHOAH is a call to action. We must never forget the pain of the Holocaust, and we must use this knowledge to actively fight against hate in all its forms. By supporting our Annual Chaverim Kol Israel Man of the Year/Youth of the Year being held on May 19 and honoring strong leaders in our communities and the next generation of leadership, we stand in unison and exclaim Am Yisrael Chai; The People of Israel Live! Explore our website: www.newyorkmetrofjmc.org In Friendship, Shea Z. Lerner New York Metropolitan Region President #fjmcnymetro #fjmc2024 #fjmc_hq #fjmc #community #leadership #CurrentNews #MessageFromThePresident