The 21st Annual Martin and Doris Rosen Symposium at Appalachian State University brought together educators, scholars, artists, and Holocaust survivors for a week of reflection, learning, and remembrance. Supported by the Claims Conference on Jewish Material Claims Against Germany, the Martin and Doris Rosen Symposium Endowment, and the local Jewish community, the symposium explored the theme:
“The Holocaust and Lessons for Today,” inspired by the guiding principle: “The Holocaust is not just Jewish history; it is humanity’s history and we must understand it if we are to prevent it from happening again.”
Opening the Week with Shabbat
The symposium began with a joyous Shabbat celebration at the Temple of the High Country, Boone, NC, on Friday evening, July 7. Led by Rabbi Alty Weinreb, the service and accompanying dinner offered participants a time for gratitude, reflection, and fellowship, setting a thoughtful tone for the week ahead.
Engaging Lectures and Workshops
From July 8–13, attendees participated in lectures, workshops, and interactive sessions, both in person and virtually. Highlights included:
- The Czech Scroll Story: From WWII to the Diaspora – Lois Roman shared the miraculous journey of Czech Torah scrolls, preserving the memory of communities lost in the Holocaust.
- The Holocaust & Children’s Literature – Kathy Kacer explored the challenges of teaching young audiences about the Holocaust, offering guidance for selecting age-appropriate books.
- An Overview of the Holocaust & Legacies of the Holocaust – John Cox provided a comprehensive historical framework, addressing antisemitism, resistance, and post-war justice.
- They Fought Back – Sheryl Ochayon highlighted acts of Jewish resistance, including the Warsaw Ghetto Uprising, and introduced new teaching resources from Echoes & Reflections.
- Roots of Resistance: A Jewish Uprising in Ukraine – Anne Parsons detailed the 1942 Jewish uprising in Tuchyn and shared interactive teaching tools for the classroom.
Workshops emphasized trauma-informed teaching, incorporating survivor testimonies, and creating meaningful Holocaust memorials.
Artistic Engagement and Memorialization
The symposium featured presentations by artists Michael Berkowicz and Bonnie Srolowitz-Berkowicz, and Victoria Milstein, exploring the role of memorials in Holocaust education. Milstein’s work, including the “She Wouldn’t Take Her Boots” sculpture, highlighted how art can foster reflection and dialogue about antisemitism, genocide, and social justice.
Survivor Testimonies and Documentaries
Participants had the unique opportunity to engage with Holocaust survivors, including Margot Lobree, who escaped Nazi Germany on the Kindertransport, and Lynda Moss, the daughter of a survivor. Documentaries such as Aurora’s Sunrise and I Danced for the Angel of Death: The Dr. Edith Eva Story were screened, accompanied by Q&A sessions with filmmakers and educators, bringing personal narratives to life.
Closing Reflections
The symposium concluded with sessions led by Amy Hudnall and Lee Holder, focusing on practical next steps for educators to bring Holocaust education into classrooms and communities. Participants left with renewed understanding, teaching strategies, and a deeper commitment to preserving the memory and lessons of the Holocaust.
Featured Speakers & Educators
The symposium welcomed a diverse lineup of experts and educators, including:
- Michael Berenbaum, Holocaust scholar, director of the Sigi Ziering Institute, Emmy and Academy Award-winning filmmaker
- Kathy Kacer, author of over 30 books on the Holocaust for young readers
- John Cox, associate professor and director of the Center for Holocaust, Genocide & Human Rights Studies at UNC Charlotte
- Lee Holder & Amy Clark, Holocaust educators and curriculum developers
- Sheryl Ochayon, Project Director, Echoes & Reflections, Yad Vashem
- Victoria Milstein, artist specializing in socially engaged public art and Holocaust memorials
The 21st Annual Martin and Doris Rosen Symposium reaffirmed the vital importance of Holocaust education, reflection, and action, ensuring that the lessons of history continue to resonate for future generations.