Annual Martin and Doris Rosen Summer Symposium: Remembering the Holocaust
The Martin and Doris Rosen Summer Symposium offers free, in-depth Holocaust education featuring global experts, current research, and classroom-ready strategies.
Presented by the Center for Judaic, Holocaust, and Peace Studies, the program welcomes teachers, students, and community members each year for this week-long event at the Appalachian State University campus in Boone, North Carolina.
July 10 – 16, 2025
23th Annual Martin and Doris Rosen Symposium
The theme of this year’s symposium is “Rescue during the Holocaust: The Power of Courage.”
Using experiential learning practices, in particular Universal Design of Instruction, we will consider Holocaust topics like survivor testimony, Judaism, major rescues, teaching the Holocaust through the arts, antisemitism in America and Germany, and much more.
About the Rosen Summer Symposium
Since 2002, the Center for Judaic, Holocaust and Peace Studies has hosted the annual Martin and Doris Rosen Summer Symposium: “Remembering the Holocaust.” Named in honor of benefactors Martin and Doris Rosen, the Symposium equips educators with current research on the Holocaust, racism, and antisemitism, along with effective classroom strategies for teaching these urgent topics. Nearly 1,000 educators from North Carolina and neighboring states have participated since its founding.
The Symposium is presented in partnership with leading institutions—including the International School for Holocaust Studies at Yad Vashem, Echoes and Reflections, and the William Levine Family Institute for Holocaust Education at the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum. Faculty and guest speakers represent a wide range of expertise from the U.S., Canada, Israel, Africa, and Europe.
While designed for public and private school teachers, the Symposium also welcomes university faculty, students, and community members. The program is free, and many sessions are open to the public.
Purpose
The Symposium’s mission is to deepen understanding of the victims, perpetrators, and consequences of the Nazi Holocaust through high-quality instruction, dialogue, and resources.
By the end of the Symposium, participants will have a strong grounding in the historical context and events of the Holocaust, strategies for teaching ethical questions through the lens of genocide, and approaches for supporting their own and others’ emotional well-being throughout the learning process.
Program Overview
Participants engage in approximately 40 hours of lectures, workshops, discussions, films, and demonstrations. Educators who complete the full program receive four continuing education credits (CEUs).
Educator Benefits
- Earn 4 CEUs (40 contact hours)
- Develop multiple lesson plans on the Holocaust and related social justice issues
- Receive a starter set of Holocaust education texts
- Build foundational knowledge about the Holocaust, Judaism, censorship, and social justice
- Connect with experts available for ongoing support throughout the school year
- Learn to incorporate multimedia, experiential learning, field trips, art, and film into instruction
- Gain tools for evaluating and selecting high-quality Holocaust education resources
- Access survivor testimony and year-round expert guidance
- Receive a certificate of completion
Teacher Resources Website
Educators who register for the Symposium will receive access to our exclusive Teacher Resources Website, which hosts materials and lesson plans related to event workshops and curriculum support.
Past Event Recordings
Recordings of select presentations from past Symposium events, beginning in 2025, are openly available for viewing and can be found on our YouTube channel.