Growing up in Edmonton, the Jewish Federation likely touched my life that I was unaware of, but one event that clearly stands out to me is my participation in the March of the Living during the (very early) 1990s. My mind has solidified these memories, and it isn’t only the intense moments of being at Auschwitz or Majdanek and looking with my own eyes the barracks, gas chambers, and piles of shoes and personal effects of the millions of our people murdered there.

I also remember the evenings in the Jewish Community Centre library with Gayle Tallman leading us through pre-trip education sessions, listening to Neil Young’s Rockin’ in the Free World on the bus through the Polish countryside, and the sense of being in community through it all. 

I came across a picture of a recent March of the Living trip for work. The photo was of the backs of three teens, with their arms around each other, looking at the gate of Birkenau in the distance. Immediately, tears sprang to my eyes. Not because of the horror of the Holocaust and the painful recollections of seeing it up close, but because of the beauty of togetherness. The muscle memory I have of the experience of staring into the face of this moment in our Jewish history and doing so in community came rushing back to me in that minute. I knew then, when I was in Poland and Israel, and now, as a professional in the Jewish community, that whatever we face, it is essential that we do so together. 

I am proud to be part of the team at the Jewish Federation that endeavors to build community. One of my primary responsibilities is to teach our children and the rest of the world about the Holocaust, to honour those taken from us, and to ensure that we never forget the lessons of this experience. Thanks to the Holocaust education committee, led by Colin Muscat, we have some important learning opportunities coming up. 

First, in partnership with the Federations in Ottawa, Hamilton, and the Canadian Society for Yad Vashem, we will bring three exhibits into public spaces in Edmonton and surrounding communities. Beginning with Stars without a Heaven: Children of the Holocaust in November. We will have a virtual launch program online November 8 in commemoration of Kristallnacht that will include an exhibit tour with Yad Vashem museum staff. After this event, the physical exhibit will be available for display, with our first showing at Ross Sheppard High School in mid-November. We are actively seeking schools, libraries, and other venues willing to show this display and welcome volunteers for this project. 

Also, in mid-November, Edmonton area schools are participating in an online Holocaust Education Symposium in partnership with Calgary Jewish Federation. Teachers who sign-up for the symposium will have access to videos during the week of November 14 as well as a livestream Q & A with a Holocaust survivor. We are getting a lot of participation and positive feedback from the educators about both the content and the delivery. It pleases us to bring this essential material to students. 

March of the Living has been on hiatus for the past two years because of COVID-19. Travel plans are still uncertain, but we are working with Federations across Canada on the possibility of offering a trip this spring (2022). Stay tuned for more information.   

I imagine that you have stories and memories related to community and perhaps even Holocaust education. I hope that you or someone you know will consider participating in one of our programs. Holocaust education is a community endeavor. If you have ideas, questions, thoughts to share in this realm, feel free to reach out and get involved. Contact me at holocaustedu@edjfed.org or 780-487-0585 x 207. 

Shabbat Shalom, 

Jenn