Teaching the Holocaust: Professional Development Seminars

The Jewish Holocaust Museum and Research Centre is pleased to announce a new series of professional development seminars for Teaching the Holocaust to be run in 2010. The sessions will be presented by educators from the JHC, Victorian schools and other institutions. The sessions will include historical background as well as practical issues and ideas regarding teaching the Holocaust in a number of curriculum areas. Teachers are invited to attend as many sessions as desired. There is no cost for these seminars.

When?  February 17th - July 14th - Sessions will be held on Wednesdays from 4:30-6:30 pm.
Where? The Jewish Holocaust Centre - 13-15 Selwyn Street Elsternwick  VIC  3185
For further information, email: admin@jhc.org.au, or call Zvi Civins at the centre on (03) 9528 1985.

Date	Topic
February 17 - 4:30-6:30 pm	The Essentials: what are the very basics facts we need to know in order to teach the Holocaust? How to get started? What are some of the pedagogic issues we must take into account?
March 10 - 4:30-6:30 pm	2000 years in 2 hours: from ancient anti-Semitism to the Holocaust. This session will provide an overview of Jewish history, the roots of anti-Semitism, relations between Jews and non-Jews leading up to the Holocaust.
March 24 - 4:30-6:30 pm	Germany between the wars: what was the social, economic and political situation in Germany which led to the rise of the Nazis and Hitler? Who were the Jews of Germany, and what happened to them from the rise of Hitler to the outbreak of the war?
April 21 - 4:30-6:30 pm	Primary school students and the Holocaust: how can we adapt the history of the Holocaust to meet younger students’ needs? What texts, pedagogy are appropriate for younger students? What links are there between the Holocaust and VELS?
May 5 - 4:30-6:30 pm	NIGHT, ELLI, and other texts for teaching the Holocaust: what are the best themes and approaches to take with our students? What other texts and authors could we consider?
May 26 - 4:30-6:30 pm	Hollywood and the Holocaust: which films should we use in teaching the Holocaust? What are the advantages and potential pitfalls?
June 9 - 4:30-6:30 pm	The Holocaust and other Genocides: what has the world learned from the Holocaust? Why have other genocides occurred since? Was the Holocaust unique or an extreme example of what mankind is capable of? What can we do to prevent future genocides?
June 23 - 4:30-6:30 pm	Where was God at Auschwitz? The Holocaust challenged the idea of a benevolent, omnipotent God and led many to abandon their faith, as well as others to strengthen theirs. This session will examine a range of religious responses to the Holocaust.
July 14 - 4:30-6:30 pm	What? So What? Now What? How can understanding the Holocaust assist students understand the importance of human rights and tolerance? This session will investigate existing programmes, and consider developing local  programmes using the lessons of the Holocaust to foster tolerance and understanding in the school and broader community.