John Rennie High School Partners with the Foundation for Genocide Education to Commemorate International Holocaust Remembrance Day
by Julie Liebman
As it did last year, JRHS partnered with the Foundation for Genocide Education to commemorate International Holocaust Remembrance Day.
This day marks the anniversary of the liberation of the Auschwitz-Birkenau concentration camp in 1945, a day designated by the United Nations to honour the six million Jewish victims and millions of others who were murdered by the Nazis during the Holocaust. This is also a day dedicated to confronting antisemitism and challenging all forms of hatred and discrimination.
Raquel Lobaton, Grade 10 Leadership and History teacher, organized the event. Every year, Ms. Lobaton invites speakers from The Foundation for Genocide Education to address our students in Grade 10. This year they were joined by Barbara Cieplym who talked about her mother’s experiences during the Holocaust and educated.
The goal of the activity was to remember the past, and to remind students why it is critical to stand up against antisemitism and challenge all forms of hatred and discrimination.
“Every year I do a unit on the Holocaust and a unit on multiple genocides. It’s important to educate and bring awareness to our youth about the events of the past and what different cultures/communities have endured throughout history, even when they are not in our history books.
Too many children today do not know about these events. We need to teach our children to build bridges and not to hate.
The students appreciated having a guest speak share her family’s experience. It helped them make connections with what they learned in class,” says Raquel.
Too many children today do not know about these events. We need to teach our children to build bridges and not to hate.
The students appreciated having a guest speak share her family’s experience. It helped them make connections with what they learned in class,” says Raquel.
Ms. Cieplym is part of a team of survivors and children of genocide survivors from The Foundation for Genocide Education who visit high schools.
“International Holocaust Remembrance Day reminds us that remembrance is not passive. Being at John Rennie High School underscores how important it is that students encounter these stories year after year. When young people engage directly with lived histories, they learn why confronting antisemitism and all forms of hatred matters now more than ever. I’m grateful to participate in these moments of learning and remembrance within our community,” says Allison Saunders, Lester B. Pearson School Board Commissioner.
The session ended with a Q and A session where students were invited to ask any question they may have.
One Response
As a teacher and a survivor I am so impressed with the Mrs Lobaton and all he has been allowed to teach and the profound impact this will have on her future students .Hurrah to you for the courage to undertake this project .I feel so proud to have the pleasure of knowing that we have this wonderful person among our staff
Congratulations!!!.
Hope to meet you in the future
Ellen Tissenbaum