The Syracuse City School District, in partnership with 3GNY, an education nonprofit, will welcome grandchildren of Holocaust survivors into middle and high school classrooms on March 23 for a unique educational experience.
‘Living Links for Syracuse Schools,’ a special one-day program, will utilize Microsoft Teams to bring these special guests into 8th and 10th grade classrooms throughout the District to tell their personal family stories of survival. Students at Syracuse Latin, Clary Middle School, Grant Middle School, Expeditionary Learning Middle School, Lincoln Middle School, Syracuse STEM at Blodgett Middle School, Roberts Pre-K-8 School, Frazer Pre-K-8 School, HW Smith Pre-K-8 School, Huntington Pre-K-8 School, Corcoran High School, Henninger High School and the Institute of Technology at Syracuse Central (ITC) will benefit from this experience.
“The Syracuse City School District Social Studies Department is proud to be participating in an opportunity that makes history come alive and allows our students to develop context and empathy as they strive to become global citizens,” SCSD Supervisor of Social Studies Nick Stamoulacatos said. “Studies show that students who receive Holocaust education are more tolerant and comfortable with people of different races and backgrounds. They’re more willing to challenge incorrect or biased information and are more likely to be upstanders.”
“With hate crimes and antisemitism on the rise and schools around the country questioning how or even if they can teach this history, 3GNY is thrilled to bring our program at such a scale to Syracuse schools,” said David Wachs, President of 3GNY. “As the last living link to firsthand accounts of the Holocaust, we are committed to keeping the stories alive and leveraging them to prepare the next generation for a better, peaceful, and more tolerant future.”
3GNY is an education nonprofit made up of third generation descendants of Holocaust survivors (3Gs) committed to educating diverse audiences on the perils of intolerance. The hallmark We Educate (WEDU) program provides training for 3Gs to compellingly share their grandparents’ stories of survival in school settings, and connect the lessons we can take from the Holocaust to challenges of the modern day.
With a generous donation from the local Charlamb, Rubenstein, Wells, and Wladis families, 3GNY provided 18 speakers, presenting to 25 classrooms and reaching more than 1,000 students all in one day. SCSD and 3GNY leveraged virtual learning technology to bring speakers from across the country into Syracuse classrooms for this important educational opportunity. After hearing the stories, students have the opportunity to ask questions, engage in discussions with the speaker, and start broader conversations among their peers and with teachers.
The discussion will take place in the school auditorium (1613 James Street) from 9:35 am to 10:10 am, as well as virtually; Wednesday, March 23rd as students engage with speaker Sarah Pila-Leiderman.
