New Holocaust Education Program Comes To Sonoma Co. Schools

SONOMA COUNTY, CA – Powerful Lessons of the Holocaust Teach Thousands of Bay Area Students to Stand up Against Bigotry and Hatred.

With racism and anti-Semitism heating up during these contentious times, one group is out to make sure history isn’t repeated. And it starts with educating young minds.

The JFCS Holocaust Center is launching a new educational program designed to teach students about the Holocaust and the causes and consequences of hatred, anti-Semitism, and indifference — during the Holocaust, as well as in our contemporary world.

This fall, the Children of Willesden Lane Bay Area BIG READ will impact 7,000 children in grades 6-12 in public, independent and religious schools throughout the Bay Area, including several schools in San Francisco and Santa Rosa. Additionally, the BIG READ touches on parallels between the refugees of the Holocaust and the current refugee crisis.

“Today, the national discourse on immigration is loaded with hate speech, bigotry and a fear–based ideology that demonizes immigrants,” said President of the SFUSD Board of Education, Matt Haney. “It is difficult and often emotional work to address these issues, but it is imperative to teach our youth how to identify and confront prejudice, while simultaneously working towards acceptance of all cultures and people. “

The Bay Area BIG READ is a multi-faceted and interdisciplinary educational program that incorporates reading, music, and storytelling.

The curriculum is based on Mona Golabek and Lee Cohen’s book, The Children of Willesden Lane. It’s a moving memoir of a young girl’s escape from Nazi persecution and the generous spirit of the people who gave her refuge. The book is based on the story of Golabek’s own mother

The program goes beyond the classroom and culminates in an award-winning theatrical production that is another interpretation of Golabek’s mother’s story. This live musical performance will bring together thousands of students and teachers at Herbst Theater in San Francisco from Nov. 7-10 with two performances at 10 a.m. to 11 a.m., and 12:30 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. The last performance will recognize local Holocaust survivors, who will be in attendance.

Journalists can visit the classrooms that are participating in the Bay Area BIG READ and have access to teachers and students. Please let us know which of these days you dates and times works best for your schedule

Rancho Cotate High School

Teacher: Kate McGerity

5450 Snyder Lane Rohnert Park, CA 94928-2906

Avail:

Thursday, 10/27/2016 between 11:20 - 12:20 or 2:10 - 3:10

Friday, 10/28- between 11:20 - 12:20 or 2:10 - 3:10

Monday, 10/31- between 11:20 - 12:20 or 2:10 - 3:10;

Tuesday 11/01/2016- between 11:20 - 12:20 or 2:10 - 3:10;

Wednesday 11/02/2016- between 1:05 - 1:45 or 2:33-3:10

Thursday 11/03/2016 - between 11:20 - 12:20 or 2:10 - 3:10

Friday 11/04/2016- between 11:20 - 12:20 or 2:10 - 3:10

The JFCS Holocaust Center, www.jfcholocaustcenter.org is Northern California’s primary resource for education about the Holocaust and other genocide.

To set up classroom visits or to see the performance, please

Contact:

Terri Hardesty

teresita1@mindspring.com

415.686.7361