Holocaust Resource Center Hosts Open House For Teachers

Educators throughout South Jersey came to the Sara and Sam Schoffer Holocaust Resource Center at Richard Stockton College on Thursday not only to prep lessons for students, but to get an important lesson in humanity.

The teachers came to learn more about teaching the Holocaust to elementary-age students.

"Students are interested in people and how this happened," said Lauren Bartolone who teaches at St. Joseph's Regional Elementary School in Hammonton.

All of the teachers agreed that memorizing dates are an ineffective teaching strategy. 

"When students can go to the human side, they can make the connection," said fellow St. Joe Regional Elementary teacher Mimi Vaccarella.

The Holocaust center flowed with ideas for lessons on Thursday, which marked the center's third annual open house.

Leanne Parker, a seventh grade teacher at Port Republic Elementary School discussed how she pushes her students to be free thinkers.

"I throw a scenario to the students and put it in their hands," said Parker, who then suggested ways the other teachers in the room could engage and relate students' lives to the lives of those during the Holocaust.

Gail Rosenthal, the resource center's director, gave guidance for teachers every step of the way. She provided them information from setting up a presenter for their school to the No. 1 question students ask about the Holocaust.

"Why didn't the Jews resist?  Because it was such a slow process going into the concentration camps," said Rosenthal.

Dorene Sellarole, a graduate student who volunteers in the resource center, helped gather materials and resources for the teachers. 

"When I was an undergrad, I took the minor [in genocide studies]," said Sellarole, a former U.S. Air Force officer. "It really changed my mind on my career. It's nice to come here. This is where I meet Holocaust survivors."

Nicole Magill, another graduate student and descendant of Holocaust survivors, showed teachers pictures of different survivors on the wall, including her grandfather's portrait.

"If you can put a face to a name, then you can remember," Magill said.

Out of the whole exhibit, Rosenthal maintains that the memoirs of survivors compiled by Maryanne McLoughlin are the most important. 

"In years to come, our survivors will no longer be with us," said Rosenthal. "All we'll have left are these memoirs."

The center is located upstairs in the Richard Stockton College of New Jersey Library. It is open Monday through Thursday, 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Fridays from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. 

School groups and educators are welcome. To schedule a tour, call Gail Rosenthal at (609) 652-4699 or email gail.rosenthal@stockton.edu.