Nearly 300 LI Students Attend Holocaust Conference In Commack

COMMACK, NY — Nearly 300 high school students from across Long Island gathered in Commack this month for a day of Holocaust education, firsthand testimony and anti-bias programming at the Suffolk Y JCC’s YOUnity Teen Conference.

Held on Wednesday, March 18, the half-day conference brought together students in grades 9-12 for an immersive experience designed to deepen their understanding of the Holocaust while encouraging them to confront hate and intolerance in their own communities.

“The Teen Conference on the Holocaust is designed not only to educate, but to move students to think, feel, and act,” said Jane Pashman, program director of the Anti-Bias Initiative at the Suffolk Y JCC. “The students learned about the selfless acts of individuals who risked everything to save others, and how we all have the power to create a future of kindness and respect.”

The event featured firsthand testimony from Holocaust survivors Meir Usherovitz and Manfred Korman, giving students a direct connection to history through personal stories of survival. Attendees also explored historical artifacts and exhibits on loan from the Holocaust Memorial and Tolerance Center and Suffolk County Community College’s Holocaust Collection.

The program concluded with a keynote address from Nick Winton, the son of Holocaust rescuer Sir Nicolas Winton, whose efforts to save Jewish children during World War II were later depicted in the film One Life.

YOUnity Conferences are offered free of charge through a partnership with Suffolk County Community College and aim to empower students to speak out against hate, celebrate diversity, and foster more inclusive communities.

For many students, the experience also sparked a sense of personal responsibility.

“Ordinary people can speak out against bullying, stand up for what they believe in, and try to spread positivity and awareness as much as possible,” one student said.

Rick Lewis, CEO of the Suffolk Y JCC, said programs like the YOUnity Conference are critical in helping young people connect history to present-day responsibility.

“By hearing firsthand testimony and engaging with these stories, students gain a deeper understanding of the consequences of hatred and the importance of standing up for others,” Lewis said.