Smithtown HS West Student Working On Holocaust Documentary

SMITHTOWN, NY — Chelsea Margolis, a junior at Smithtown High School West, is taking part in "Names, Not Numbers," a documentary film project by the Suffolk Y JCC, the school district announced.

The project will see students sharing the stories of local Holocaust survivors. The program transforms traditional history lessons by combining Holocaust research with lessons in video production, interviewing techniques and film editing.

"We hear about it on TV, but when you actually speak to the person it’s different," Margolis said of the project, according to a news release. "Even if you’re not Jewish it was a great experience to learn about someone’s story."

Margolis said she started working on the project last November, meeting and interviewing three Holocaust survivors.

"The one who stood out the most to me was Rosalie Simon, who was 10 years old during the Holocaust," Margolis said. "She taught me to always follow your dreams because she always
followed hers….she made me want to learn more about my heritage."

The film premiere is scheduled for 6 p.m. April 7 at the Suffolk Y JCC, located at 74 Hauppauge Road, Commack.