HEC-TV Live! Presents Survivor Stories of the Holocaust

HEC-TV Live! Presents
                            Survivor Stories of the Holocaust

Dates: January 26, 2011
Times: 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. CT or 2:00 to 3:00 p.m. CT
Grade Levels: 7-12
Cost: NO CHARGE

Abstract:
Take your study of the Holocaust and World War II to individuals who survived both. Interact
with Holocaust survivors from WWII. Learn what it was like to live in fear and danger both
before and during the war and live with hope and opportunity after being liberated.

Program Description:

What was it like to be a Jew in Europe prior to World War II? How was your life different from
non-Jews? What did you know about the regime in Nazi Germany and what happened to you as
a result of its rule? What was it like to be sent away from your parents on the Kindertransport or
to stay in your home country and be taken away to a concentration camp? What was life like in
the camps? What did it mean to be liberated? For this very special program, take your study of
World War II and the Holocaust to individuals who lived through them. Ask these questions and
more as you interact with Holocaust survivors.

Our focus in this program will not be exploring the historic details of World War II or the
Holocaust, but it will be to provide students the rare and important opportunity to speak directly
with those who lived during that time and survived to share their experiences with others. This
program will come live from the Holocaust Museum and Learning Center in St. Louis. The
program will also include information about resources available through the Center.

Program Objectives:

1. The participant will gain a greater understanding of what it meant to live during the
Holocaust.
2. The participant will interact with individuals providing primary source accounts of recent
world events.
3. The participant will meet people and hear stories from diverse perspectives.

Program Format:

The videoconference program will consist of the following segments.

1. Welcome and Introduction—Student groups and experts will be introduced and welcomed to
the program.

2. Interaction with the Survivors—Students will hear directly from individuals who lived during
World War II and suffered during the Holocaust, and have the opportunity to ask each of them
questions. Once you have enrolled for the program, we will send you the list of guests joining us
for your program. This list will include brief biographical information on each. Please use this
information to help your students develop questions for the program.

3. Closing Segment--Including summary of topics discussed and final questions from students.

Featured National Standards (History):

Grades 5-12:
Historical Thinking Standards
2. Historical Comprehension
          B. Reconstruct the literal meaning of a historical passage by identifying who was involved, what happened,
where it happened, what events led to these developments, and what consequences or outcomes followed.
          C. Identify the central question(s) the historical narrative addresses and the purpose, perspective, or point of
view from which it has been constructed.
          F. Appreciate historical perspectives--(a) describing the past on its own terms, through the eyes and
experiences of those who were there, as revealed through their literature, diaries, letters, debates, arts, artifacts, and
the like; (b) considering the historical context in which the event unfolded--the values, outlook, options, and
contingencies of that time and place; and (c) avoiding “present-mindedness,” judging the past solely in terms of
present-day norms and values.

4. Historical Research Capabilities
          A. Formulate historical questions from encounters with historical documents, eyewitness accounts, letters,
diaries, artifacts, photos, historical sites, art, architecture, and other records from the past.
          B. Obtain historical data from a variety of sources, including: library and museum collections, historic sites,
historical photos, journals, diaries, eyewitness accounts, newspapers, and the like; documentary films, oral testimony
from living witnesses, censuses, tax records, city directories, statistical compilations, and economic indicators.

5. Historical Issues—Analysis and Decision-Making
         A. Identify issues and problems in the past and analyze the interests, values, perspectives, and points of
view of those involved in the situation.

Featured State Standards (Missouri):
Schools from across the country are invited to join in the program. Missouri state standards are
provided for Missouri schools since partial funding for this program comes from Missouri
organizations.

Show Me Performance Standards:
Goal 1 – 1, 2, 4, 5, 7, 9
Goal 2 - 1, 2, 4, 7
Goal 3 - 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8

Goal 4 - 1, 5, 6

Social Studies Knowledge Standards - 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7
Communication Knowledge Standards - 1, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7

Participant Preparation:
1. Participants should come to the program with an interest in the stories of history and how they
can learn from them.

2. Participants should utilize preparatory materials provided for the program and other resources
of their own to better understand the context of the program’s subject and to think in advance of
questions they wish to ask the experts. Any questions determined in advance, can be e-mailed to
us prior to the program at live@hectv.org.

3. Participants should have pencil and paper ready to use during the program to jot down ideas
and additional questions as they come to mind.

Pre-Program Activity Suggestions:

1. Upon enrollment in the program, you will receive a list of the guests joining us for your
program. This list will include brief biographical information about each. Also included will be
website resources and other resources related to their story to share with your students. Students
should view this material to help develop question they wish to ask our guests during the
program.

2. Check out other HEC-TV Holocaust-themed free downloadable programs available on the
HEC-TV page on iTunes U. Once you arrive on the HEC-TV page, you’ll find the icon entitled
“Holocaust Stories.” Select segments of each program for students to view to help in their
understanding of the Holocaust and their development of questions for our guests in this
program.

3. Help facilitate the most effective discussion possible during the program by e-mailing us three
to five “burning questions” your students have developed in advance to ask each of our guests
during the program. We will use these advance questions to help organize the discussion and
focus student learning on these areas of interest. Please send these questions to us no later than
Monday, January 24. We will forward the questions to our guests to help them prepare for the
program. Please also include the name of the student who will be asking the question so we can
call on them by name during the program. The questions should be e-mailed to us at
live@hectv.org.

Post-Program Activity Suggestions:

1. Have students compare their previous understanding of what they thought it would mean to
be a Holocaust survivor with their view of that situation after participating in the program. What
surprised them the most? What reinforced what they already believed? What new insights did

they gain into the military and wartime experience? Have students share their thoughts in class
discussion, journal entries, or written reports.

2. To extend their study of the Holocaust and its effects on survivors, have students check out
other HEC-TV Holocaust-themed free downloadable programs available on the HEC-TV page
on iTunes U. Once you arrive on the HEC-TV page, you’ll find the icon entitled “Holocaust
Stories.” Select segments of each program for students to view to help in their understanding of
the Holocaust and their development of questions for our guests in this program.

3. Have students write a letter to one of the guests from our program detailing an insight the
student gained from hearing their story, an appreciation for their participation, and/or another
focus area of their choice.

Program Keywords:

Holocaust, history, United States, United States history, American history, World War II,

Vocabulary Words and Definitions:

There is no specific vocabulary needed for this program.

Supplemental Resources:

More information about the St. Louis Holocaust Museum and Learning Center can be found at
http://www.hmlc.org/. There are excellent pre and post activities and discussion questions here.

To access information and resources from the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum can be
found at http://www.ushmm.org/.

Resources from The Holocaust Centre in Britain can be found at
http://hcentrenew.aegisdns.co.uk/.

Additional resources about World War II can be found at http://www.nationalww2museum.org/,
the website of the United States National World War II Museum.

HEC-TV has several programs about the Holocaust and Survivors. Descriptions and links are
below.

Hear from Holocaust Survivor, Ela Weissberger, as she talks about her experiences in a
concentration camp and how being in the cast of Brundibar helped ease the trauma.
Website - http://www.hectv.org/programs/ser/a_conversation/ep129.php
iTunes U - http://deimos3.apple.com/WebObjects/Core.woa/Browse/hectv-
public.1677438086.01677438088

Holocaust Survivor George Brady, brother of Hana Brady, whose life story is portrayed in the
book and play "Hana's Suitcase," discusses the worldwide impact of his sister's short life, family

memories, and his own experiences in WWII concentration camps.
Website - http://www.hectv.org/programs/ser/a_conversation/ep6.php
iTunes U - http://deimos3.apple.com/WebObjects/Core.woa/Browse/hectv-
public.1677438086.01677438088

Hidden Treasures tells the story of five families and their efforts to smuggle family heirlooms —
out of Germany and Poland during World War II.
Website - http://www.hectv.org/programs/ser/liquidlight/ep68.php
iTunes U - http://deimos3.apple.com/WebObjects/Core.woa/Browse/hectv-
public.1677111300.01677111302

Finally we have Scattered Seeds-Hidden Children of the Holocaust. This film tells the story of
two Holocaust Survivors who were hidden in Nazi-ruled Europe for several years until they
migrated United States. Family and friends of these hidden children sacrificed their own fates in
hope that one day the children would get to live fruitful lives.
Website - http://www.hectv.org/programs/ser/liquidlight/ep91.php
iTunes U - http://deimos3.apple.com/WebObjects/Core.woa/Browse/hectv-
public.1677111300.01677111302

Cancellation Policy:

Since there may well be a waiting list for interactive participation, we ask that you let us know of
your need to cancel as soon as you know.

Technology Specifications:

Once we have received your enrollment, we will contact you requesting the IP address of the VC
unit you'll be using to connect to the program and also to arrange a test call between you and our
bridge organization MOREnet. Both these steps must be completed to finalize your participation
in the program.