Speaking Engagements/Activities

 2006

During the summer of 2006 I was able to represent the USHMM at two fundraising functions.  The first was a dinner given in June in Highland Park, Illinois by the Appelbaum family for large donors to the Museum.  Fellows Joyce Witt, David Fript, and myself were able to make some comments to the audience concerning our classroom activities and views on the state of Holocaust education in our spheres of influence and in Illinois.  We were warmly received and were engaged by the donors in a question and answer period.

At the conclusion of the dinner, a man introduced himself to me.  He was J.B. Pritzker, noted Chicago-area philanthropist.  He asked if I would come to his home in Evanston the next week and speak at a dinner he was hosting on behalf of the Illinois Holocaust Museum and Education Center, which at the time was soon to break ground on a new multi-million dollar facility in nearby Skokie.  I agreed, and in a few days my wife and I were the guests at a wonderful outdoor dinner close to the Lake Michigan shore.  I spoke on the impact the USHMM has had on my own life and career, and encouraged the donors present, as well as IHMEC personnel to create in Illinois an institution that would service area teachers as well as the USHMM has done for its Museum Teacher Fellows.  In the course of my comments I related a story about a rescuer from Lodz, Poland:  Leopold Socha. 

Socha had been a petty thief and later sewer worker.  One day while he and his crew were working in the sewers they stumbled upon a family of Jews in hiding.  There were several children, and one of the women was pregnant.  Socha knew that to be found hiding Jews meant certain death; he also knew that the Nazis would reward anyone who turned in Jews.  So, he did what he thought was the only true choice -- he rescued them.  But, for money.  However, when the money ran out, he continued to bring them food and once a week took their dirty clothes and returned them laundered.  At the end of the war, it was Socha who led the surviving Jews from the sewers.

The point of telling the story is this:  I found out about Socha through an activity that was presented at our second Museum Teacher Fellow institute at the USHMM in May 2003.  The presenter was Paul Salmons, an educator from the Imperial War Museum in London.  Through the generosity of the USHMM, all Fellows were able to receive a copy of Salmons' curriculum (which included the Socha lesson).  Years later, while discussing Socha in class and after having watched the film "Schindler's List", a student asked me if Socha was listed among the Righteous by Yad Vashem in Israel.  I said I wasn't sure, but that I would look into it.  After an Internet search proved fruitless, I forwarded the student's question to Steve Feinberg, Director of National Outreach at the USHMM.  He said that he, too, could not verify Socha's status, and that he would check on it himself.  About a week passed and I hadn't heard anything.  Then one morning as I logged into my e-mail I had a correspondence from Yad Vashem.  It was from Victor Paldiel, the Director of the Righteous Among the Nations.  He affirmed that yes, Socha was indeed listed among the Righteous.  My students were amazed that someone of Paldiel's standing had taken the time to answer our question.

The emphasis of my story in Evanston that evening was to show the IHMEC donors what they could create -- an Illinois base for a network of Holocaust scholars and educators around the world at the disposal of not only educators but the general public as well.  Create, assist, and watch the flower bloom. 

November 3-4:  Des Moines, Iowa

Teaching the Holocaust:  Past, Present, and Future @ Foxboro Business Center, Johnston, Iowa

Dr. Joyce Witt, Regional Education Corps and Museum Teacher Fellow from Highland Park, IL and I journeyed to the Des Moines area for a weekend workshop.  The Heartland Iowa AEA sponsored the event, which was a 15-hour institute geared toward teachers and substitute teachers interested in continuing education and recertification credits.  There were 55 instructors present, ranging in expertise from 5th grade through 12th grade.  The weekend was a complete success -- every presentation was very well received as each leader truly held the attention of those assembled.  Below is a topical outline of the workshop:

Friday:

Saturday:

For my Friday session, I gave the attendees a "tour" of the Museum's website.  I made sure everyone saw the search engine at the top of the main page, as well as the e-Community sign-up.  Next we took a look at various links from the "Inside..." navigation bar on the left side of the main page.  Of note were stops in the Holocaust encyclopedia, the personal histories section, and the maps page.  I emphasized that users of the encyclopedia should be sure to maintain a "focus" in their browsing; there is such an immense wealth of information, all hyperlinked/cross-referenced, that one can get very far away from their original query if not careful.  We moved down the left side menu to the other "Inside..." sections.  I walked them through a quick look at the online exhibits section and discussed an assignment teachers could do incorporating the book burning exhibit Fighting the Fires of Hate.

Before I began speaking Saturday, Sue Schirmer, Professional Development Consultant, Heartland AEA, led a networking discussion with the teachers present.  We had discussed at the end of Friday's meetings that so often at teacher inservices there is little to no time allowed for formal conversation between those present.  Sue led a roundtable discussion where instructors could throw out a "best lesson" idea, recommend a book or video, or just impart some small nugget to their colleagues present.  It was a valuable time of pedagogical exchange.

 To lead off Saturday's first session I used a photo exercise I received from the Imperial War Museum's curriculum Reflections, written by Paul Salmons.  Teachers were able to see that not all was what it seemed in targeting the non-Jewish victims.  Due to the previous activity, I did not discuss the persecution of the deaf specifically, but did recommend the book Crying Hands by Horst Biesold as a quality reference.  Within the context of that discussion I also urged students of T-4 and eugenics in general to read The Origins of Nazi Genocide by Henry Friedlander.  Additionally we took a quick look at the Museum's Deadly Medicine online exhibit.  Teachers each received as a gift from the Museum copies of the CD-ROM Teaching the Holocaust, and I pointed out that several brochures (formerly available to teachers in a print version) dealing with the persecution of Poles, the handicapped, Sinti and Roma, homosexuals, and Jehovah's Witnesses were included on the new electronic version.

After a fantastically engaging discussion of the book A Match Made in Hell by Lake Forest, IL author Larry Stillman and a break for lunch, I led a discussion on the use of literature and film in the classroom.  My emphasis was that teachers can certainly use entire films, videos, or books, but shouldn't feel like they have to.  Using two scenes from Schindler's List and a short passage from the book Your Name Is Renee, I worked through some lesson ideas dealing with obedience, power, and hiding and the travails of that option.  "Class participation" was phenomenal, and I think many left with new ideas swirling around in their heads!

Joyce gave nice presentations throughout, and her passion for Holocaust education was never in doubt.  She concluded the conference with a lesson for which she was honored with the Belfer Exemplary Lesson award -- it was a fitting end.  Sue closed the institute with some Iowa-based nuts and bolts on credit the teachers could earn through Drake University, how to evaluate the conference online, etc.  Many teachers personally thanked Joyce and I, and Larry Stillman (who was a big hit) as well.  Several teachers asked for resources, and I received three e-mails upon my return to school Monday as follow-through on those requests.  Their eagerness was both exciting and appreciated.  We'd done good work in Des Moines.

Joyce Witt, Doug Wadley, and Larry Stillman at the conclusion of the Johnston, Iowa conference on Holocaust Education. Photo taken by and copyright Sue Schirmer.

November 14:  Chicago, IL

Teaching About the Holocaust: A Workshop for International Baccalaureate Teachers

Mr. Pete Fredlake, Coordinator of the Museum Teacher Fellowship Program, invited me to assist him in delivering a conference for Chicago Public Schools instructors involved in the International Baccalaureate Program.  The program took place at the John L. Marsh elementary school on the city's south side.  As you can see from the outline below, the teachers were exposed to the Museum's guidelines for teaching about the Holocaust; Pete included a photo activity in his presentation.  I spoke next on the use of photographs, historical documents, and memoirs in the classroom.  I tied in some of the resources found on the Museum's website, mainly in the photo archives, but also touching on the online exhibitions section as well.  Museum Teacher Fellow Dave Fript and his colleague Ingrid Dorer-Fitzpatrick, both from the Latin School in Chicago, spoke with those present about the importance and possibilities of tying past genocides such as the Shoah to current issues -- specifically Darfur.  After a break for lunch, the day concluded with a visit to the Marsh school's computer labs where teachers had the opportunity to further explore the Museum's electronic resources as well as network with one another and Pete and myself on lesson planning.

Conference Outline --

2007

September 10

Fighting the Fires of Hate:  Docent Training
Highland Park, Illinois

As my first assignment as a member of the Regional Education Corps, I was asked to assist Joyce Witt in training docents for the USHMM's traveling exhibit, Fighting the Fires of Hate: America and the Nazi Book Burnings.  The training took place at the host institution, the Highland Park Public Library. 

There were approximately 30 people in attendance, including library staff and staff from the USHMM's Chicago development office.  Joyce Witt accompanied me, and served as an assistant as she has been recovering from a recent illness.  A large percentage of the volunteers who will shepherd visitors through the exhibit are senior citizens; this was a truly enriching facet of my program -- the fact that we had resources in the audience who not only knew a little something about the era, but had lived it!  I was warned ahead of time by Jane Conway, executive director of the HP library, that some of  the prospective docents felt a little intimidated by the topic, its scope, and the use of technology in regard to learning about the exhibit.  One of my first focal points, then, was to allay their apprehension.  Using a laptop, projector, and screen I walked them through navigation of the USHMM's website to the online exhibitions page and the online exhibit.  It was my sense that there was a feeling of relief in the audience and an air of accessibility to expanded information. 

At the conclusion of the program, many docents came to me with thanks for clarifying their roles and for assisting them in what will be their preparation for the October 13 opening of the exhibit.  I am looking forward to the second phase of this training, which will take place with a tour of the exhibit on Sunday, October 14.

Please follow this link to the PowerPoint slides I used in my presentation.

Photo copyright Jeff Krage/For Pioneer Press

On Sunday, 14 October 2007, we held the follow-up training in conjunction with the opening of the exhibit.  Approximately 35 docents, as well as Highland Park Public Library and Museum development staff turned out for the training.  Docents were given the opportunity to walk through the exhibit at their own pace, using questions (created by Joyce Witt) to guide their tour.  After 35-40 minutes, we reconvened to discuss the lay-out of the exhibit, best practices in approaching tour groups and other visitors, and their feedback from the questions.  It was my sense that the volunteers felt somewhat empowered and better-prepared to begin leading tours on their own.  Several seemed eager to use their upcoming shifts to further prepare for the work that lay ahead in the next several weeks.

2008

June 15-17

Belfer Next Step Midwest Conference
Chicago, Illinois

After a planning session at the USHMM in December 2007, four colleagues and I presented the inaugural Belfer Next Step: Midwest Conference in Chicago, Illinois.  Spertus Institute for Jewish Studies hosted the event, and our participants were housed at the Essex Inn just down the block on Michigan Avenue.  The Museum, through a generous grant from the Belfer Foundation, was able to bring in 28 teachers from the states of Minnesota, Iowa, Missouri, Wisconsin, Illinois, Michigan, Indiana, and Ohio.  Teachers left with a near-suitcase full of free resources that gave them new information about not only pedagogical issues, but also Midwestern resources for Holocaust and genocide studies.

Looking north on Michigan Avenue; Spertus Institute for Jewish Studies is the glass-faced building on the left. 
Their former home is in the immediate foreground.

The agenda for the 3-day conference was as follows:

Sunday, June 15, 2008

12:00-1:00       Registration, refreshments

1:00-1:30         Opening Activity
                                    Jesse McClain, Kelly Watson, Museum Teacher Fellows

1:30-2:00         Agenda Overview – Setting the Tone
                                    Doug Wadley, Regional Education Corps

2:15-3:30         Belfer Share/MTF Share and the Purpose of the Next Step
                                    Steve Howell, Museum Teacher Fellow

3:30-4:45         Survivor Testimony
                                    Sidney Finkel, author of Sevek and the Holocaust:  The Boy Who Refused to Die

5:00-6:00         Dinner

6:00-7:00         USHMM Guidelines For Teaching About the Holocaust
                                    Doug Wadley, REC

Monday, June 16, 2008

8:00-9:00         Breakfast

9:00-10:00       “Teaching the Holocaust Through Technology”
                                    Jesse McClain, MTF
 
10:15-11:30     “Research Concerning the Motivations of Holocaust Rescuers”
                                    Dr. Elliott Lefkovitz, Spertus College

12:00-1:00       Lunch

1:00-2:00         “Writing Across the Curriculum and the USHMM Exhibit”
                                    Steve Howell, MTF

2:10-3:05         World Café:  The Shoah In Your Classroom and Beyond

3:15-4:15         Midwest Resources:  Spertus Institute/Museum
                                    Amanda Friedeman, Curator –  Spertus Museum                                                                     

4:15-5:15         Midwest Resources:  Holocaust Memorial Foundation of Illinois
                                    Noreen Brand, Director of Education, Illinois Holocaust Museum and Education Center

5:25-6:15         Dinner

6:15-7:15         “Teaching the Holocaust Through Film”
                                    Kelly Watson, MTF

Tuesday, June 17, 2008

8:00-9:00         Breakfast

9:00-10:00       “Voices From the Lodz Ghetto”
                                    Dr. Helene Sinnreich, Youngstown State University

10:15-11:45     Belfer Exemplary Lessons Initiative/Lesson Study
                                    Sandy Renken, MTF and Belfer Alumnus

11:45-1:30       “Authoring Your Next Step”; working lunch, wrap up, evaluations
                                    Steve Howell, Jesse McClain, Doug Wadley, Kelly Watson, MTFs

1:30                 Dismissal

Museum Teacher Fellow Jesse McClain

Sidney Finkel, author of Sevek and the Holocaust

Doug Wadley, Regional Education Corps

Dr. Elliott Lefkovitz of Spertus College/Loyola University

Museum Teacher Fellow Steve Howell

Participants begin the World Cafe discussion model
   

Noreen Brand of the Illinois Holocaust Museum and Education Center



Museum Teacher Fellow Kelly Watson

Museum Teacher Fellow Sandy Renken



Dr. Helene Sinnreich, Youngstown State University

September 26

Teaching the Holocaust to 21st Century Students
Park City, Utah

The USHMM's traveling exhibit, Fighting the Fires of Hate:  America and the Nazi Book Burnings made a stop in Park City, Utah.  Park City is located about 30 miles east of Salt Lake City, nestled in the Rocky Mountains.  A beautiful ski resort town, and former site of the Olympic Winter Games, Park City was a wonderful location for a fall teacher workshop.

Assisting me at the workshop were Lisa Baumann, Regional Museum Educator from Kansas City, and Merry White, Adult Services Librarian at the Park City Library.  The one-day agenda included the following sessions:

9:00-10:30        USHMM Guidelines For Teaching About the Holocaust and Genocide (click for presentation)                                              
                                              Doug Wadley, REC

10:45-12:00     Fighting the Fires of Hate:  America and the Nazi Book Burnings
                             Tour and Discussion
                                             Doug Wadley and Lisa Baumann, RECs
                            
12:00-12:45      Lunch

12:45-2:00        Survivor Testimony and Discussion
                                             Charles Stein

2:15-3:15          Teaching the Holocaust with Technology
                                             Lisa Baumann, REC

Forty-six teachers attended, and left with numerous teacher resources and new ideas.  The discussions were very good, and we felt that our participants had been empowered to further their mission in the important field of human rights, genocide, and Holocaust study.

 Doug Wadley during the Fighting the Fires of Hate discussion  

 
Lisa Baumann prior to the Teaching the Holocaust with Technology session
                             

Charles Stein greets participants following his testimony

November 15

Teaching the Holocaust in Wisconsin's Schools:
A Workshop for Middle School and High School Teachers
Neville Public Museum of Brown County, Green Bay WI

Late in October I received a contact from the USHMM asking if I'd pinch-hit for another REC and assist Dr. David Lindquist in delivering a one-day workshop in Green Bay.  Since the drive wasn't too far and since the date did not require me to miss any more school I accepted.

It was nice in that David had done all of the legwork, so I basically just had to arrive and do my part.  David had planned a very effective agenda, which follows:

Teaching the Holocaust in Wisconsin’s Schools:
A Workshop for Middle School and High School Teachers

PowerPoints used:

Rationales for Teaching the Holocaust

Suggested Topics for Teaching the Holocaust

Teaching Fighting the Fires of Hate: America and the Nazi Book Burnings

2009

Early in the year, Stephen Feinberg asked if I would assist him in delivering a Forum in Chicago.  As I'd previously participated in a Forum held at DePaul University in 2004, I was eager to pitch in again.  The added incentive of seeing the brand new Illinois Holocaust Museum and Education Center made it a no-brainer.

Below is the agenda for the weekend, as well as a few photographs.  Feedback from the participants was overwhelmingly positive.

The United States Holocaust Memorial Museum, in cooperation with
The Illinois Holocaust Museum and Education Center,

presents 

Teaching about the Holocaust
April 30, May 1-2, 2009 

Thursday, April 30, 2009 

8:45 – 9:00                 Welcoming Remarks
                                    Richard Hirschhaut, Director, Illinois Holocaust Museum and Education Center
                                    Stephen Feinberg, United States Holocaust Memorial Museum  

9:00 – 11:00              An Overview of Holocaust History using “The World Must Know”
                                    Michael Berenbaum, the Berenbaum Group 

11:00 -11:15              Break 

11:15- 1:00                Tour of the Illinois Holocaust Museum and Education Center    

1:00 – 2:00                 Lunch 

2:00 – 3:30                 The Holocaust as presented in the Illinois Holocaust Museum
                                    Michael Berenbaum, the Berenbaum Group             

3:30 – 4:15                 Educational Activities of the Illinois Holocaust Museum
                                    Noreen Brand, Director of Education, Illinois Holocaust Museum                                   

Friday, May 1, 2009 

9:00 – 10:30              Internet Conference I: From Memory to Action
                                    John Heffernan, United States Holocaust Memorial Museum, with the participation of the University of Minnesota and the University of Missouri, St. Louis

Clockwise from top left:  John Heffernan at the USHMM, a classroom at the University of Minnesota, Steve Feinberg at the Illinois Holocaust Museum and Education Center in Skokie, IL, and an auditorium at the University of Missouri-St. Louis.

10:30 – 10:40                        Break 

10:40 – 12:00            Internet Conference II: Teachers in Nazi Germany
                                   Dr. William Meinecke, United States Holocaust Memorial Museum, with the participation of the University of Minnesota and the University of Missouri, St. Louis

12:00 – 1:00              Lunch 

1:00- 1:30                  Discussion on Teachers in Nazi Germany
                                    Doug Wadley and Joyce Witt, Museum Regional Educators, United States Holocaust Memorial Museum  

1:30 – 3:20                 Break Out Sessions 

            1:30-2:05                   Session I           Literature of the Holocaust
                                                Session II          Using Primary Sources to Teach About the Holocaust
                                                Session III         Nazi Racial Ideology 

            2:05-2:15                   Break 

            2:15-2:50                   Session I           Literature of the Holocaust
                                                Session II          Using Primary Sources to Teach About the Holocaust
                                                Session III         Nazi Racial Ideology 

            2:50-3:25                   Session I           Literature of the Holocaust
                                                Session II          Using Primary Sources to Teach About the Holocaust
                                                Session III         Nazi Racial Ideology 

3:25 – 4:30                 Guidelines for Teaching about the Holocaust 
                                    Joyce Witt, Museum Regional Educator, United States Holocaust Memorial Museum            

Saturday, May 2, 2009 

9:00 – 10:30              Lesson Study – The Road to Auschwitz
                                    Doug Wadley, Museum Regional Educator, USHMM 

10:30 – 11:30             Electronic Resources for Teaching about the Holocaust
                                    Stephen Feinberg, United States Holocaust Memorial Museum 

11:30 – 11:45             Break 

11:45 – 12:45            A Survivor Remembers
                                    Fritzie Fritzshall, Holocaust Survivor   

Return to The Holocaust:  Teaching the Shoah to High School Students