This week, MDS eighth grade students interviewed and filmed survivors for the annual “Names Not Numbers^©” Holocaust documentary program. Jillian Weiss, Melissa Appel and filmmaker Michael Puro helped them hone their interviewing, filming, editing and production skills. Students were divided into groups to learn about five Holocaust survivors, studied their biographies and developed questions to prompt them in sharing their stories. They greeted survivors in person for their interviews. In addition, Dr. Kletenik presented a session about faith and religious practice post-Holocaust. Dr. Kletenik offered three different approaches to the topic of emunah, bitachon and free will. Students reflected on these ideas and shared which ones were relatable to each of them. She also spoke about the role and responsibility of the students as witnesses hearing first-hand testimony.

The students, who shared what they had learned with each survivor following their filming session, were inspired and grateful for the opportunity to create this documentary which will be archived in the National Library of Israel in Jerusalem, Yad Vashem and in the Yeshiva University libraries. Thank you to program coordinators Jillian Weiss, Edie Koslowe and Melissa Appel as well as Middle School Principal Sharon Miller for organizing this incredibly meaningful program.