Through the ”Names Not Numbers©” program, the JKHA eighth graders are creating a moving documentary featuring brave women and men who survived the atrocities of the Holocaust.

The students recently met with their assigned survivors to hear their recollections of World War II and the Holocaust and record their stories for posterity. Four of them are relatives of JKHA eighth grade students, making the program even more meaningful. The eight survivors shared their experiences with the students, who will likely be the last generation to hear these accounts firsthand. The eighth graders displayed empathy and compassion throughout the moving question and answer sessions with the survivors.

The students were previously mentored by Jordana Horn, a professional journalist to learn about appropriate interview techniques as well as a professional videographer who taught the students how to properly film the interviews. Students also participated in a session this week on emunah with JKHA Judaics faculty member Rabbi Greenberg.