When a class of high school students agrees to embark on a huge undertaking, and voluntarily creates an entire museum in the style of a well-known annual winter assignment of an admired and recently retired teacher, that’s probably newsworthy.

That’s precisely what took place in Bruriah High School for Girls in February, when the 11th graders created a Holocaust museum, which occupied part of one floor of the school for a week. The museum exhibits highlighted aspects of the Nazis’ rise to power and oppression of the Jews, such as the Reichstag fire, book burnings, the voyage of the St. Louis and the Warsaw Ghetto uprising.

The retired social studies teacher, Joel Glazer of Elizabeth, was deeply touched to hear about and tour the museum. In a note he sent to the students after visiting the museum, he stated: “What a special treat it was to see that you continued the tradition of designing your own museum…the time, effort and creativity that went into your work was obvious. Each of you should be proud of yourselves for taking the initiative.” He also thanked Shlomis Peikes, assistant principal, who helped the students create the museum, informed Glazer of their effort and took him to see the display.

“Being a curator of the Holocaust museum was such an amazing experience, as it gave me the opportunity to learn so much about the Holocaust and it really taught me how to be a leader and take charge of such a great project,” said Mayana Rottenstreich, a Bruriah junior from Edison. “I am thankful to Mr. Glazer for having created this program and granted students like me an opportunity to learn, grow and inspire others.”