Honoring the legacy of Holocaust child survivor Cecile Holzman Seiden, the Holocaust Council of Greater MetroWest will sponsor the Cecile Seiden Annual Teachers’ Conference on Friday, March 20, 9 a.m.-2:30 p.m. at the Alex Aidekman Family Jewish Community Campus, Whippany.

Seiden, a teacher, school principal, artist, and member of the New Jersey Commission on Holocaust Education, was instrumental in creating its Holocaust curriculum for grades five-eight. The first annual conference was held just a few months after her death in 2007.

Featured presenters at the conference are Deborah A. Batiste, project director for the Echoes and Reflections Holocaust education program at the Anti-Defamation League; Alan Chernoff, former CNN and CNBC senior correspondent and author of The Tailors of Tomaszow; and Michael Zeiger, a child survivor saved by a righteous rescuer and whose story is depicted in a children’s book, The Secret of the Village Fool.

Seiden immigrated to the United States in 1954 and completed her education at Rutgers University. Married to Norbert Seiden, they had two daughters and 10 grandchildren. After retiring from her position as educational director of the Summit Jewish Community Center, Seiden devoted much of her time teaching children, youth, educators, and the general community about the Holocaust. In addition to being an educator, Seiden was also a noted calligrapher and crafter.

The conference and teaching materials are free and include a copy of the “Echoes and Reflections” curriculum and DVD. Educators will receive five professional development credits.

Coffee, tea, and a light breakfast will be served at 8:30 a.m. A kosher lunch will be served, and teachers will have the opportunity to discuss challenges and share best practices and favorite lesson plans.

For more information, contact Barbara Wind at (973) 929-3066 or [email protected].