Students in the 6th, 7th, and 8th grades at Ben Porat Yosef had a moving experience attending the International Day of Commemoration in Memory of the Victims of the Holocaust at the United Nations on January 28th. The students learned from presentations by United Nations-Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon; President of Israel Reuven Rivlin (who delivered parts of his speech in Hebrew); Holocaust survivor Jona Laks, and Holocaust Educational Trust Ambassador from the United Kingdom Charlotte Cohen.

The students were particularly captivated by the story and message of Mrs. Laks, who implored them, as part of the next generation, to take seriously their responsibility to never let this dark chapter in history repeat itself. “The Holocaust didn’t have to happen then, and we have to make sure that it does not happen in our generation,” said Aliza Cohn, a 6th-grader. “We have the responsibility to make sure of that.”

The students were also enthralled by Charlotte Cohen, who, at 17 years old, serves as a youth advisor to the United Kingdom Holocaust Commission, to which she was appointed by Prime Minister David Cameron. The students felt empowered listening to a person close to their own age speak in front of a large audience about tolerance, acceptance, and the significance of education in countering negative stereotypes and impressions.

Attending this ceremony gave the students a sense of the impact of history and also inspired them to realize their own ability to impact the world. “It was amazing to sit in the same room where so many important decisions happened in our history, to hear how people sympathize with the history of the Jewish people, and to gain an understanding of how we can make a difference,” remarked Ariel Chechik, an 8th grade student.

BPY’s administration is proud of its junior high students, and is confident in their abilities to effect positive change in the world.