On Friday, September 9, eighth grade students at the Rabbi Pesach Raymon Yeshiva were introduced to “Names, Not Numbers©,” a unique, interactive, multi-media Holocaust project created by educator, Tova Fish-Rosenberg. “Names, Not Numbers©” gives the students the opportunity to interview and film Holocaust survivors in person. At the program’s launch on Friday, Rosenberg spoke to the students about the importance of creating an oral history of the tragedy of the Holocaust and emphasized their responsibility to be the witnesses to the witnesses for future generations.

To prepare the students for this important program, they learned interviewing skills, and will be learning filming, audio and editing skills. During the launch, students viewed a moving “Names, Not Numbers©” interview of Dr. Moshe Avital, filmed by students, to aid their understanding of the project and to learn how the right questioning techniques can elicit detailed stories of the survivor’s experience. During the first few months of school, students will also study a Holocaust unit to give them a valuable historical perspective which will enhance the interviewing experience. This is the ninth year that RPRY students will participate in this critical program.

The Names, Not Numbers© program is generously supported by a prominent national foundation.