This past week, seniors at MTA had the privilege of meeting with Emmy award-winning reporter and investigative journalist Jonah Kaplan from CBS News. This meeting took place within the context of the award winning “Names Not Numbers®” project, created 20 years ago by Tova Rosenberg (this is MTA’s 18th year). Kaplan met with the approximately 30 seniors who are taking part in this elective project to help them prepare for their interviews with Holocaust survivors.

“You’re digging for memories…” he said. “ You have to go on a journey through their senses—what they smelled when they arrived in Auschwitz, what they said to their parents when they were taken away, what they felt … and why it matters.” Using clips from his own interviews with various guests on CBS News as a model, Kaplan guided the students with good pointers to keep in mind for their own interviews. Some tips he shared were to have a balance of general and specific questions prepared, make the interviewee feel comfortable, let them talk but interrupt if necessary to clarify what they are saying, and be curious, among many others.

The students participated actively in the discussion. “Don’t be afraid to ask questions, “ he advised, “This is your only chance.” Kaplan also shared with students about his personal experiences. He started his career as a sports anchor but transitioned into news in part so he could keep having fun watching his favorite teams instead of working. He has worked his way up from a small TV station in West Texas to now being the investigative reporter at WCCO-TV and CBS News in Minneapolis-St. Paul. Kaplan’s expertise was invaluable and students really appreciated him taking the time to join MTA for this special experience. Students will spend the next two weeks preparing for their interviews, which are scheduled to take place in mid November.