To commemorate Yom HaShoah v’Gevurah, the middle school students were invited to participate in two meaningful programs this week. Before Yom HaShoah, the eighth graders received a sneak-peek of the photographic exhibit, “No Child’s Play,” which is on loan from The American Society for Yad Vashem, and met Director of Education Dr. Marlene Yahalom. After a dedicated time to explore the exhibit, Dr. Yahalom led students in a discussion about the unique experience of children during the Holocaust. The exhibit subsequently opened to all WDS faculty and grades five to eight students for the duration of the week.

The theme of the Yom Hashoah commemoration was M’dor L’dor: From Generation to Generation: Why I Tell My Story. The fifth grade joined the middle school students for the honor of meeting with Dr. Jeffrey Berger, a WDS parent, who shared his father Frank Berger’s story of survival. He also discussed his role as a second-generation survivor and the importance of carrying and sharing his family’s Holocaust memories. This one-hour program, which commenced with a memorial candle-lighting facilitated by sixth grade students, reaffirmed the imperative of zachor, remember, so that the Jewish community continues to be emboldened by our collective past and dedicated to our common future.

Each student was also given a special bag of remembrance to bring home, containing a special yahrzeit candle and a sheet of reflection quotes and questions for continuing the conversation as a family.