A global pandemic could not stop the eighth grade students at Westchester Day School from fulfilling the mitzvah of l’dor v’dor. The students completed six rounds of interviews with Holocaust survivors, who shared their stories of survival as part of “Names, Not Numbers^©”, an international video testimony experience. Following all COVID protocols, students learned first-hand how to interview a Holocaust survivor and preserve their experience in a full-feature documentary.

As part of the closing ceremonies for “Names, Not Numbers^©”, the eighth grade met with Rabbi Lookstein to discuss Jewish faith after living through the trauma of the Holocaust. Rabbi Lookstein explored some of the different reactions survivors have expressed, among them silence, anger, faith and action. Students were encouraged to consider how they might take action now that they are the recipients of several stories of survival. Some different ways that were explored are staying committed to faith, standing up against the manifestations of hate and vowing to hand these stories down to the next generation.

Everyone looks forward to seeing the final product in June!