Last week, the eighth graders at Westchester Day School stood at the intersection of memory and responsibility as they premiered the 2025 Names, Not Numbers® Holocaust documentary. This moving film marked the culmination of a year-long educational journey in which students researched, interviewed, filmed and preserved the testimonies of six Holocaust survivors.

This transformative experience was made possible through the visionary Names, Not Numbers® program, founded by Mrs. Tova Fish-Rosenberg, and under the dedicated guidance of Mrs. Jill Rivel, Names, Not Numbers® Faculty Coordinator at WDS. Through each stage of the process, students deepened their understanding of history, developed skills in journalism and filmmaking and formed personal connections to the stories and lives of Holocaust survivors.

This project is far more than a curriculum milestone. It is a sacred act of remembrance and a living testament to the power of L’Dor V’Dor—passing down memory, values and identity from generation to generation. At a time when Holocaust denial and distortion continue to rise, this kind of immersive, student-driven learning is not only meaningful—it is essential.