Yeshivat He’Atid marked Yom HaShoah with a meaningful, student-driven tekes led by its eighth grade class. As part of a semester-long Project Based Learning experience, students researched and designed Holocaust museum exhibits, culminating in original performances inspired by survivor testimonies. Through stories of Regina Spiegel, Theodora Klayman and Margit Meissner, students honored the memory of the victims and celebrated the resilience of survivors.

Middle school students also had the honor of hearing from guest speaker Ron Siesser, who shared the extraordinary story of his grandfather, Holocaust survivor Alphons Sperber, as chronicled in his novel Live and Be Counted. His moving account highlighted Alphons’ escape from Austria, survival in France and Switzerland, and ultimate journey to America. The personal connection to the He’Atid community—Alphons is the great-grandfather of fifth grader Nathan Perlmutter—made the experience even more powerful.

Through learning, remembrance and storytelling, Yeshivat He’Atid continues to ensure that the lessons of the Holocaust live on for future generations.