Echoes and Reflections: Improving Holocaust education in Ohio

Ohioans are witnessing an alarming rise in antisemitic incidents, while, at the same time, it is becoming clear that fewer Americans than ever have even a basic understanding of what happened during the Holocaust or why that is still pressingly relevant today. Effective Holocaust curriculum in our classrooms is crucial to changing that, and studies show bad Holocaust education is worse than none at all. That's why a central Ohio synagogue is hosting middle and high school educators for a free two-day seminar this summer in a partnership with the national group Echoes and Reflections to offer professional development, classroom materials, and a powerful learning experience for all.

REGISTER FOR THE FREE SEMINAR FOR EDUCATORS | Click here for more information about the upcoming Echoes and Reflections workshop hosted by Congregation Beth Tikvah in Worthington on June 6-7, 2023, with an optional trip to the Holocaust & Humanities Center in Cincinnati on the 8th. Register by May 15.

PROGRAM SCHEDULE & HIGHLIGHTS:

June 6th, 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM | Foundations of Holocaust Education: Focus on Nazi Germany June 6th, 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM | Analyzing Propaganda and Teaching Media Literacy: the Holocaust as a Case Study June 7th, 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM | Teaching the Holocaust Using the Humanities: Integrating Photographs, Literature, Art, and Poetry to tell the Human Story June 7th, 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM | Antisemitism: Understanding and Countering this Hatred Today June 8th | Teachers can opt for a third day, or those who cannot make the first days, can join for a trip to the Holocaust & Humanities Center in Cincinnati. A bus will be provided. Free lunch between sessions on June 6 & 7Upon completion of the seminar, teachers will receive a certificate from Echoes & Reflections which can be turned in for 12 contact hours equal to 1.2 CEUs

ABOUT ECHOES AND REFLECTIONS | A joint program between the Anti-Defamation League, the USC Shoah Foundation, and Yad Vashem, the World Holocaust Remembrance Center in Jerusalem, since 2005, Echoes and Reflections has impacted more than 125,000 educators in the United States, reaching an estimated 12 million students—and at no cost. Through its Holocaust education programs and resources, educators gain the skills, knowledge, and confidence to teach this topic effectively. Click here to learn more about bringing the free Echoes and Reflections teacher training to your colleagues.

Featured Education Matters guest: 

Rabbi Rick Kellner, Congregation Beth Tikvah, Worthington, OhioRabbi Rick Kellner has served as the Senior Rabbi of Congregation Beth Tikvah in Worthington since 2011. Rabbi Kellner is a graduate of the State University of NY at Albany where he studied Spanish with a focus in Secondary Education. He was ordained as a rabbi in 2007 from the Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion Los Angeles campus. While studying at H.U.C., he also earned Masters Degrees in Jewish Education and Hebrew Letters. Rabbi Kellner currently serves as a Vice President of the Central Conference of American Rabbis. He has been a leader in Social Justice here in Ohio with an active involvement in BREAD and the Ohio Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism. Rabbi Kellner loves teaching, telling stories, working to make the world a better place, and engaging with congregants to help them find meaning and purpose in their lives.

SUBSCRIBE | Click here to subscribe to Education Matters on Apple Podcasts or click here to subscribe on Google podcasts so you don't miss a thing. And don't forget you can listen to all of the previous episodes anytime on your favorite podcast platform, or by clicking here.

Connect with OEA:

Email [email protected] with your feedback or ideas for future Education Matters topicsLike OEA on FacebookFollow OEA on TwitterFollow OEA on InstagramGet the latest news and statements from OEA hereLearn more about where OEA stands on the issues Keep up to date on the legislation affecting Ohio public schools and educators with OEA's Legislative Watch

About us:

The Ohio Education Association represents about 120,000 teachers, faculty members and support professionals who work in Ohio’s schools, colleges, and universities to help improve public education and the lives of Ohio’s children. OEA members provide professional services to benefit students, schools, and the public in virtually every position needed to run Ohio’s schools.Education Matters host Katie Olmsted serves as Media Relations Consultant for the Ohio Education Association. She joined OEA in May 2020, after a ten-year career as an Emmy Award winning television reporter, anchor, and producer. Katie comes from a family of educators and is passionate about telling educators' stories and advocating for Ohio's students. She lives in Central Ohio with her husband and two young children. Her grandfather escaped Nazi Germany as a Jewish refugee when he was 13 years old. Katie's great-grandparents and other family members were murdered in the Holocaust. 

This episode was recorded on April 10, 2023. 

Yom HaShoah, Holocaust Remembrance Day, was April 18, 2023.