New Effort to Raise Awareness of Holocaust among Campus Opinion Leader
WASHINGTON, DC (February 27, 2003) - Hillel has launched a major effort to increase awareness of the Holocaust on college campuses and among campus opinion leaders, thanks to a grant from the Frank and Claire Darmstaedter Estate through the UJA-Federation of New York. The Hillel Darmstaedter Holocaust Education Program will stimulate creative programming about the Holocaust.
"The Holocaust remains a seminal event in world history," explains Hillel Director of Communications Jeff Rubin. "We hope that by supporting creative programs, a new generation will learn the significance of the Holocaust and integrate its lessons into their lives."
The innovative programs include:
- Grants for Holocaust-related programs on campuses
- A listing of Holocaust resources appropriate for the college campus.
- The Hillel AJPA Darmstaedter Journalism Track at the Charlotte B. and Jack J. Spitzer B'nai B'rith Hillel Forum on Public Policy enables college students interested in the fields of journalism and communications to explore the lessons of the Holocaust, to meet with renowned journalists and to explore the ethical issues of journalism and Jewish identity.
- Hillel will strengthen its cooperative efforts with the Anti-Defamation League to combat Holocaust denial on college campuses.
At the February 2003 Journalism Track program, students met with world-renowned experts in the field of journalism and Holocaust education, such as Wall Street Journal Legal Affairs correspondent Robert S. Greenberger and staff director for the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum Committee on Conscience Jerry Fowler. In addition, students toured The Baltimore Sun newspaper, spoke with WBAL television correspondent Deborah Weiner and were given a private tour of the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum where they met with a Holocaust survivor.
The Hillel Darmstaedter Holocaust Education Program is seeking grant applications for programs that could include campus visits by Holocaust survivors, trips to the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum and other sites, and the presentation of plays, concerts and other artistic expressions.
The largest Jewish campus organization in the world, Hillel: The Foundation for Jewish Campus Life is committed to creatively empowering and engaging Jewish students through its network of over 500 campus Foundations, Program Centers and affiliates. Its long-standing dedication to building Jewish identity, while nurturing intellectual and spiritual growth in a pluralistic community, positions Hillel as a leader in building a stronger Jewish people and stronger Jewish future.