Photo by Alex Ozuna
By Laura De Leon and Kayla Dunlevy
Holocaust Remembrance Day provides students several upcoming opportunities to understand tolerance, respect and lessons learned from the Holocaust, including stories told by survivors.
Phi Alpha Theta will host a Holocaust Remembrance Day event 12:30 p.m. April 18 at Main Campus Building in Room 204/207. Anna Rado, a native of Rajka, Hungary and a Holocaust survivor, will speak on her story of courage and survival.
Edward Westermann, assistant professor of history and Holocaust historian said students who are interested in hearing a survivor story will have the opportunity to hear from Rado.
Another occasion for students to immerse themselves in history is the “Holocaust: Learn and Remember” exhibit presented by the San Antonio Public Library, 600 Soledad, through April 7. The exhibit is a partnership between the San Antonio Public Library, the San Antonio Public Library Foundation, the Mazal Holocaust library and the Holocaust Memorial Museum of San Antonio.
The exhibit is composed of more than 80 images on loan from the Mazal Holocaust Library, the largest privately owned library of Holocaust-related materials in the world, according to the library’s website.
Educational events in April will coincide with Yom HaShoah, or Holocaust Remembrance Day, April 8. In Israel, it is a National Memorial Day to commemorate the approximately 6 million Jews who perished in the Holocaust.
Harry W. Mazal, who died in 2011, accumulated and created one of the world’s largest private libraries of Holocaust articles. Mazal dedicated his life, time and resources to creating an arsenal of facts to refute Holocaust deniers and a lasting memorial to the victims, according to the Learn and Remember website. Along with the Central Library exhibit the other branches offer a number of free educational events open to the public.
Westermann said he was able to attend the March 4 opening of the Learn and Remember exhibit and the University co-hosted an event with the Mazal Library last year.
“The Holocaust and these types of exhibits show us what the potential dangers are involved with feelings of intolerance and prejudice,” Westermann said.
His contacts with local museums and agencies have opened opportunities for student involvement.
Westermann said he currently has a student interning at the Holocaust Memorial Museum of San Antonio, 12500 NW Military Hwy.
The Mazal Holocaust Library and The Holocaust History Project are currently accepting applications for student interns and volunteers. For more information, contact Aimee Mazal-Skillin at aimee@mazal-library.org
‘Learn and Remember’ exhibit events
The Boy in the Striped Pajamas
Friday
Movie screening noon and 3 p.m. at Collins Garden Library, 200 N. Park Blvd.
Dramatic reading of works related to the Holocaust
Saturday
Reading 2 p.m. at Semmes Library, 15060 Judson Rd..
Sunday
Movie screening Noon at Collins Garden Library.
Wednesday
Speaker 6 p.m. at Igo Library, 13330 Kyle Seale Pkwy.
Teachers & Educators Discussion
Thursday
Discussion on the Holocaust, bullying, tolerance and diversity at 5:00 p.m. at Parman Library, 20735 Wilderness. Lecture offers tools for educators to implement a plan of action in classrooms and schools. Everyone is welcome.
The Boy in the Striped Pajamas
March 30
Movie screening 2 p.m. at Tobin Library at Oakwell, 4134 Harry Warzbach.
Children’s Story and Discussion Time
April 1
Story reading on bullying, tolerance and diversity 3:30 p.m. at Brookhollow Library,
530 Heimer Rd. The book will be selected based on the age group in attendance. All children are welcome.
Teachers and Educators Discussion
April 3
Discussion on the Holocaust, bullying, tolerance and diversity at 3:30 p.m. Brookhollow Library. Lecture offers tools for educators to implement a plan of action in classrooms and schools. Everyone is welcome.
Holocaust Remembrance Ceremony with survivor Rose Williams
April 7
Speaker 2 p.m. at Central Library.
