On December 7, 2020 the second cohort of the Remember Project met virtually for the fifth time. This year's Remember Project cohort is comprised of 20 teens from diverse backgrounds representing eight local public and private schools in the greater Charleston area. During the meeting, the students were given time to work in small groups to discuss the resources they’ve learned about to so far and to plan with their peers. Read below as Julia Richards, sophomore at Ashley Hall, reflects on this experience. 

 

The Holocaust has been something that I have been learning about independently for many years. Knowing what occurred during the Holocaust made me passionate about doing whatever I could to educate myself and others on the Holocaust and genocides, and the hope to prevent genocides in the future with that knowledge.

After joining the cohort, we have had amazing opportunities to learn about the Holocaust and ways to get involved in our community. At Ashley Hall, we are planning the planting of 250 daffodils this week which will represent 250 of the 1.5 million children lost in the Holocaust.

During out meeting yesterday, we heard about the  Edward Brodsky Fellowship that two of our cohort members participated in with the Anti-Defamation League (ADL). They shared what they learned during the fellowship and led us in a discussion on oppression, being a strong ally, and the problems our country faces currently that connect with the work of the ADL.

During next month’s meeting, we will work on our plan to draft a proclamation encouraging our representatives to make Holocaust education mandatory in South Carolina schools. I am especially excited about this because I joined this cohort to learn and to ensure that others have the opportunity to do the same.  

 

*Julia Richards was selected to participate in the second cohort of the Remember Project. High school students have a rare and unique opportunity to study the Holocaust and other genocides by becoming an ambassador in their school and community through the Remember Project. For high school students looking for a meaningful and profound community service experience, this cohort is an excellent option with monthly meetings to ensure this next generation is committed to ‘Always remembering’. For more information on the Remember Program visit https://www.jewishcharleston.org/remember