John Carroll has been remembering Holocaust survivors for more than 30 years. Originating as part of the Human Rights program and including ‘Night’ by Elie Wiesel as a part of the English curriculum, Holocaust Studies have become an important part of JC.
On March 4, students had the opportunity to guide and personally meet with 17 guests including Holocaust survivors as well as their children and grandchildren.
Visitors this year, through the Baltimore Jewish Counsel, were invited by Academics Project Manager Louise Geczy who has learned immensely from their stories in years prior.
Mrs. Geczy explained, “I think that human rights is something that all of us need to be aware of, need to be concerned about, and need to try and implement in positive ways whenever it is that we can.”
She added, “I was very fortunate when I was teaching many years ago… to be invited to a program with Holocaust survivors, and it really had a tremendous impact on me.”
The day began with the opening program at 9:00 am in the auditorium for seniors and guests with an opening prayer led by Director of Mission and Ministry Kenneth Goedeke.
Along with an introduction to the day, Assistant Principal Jake Hollin called for all students and visitors to see the light within the dark.
“I think sometimes when you focus on heavier topics like genocide and mass killings, it can get very hard; it is hard to see that there are people who have stood up along the way who have looked out for others… and not counted the costs,” he explained.
He added, “One of the things I try to stress each year is that there is bad in the world, but there is good in the world. There are people who are actively fighting oppression and injustices, and a lot of it is ‘see the good,’ and sometimes you have to look a little deeper.”
Senior Taylor Pate then introduced Keynote Speaker Marsha Tishler to share her personal and post-Holocaust story.
Mrs. Tishler, born in Poland, credited her parents and a Ukrainian couple for her life. Today, Mrs. Tishler holds a Master of Liberal Arts degree from Johns Hopkins University. She served eight years as Director of Holocaust Programs at the Baltimore Jewish Council.
From sharing experiences as an infant and child to a beautiful homage to those who she lost and met along the way, she conveyed an impactful message.
Beginning at 10:15 am, students and their designated speakers broke into small group testimony sessions in the building.
Senior Maddie Mullahey said, “Lola Hahn had a very impactful story because she shared a story about her aunts that was very unique to the other stories, we heard that day.”
Student guides then had time during lunch to speak with guests and learn more about their experiences and immerse themselves in the experience.
The Patriettes performed “All the Things You Are” by Oscar Hammerstein II and Jerome Kern as a tribute to the Jewish community.
Afterwards, in the auditorium, President Steve DiBiagio appeared on video to share the story of how his father liberated camps during the Holocaust, and he closed with meaningful takeaways for the seniors.
Four seniors, Kallissa Coats, Hailey Lowe, Alayna McCubbin, and Maggie Scheidhauer, then read arguments related to The Sunflower by Simon Wiesenthal that they had written as part of their English 4 class. Arguments described whether or not a Nazi soldier should be forgiven for his role in the Holocaust.
Senior Juli Aragon said, “I think that the essays were a good opportunity to share their perspective on the Holocaust and whether or not Nazis should’ve been forgiven or not.”
Lucas Lakatta said, “I thought they were good because they helped me see different viewpoints.”
Mrs. Geczy concluded, “Everybody in whatever way they can, can make a difference, you may not save hundreds of people, but you can make one person feel like they’re valued and stand up for one person.”