Kalama School District recently welcomed two inspiring Holocaust speakers to campus for an engaging conversation with Kalama Middle School and Kalama High School students.
During a pair of school-wide assemblies and a subsequent, more intimate Q&A session, Beth Lippman, the daughter of a Holocaust survivor, and Beverley Silver, whose parents endured the Holocaust, recounted the trials their families faced during this historical period, emphasizing the importance of remembrance, tolerance, and standing up against injustice.
“I share my mother’s experience because she was extremely courageous, and I feel it’s useful for students to know her story,” said Lippman.
Kalama teacher Michael Ready facilitated the speaking event through his years-long involvement with the Holocaust Center for Humanity in Seattle.
“These are real people whose lives were greatly affected in ways we cannot comprehend except for when we listen to their stories - and even then, it’s only on a surface level,” said Ready. “When we talk about six million lives lost, we can too often disassociate the fact that these are real people with lives that for the most part, were ended due to hate and prejudice. Further, current studies show 1 in 5 students across the nation are unaware or have a vague understanding of the Holocaust. It is our duty as educators to work with places like the Seattle Holocaust Center for Humanity in creating events like this for students to engage with this important topic.”
For students in KHS’ College in the High School (CITHS) Humanities class, the Holocaust education will continue this spring with a planned field trip to the Seattle Holocaust Center. On the trip, students will also visit the University of Washington and another local museum.
“Central to our CITHS World History curriculum is an in-depth exploration of the Holocaust and other genocides and how they shaped our current world,” explained Ready.
The recent speaking event and upcoming field trip is an illustration of the district’s commitment to providing a comprehensive education that extends beyond textbooks, offering students the opportunity to learn directly from those who have experienced historical events firsthand.
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Our schools thank Beth Lippman and Beverley Silver for sharing their invaluable stories and contributing to the educational enrichment of our students!