PSA DAy 2024

The Holocaust & Antisemitism Educators Association partnered with the BC Social Studies Teachers Association for the GLOBAL AFFAIRS DEVELOPMENT CONFERENCE.

HAEA President Eyal Daniel and HAEA member Mark Figuiera preesented the session HOLOCAUST & ANTISEMITISM EDUCATION IN BC: LOOKING BACK, MOVING FORWARD

Additionally, Kit Krieger of the BC Ministry of Education presented APPROACHES TO TEACHING THE HOLOCAUST

OCTOBER 25

UBC | NEVILLE SCARFE BUILDING

NOTABLE PRESENTATIONS

Holocaust and Antisemitism Education in BC – Looking Back, Moving Forward!

October 25 | AM Session 10:30 AM - 12:00 PM | PM Session 1:00 PM - 2:30

In-Person | Roundtable | Elementary School Teachers | Middle School Teachers | Secondary School Teachers

About the Session

According to a recent study, a third of North American students surveyed believe the Holocaust was either exaggerated or fabricated, Canada has recorded a 670% increase of incidents of antisemitism compared to 2023. In other words, Holocaust denial, distortion, and antisemitism are on the rise. With the Holocaust becoming mandatory learning in B.C., there is a greater need for strong tools and training so that teachers can successfully bring the material to students. Investment is needed in the development of a curriculum, lesson plans, resources, and appropriate support for educators. The Holocaust and Antisemitism Educators Association (HAEA) was established to tackle these challenges. The goal of this workshop is to share some available materials curated by the HAEA to help in teaching the Holocaust and antisemitism now. We will also solicit feedback from K-12 teachers about the various teaching needs and challenges of these complex topics.

Presenters

Eyal Daniel President, HAEA and Mark Figuiera Executive Member, HAEA

Approaches to Teaching the Holocaust

Speaker Series Talk

October 25 | 10:30 AM - 12:00 PM

In-Person | Online | Speaker Series | Elementary School Teachers | Middle School Teachers | Secondary School Teachers

About the Session

The new mandate to teach about the Holocaust to all grade 10 students is daunting. This workshop will present a number of possible approaches to meeting this mandate and speak to the opportunities and hazards of teaching about this complex subject.

Presenters

Kit Krieger

Speaker, BC Ministry of Education

Teaching the Holocaust with Canadian Short Films

October 25 | 1:00 PM - 2:30 PM

Online | Middle School Teachers | Secondary School Teachers

About the Session

Interested in integrating film into your Holocaust history unit? Unsure where to start or which films are appropriate? Join the Vancouver Holocaust Education Centre’s Education team for an engaging session on teaching the Holocaust with Canadian-made short films. Participants will explore the process of selecting and teaching Holocaust films, focusing on two impactful shorts from the National Film Board. "The Basketball Game" examines themes of Holocaust denial through a poignant real-life story, while "Martha" follows the journey of a Canadian survivor and her grandson's journey documenting her remarkable life. Both films are created by local film makers in the lower mainland reflecting their own personal connections to Holocaust history. Whether you teach grade 6 or higher, this session will equip you with practical tools to teach effectively. Attendees will receive two VHEC-curated lesson plans—one for each film—and gain access to resources including best practices for teaching Holocaust history and a vetted list of films suitable for the classroom.

Presenters

Ellie Lawson

Workshop Presenter, Education Coordinator, Vancouver Holocaust Education Centre