Four students from Ashbury College – Alex Taylor, Corey Muscant, Ella Rennison, and Talia Cherun – accompanied their teacher, Alyssa Novick, to the 80th Commemoration of the Rescue of Danish Jews. This was an excellent opportunity for the four International Baccalaurate History students to learn more about the Holocaust from Danish and Swedish perspectives and to learn, via a movie and panel discussion about the unique experience of the Danish Jews and how they were saved during the Holocaust.
The panel led a discussion that was powerful, meaningful, and informative. The questions and answers provided historical knowledge and often related it to modern-day events. Some key takeaways from this event included the sharing of compelling stories and the shocking statistics surrounding the lack of Holocaust education in Canada. They also gained insights into the unique history of the Jews of Denmark. Furthermore, it was an opportunity to learn about Holocaust Education and initiatives that are in place to prevent the erasure of historical knowledge.
As the number of Holocaust survivors decreases each year, there are fewer individuals to share personal experiences and impactful stories. All four students felt that it is crucial to continue educating future generations about past events and to learn about those who were courageous enough to help those in dire circumstances. The Ashbury College representatives were honoured to attend such a significant commemoration.
