“Teaching and learning about the Holocaust is an essential opportunity to inspire critical thinking, societal awareness, and personal growth. Yet this massive topic can also pose challenges to educators due to its traumatic nature, broad expanse, and intersection with challenging human dynamics including racism and antisemitism.”
2024, January: “#WeRemember: Learn from the Past to Protect the Future, January 27th, International Holocaust Remembrance Day”, prepared by Mina Cohn, Chair of CHES.
In 2005, The United Nations General Assembly designated January 27, the day Allied troops arrived at the gates of Auschwitz-Birkenau, as International Holocaust Remembrance Day (IHRD). The lesson plan is suitable for intermediate and high school students and helps them understand through a simple activity the meaning of this day. A day to honour the memory of the victims of the Holocaust, and the genocide of European Jews by Nazi Germany between 1941 and 1945.
2024, January: “January 17th: Raoul Wallenberg Day”, by Melany Chaiquin and Jaden Lairson, Woodroffe High School
Raoul Wallenberg was a Swedish diplomat who risked his life to save 100,000 Hungarian Jews during WWII. Following the war’s end many of the survivors he saved moved to Canada, where they began a new life. The Raoul Wallenberg Day lesson plan demonstrates that even in the darkest of times, light can be found in those who seek to do good. Wallenberg was arrested on January 17th, 1945 never to be seen again. In 2001, the Government of Canada designated January 17th, the date of his disappearance, as Raoul Wallenberg Day. While Wallenberg’s fate remains unknown, his actions are an inspiration to our efforts to combat racism, discrimination, and all forms of hate.
Get the lesson plan – January 17th: Raoul Wallenberg Day (pdf)
2024, January: “The Holocaust, Grade 10 World History”, by Jaden Lairson, Woodroffe High School
The history of the Holocaust is studied in the context of European and global history. Learning about the Holocaust sensitizes young people to modern-day examples of prejudice and injustice. To teach this subject in a successful, sensitive, and meaningful manner it is important to know your students’ needs. This excellent lesson plan was developed and taught by Jaden Lairson, a recipient of the Arie van Mansum Award at Woodroffe High School.
Get the lesson plan – The Holocaust, Grade 10 World History (pdf)
2023, May: Holocaust Reflection – Grade 10 Canadian History by Alyssa Novick, Ashbury College
At Ashbury College students spend 3 weeks (approximately 8 classes of 80 minutes) on the Holocaust unit as part of the Grade 10 Canadian History course. To put the unit into proper historical context we begin with the rise of Hitler and the situation in Germany post World War I. We then move on to cover the main issues such as moving from anti-Semitism as part of Nazi policy to legislation to violence to ghettos and finally to murder by bullets and gas; students also study resistance, rescue, and liberation.
Get the Lesson Plan – Holocaust Reflection by Alyssa Novick (PDF)
Example Gr 10 student assignment by Justin Mo, of Ashbury College (PDF)
2023, April: A Webinar, “It’s Never Okay! Addressing Symbols that are Linked to Hatred and Discrimination” with Kenra Mroz
The original lesson from May 2022 was designed for grade 10 students. It was adjusted to suit grades 7-9 and the subsequent webinar was presented as CHES’ contribution to the Liberation 75’s Student Education Day (April 18, 2023).
Canada, along with the rest of the world, is facing the growth of extremist hate groups, antisemitism, and racism, combined with misinformation and false news on social media. The result is an increasingly significant and negative impact on our younger students who often use Nazi symbols in and outside the school setting without comprehending what such symbols represent.
Due to lack of knowledge or relevant education, these symbols are often misappropriated on social media. To help educators ensure that young people are learning the correct message regarding incidents of hate, antisemitism, and discrimination, CHES created a special lesson plan which we are happy to share with you. “It’s Never Okay”, was developed by educator Kenra Mroz and is meant to educate students about the meaning of Nazi symbols that are linked to hatred, antisemitism and discrimination.
2022, September, “For the Child – Exhibit” The Story of the Kindertransport
The For the Child exhibit provides a powerful current and relevant connection to today’s students by exploring the impact of what it means to be a refugee, an experience shared by some of our students.
This comprehensive and meaningful exhibit provides powerful and relevant connections to ongoing issues which today’s students will undoubtedly recognize, including the lived experience and impact of being a refugee, and the consequences of antisemitism, and discrimination.
May 2022 “It’s Never Okay”, Lesson Plan by Kenra Mroz
Canada, along with the rest of the world, is facing the growth of extremist hate groups, antisemitism, and racism, combined with misinformation and false news on social media. The result is an increasingly significant and negative impact on our younger students who often use Nazi symbols in and outside the school setting without comprehending what such symbols represent.
Due to lack of knowledge or relevant education, these symbols are often misappropriated on social media. To help educators ensure that young people are learning the correct message regarding incidents of hate, antisemitism, and discrimination, CHES created a special lesson plan which we are happy to share with you. “It’s Never Okay”, was developed by educator Kenra Mroz and is meant to educate students about the meaning of Nazi symbols that are linked to hatred, antisemitism and discrimination.
2021, November, “Testimonies of the Holocaust, Inspiring Change Through Legacy: In-depth Exploration of the Voices of Holocaust Survivors”, with Sophia Mirzayee and Kenra Mroz.
“Testimonies of the Holocaust, Inspiring Change Through Legacy: In-depth Exploration of the Voices of Holocaust Survivors” lesson plan focuses specifically on the stories and experiences of the Holocaust survivors who made Ottawa their home. It stimulates educators and students to learn about, reflect upon, and discuss why and how Holocaust history and legacy continue to form an integral part of understanding a variety of social justice and human rights issues today.
LESSON 1 – 3: A History of AntiSemitism in Images, The Voices of Holocaust Survivors, Building a Better Future.
The workshop is based on the testimonies of Ottawa-area Holocaust survivors recorded by CHES in 2016.
2019, November 14, “Antisemitism Through the Ages: Making Connections”, with Kenra Mroz
Lesson plan developed along with the teachers’ workshop “Antisemitism Then and Now”
A series of three standalone lessons that can work as an individual exercise/activity or as a sequence. They examine Jewish responses to antisemitic incidents from three different time periods.
Introduction Page
Part One: Historical Background Details
“Basic Time Line Ancient World”
“Christian Attitudes and Legislation Concerning Jews”
Part Two: Lesson Plans
Lesson One: Text — “A Jewish Lament” (poem)
Discussion Questions for “A Jewish Lament”
Lesson Two: Text – “Terezin” (poem)
Discussion Questions for “Terezin”
Lesson Three: Text – “Toronto Public School Responds to Anti-Semitic Incident” (article)
Discussion Questions for “Toronto Public School . . .”
Part Three: Text Source Credits
2018, November “Exploring the Complexities of Kristallnacht in Your Classroom”, with Facing History’s Leora Schaefer
2018 Holocaust Education Month (HEM) teachers workshop was “The 80th Anniversary of Kristallnacht: What Shards Remain?”. It explored the complexities of Kristallnacht in the classroom and was facilitated by Leora Schaefer, director of the Canadian program of Facing History and Ourselves.
Reading 1: The Night of the Pogrom
Reading 2: A Family Responds to Kristallnacht
Reading 3: Thoroughly Reprehensible Behavior
Reading 4: A Visitor’s Perspective on Kristallnacht
Reading 5: World Responses to Kristallnacht
Reading 6: Opportunism during Kristallnach