New Campus, New Tools Shine Light on Preserving Holocaust Education
Yad Vashem in Jerusalem expands efforts in Holocaust education and antisemitism research, highlighting the enduring relevance of remembrance through new programs and technological advancements
As antisemitism surges globally, the shadows of Holocaust distortion and denial grow darker. Yet, in Jerusalem, the World Holocaust Remembrance Center, Yad Vashem, shines brightly, dedicated to preserving Holocaust memory and combating antisemitism through powerful educational events, development, and discoveries.
Yad Vashem has rapidly expanded, organizing impactful conferences and opening new campuses. Their tireless efforts in research and artifact restoration bring the stories of the Holocaust to life, ensuring the past remains vivid and poignant.
Formerly the Consul General of Israel in New York, Chairman of Yad Vashem Dani Dayan told The Media Line that he left the position in 2020 to join the mission of uniting the Jewish people.
In some senses, politics and religion divide the Jewish people, while Holocaust remembrance unites us.
“I returned from my position in New York very passionate about the relationship between Israel and the diaspora. In some senses, Yad Vashem is a continuation of that. In some senses, politics and religion divide the Jewish people, while Holocaust remembrance unites us,” he shared.
“Our task will never be completed because every one of the six million Jews that were murdered in the Holocaust deserves that we strive to know about them, to give them back their personality,” Dayan added.
The conferences at Yad Vashem unite educators from across the globe, offering a valuable platform to exchange knowledge and experiences in Holocaust education and the fight against antisemitism.
In early July, 150 educators worldwide gathered in Jerusalem for the biannual International Conference for Educators centered on “Holocaust Education in a Global Context.” Yad Vashem emphasized the conference’s purpose: to underscore the crucial importance of Holocaust education and remembrance in our post-October 7 world.
Dani Dayan shared with The Media Line that now the International Educational Conference has taken on a new and profound significance because of the urgent need for such gatherings to address and combat the rampant rise in antisemitism worldwide.
“The fact that educators from 40 different countries came to Jerusalem these days to learn about Holocaust remembrance, education, and antisemitism is an important contribution that we make these days in particular,” he said.
One of the conference attendees, Benjamin Bain, a high school teacher in the Toronto District School Board—the largest in Canada with nearly 1,800 students—shared with The Media Line that the school has a very small Jewish population.
We are somewhat feeling othered and marginalized. I don’t fear for my own safety at all, but I do feel a great sense that, as a Jewish teacher, I have to be very aware of anything I say because I don’t want to come across as trying to indoctrinate students or be accused of doing that.
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“We are somewhat feeling othered and marginalized. I don’t fear for my own safety at all, but I do feel a great sense that, as a Jewish teacher, I have to be very aware of anything I say because I don’t want to come across as trying to indoctrinate students or be accused of doing that,” he explained.
Another educator attending the conference is Marc de Zwaan, a teacher from Metro Detroit, Michigan. He expressed his concern that while his students—juniors and seniors in the American education system—are highly critical and analytical when studying topics like the causes of World War II or Stalin, they often abandon these critical thinking skills when discussing the Arab-Israeli conflict, resorting instead to irrational comments and soundbites.
“I feel that sometimes they are too quick to judge the state of Israel, but it’s also beautiful to see that they are open to conversation and further research,” he said.
Yad Vashem has also emerged as a vital platform for scientists and professors dedicated to studying antisemitism and neo-Nazism as they strive to discover solutions to these pervasive social ills.
Prof. Christer Mattsson, who has been studying the neo-Nazi movement for many years, shared his insights.
“Today, the threat of antisemitism comes from different discourses. Today, we see a perfect antisemitic storm. It is not, of course, the worst antisemitism happening in the history of mankind. Still, it’s fueled from different traditional antisemitic discourses: former Eastern European communist antisemitism, where the term Jews were exchanged with Zionists and the traditional Christian anti-Judaism,” he told The Media Line.
Prof. Mattsson also noted that the antisemitism seen in current protests is often not conscious. “When people say they are against Zionism, they may not realize they are referring to Jews,” he explained.
In Yad Vashem, educators have the chance to share effective tools and strategies for combating antisemitic biases and teaching younger generations about the Holocaust.
According to Ben Bain, it is becoming increasingly evident that Holocaust education alone does not suffice to stop antisemitism. He emphasizes the need for a deeper understanding of what it means to be Jewish and an appreciation of Jewish culture, highlighting that it is not a single monolithic experience.
I think it’s important for people to understand more of what that means than just learning about the Holocaust because that on its own clearly has not solved the issue.
“I think it’s important for people to understand more of what that means than just learning about the Holocaust because that on its own clearly has not solved the issue,” he said.
Zwaan added that the most important aspect is connecting with the students. “On one hand, yes, it is something that happened 80 years ago, but is it relevant for the students in my classroom? Absolutely. As an educator, I strive to make it personal,” he said.
“We require both a different pedagogy for this work and substantial educational investment in these areas. Strong research evidence indicates that without these efforts, right-wing extremist and antisemitic strongholds will persist,” emphasized Prof. Mattsson.
In the era of new technologies, Yad Vashem leverages these advancements to educate people about the Holocaust.
Dr. Yael Ritchler, Head of Hebrew Curriculum Development in the International School for Holocaust Studies’ Teacher Training Department, told The Media Line that Yad Vashem is exploring AI technology alongside its ethical implications and applications.
“This is very important for us to consider,” she said. “We are using AI in the archives for new research methods, innovative search techniques, and even to uncover new names of victims from existing documents and testimonies. This technology provides us with a significant opportunity to identify victims whose identities were previously unknown, allowing us to honor their memory properly.”
“We are also using some techniques to make the historical data more accessible for our students. Through AI, we are now creating new interactive educational spaces, such as photos, in a more accurate, interactive way. It’s essential for us to take the authentic documents and, with the help of technology, make it accessible to our students, but not to lose the authenticity,” Dr. Yael Ritchler added.
Yad Vashem has rapidly and extensively developed, not only organizing educational conferences but also opening new campuses and advancing the research and restoration of artifacts that remind us of the greatest tragedy faced by the Jewish people.
The new Moshal Legacy Campus was designed to enhance Holocaust education and research. It features advanced classrooms, a modern research center, and interactive exhibits aimed at preserving and teaching the history of the Holocaust.
“The Moshal Shoah Legacy Campus will feature the Chappell Collection Center at its heart, along with a new auditorium and two expanded exhibition spaces, effectively doubling our capacity to showcase exhibitions to the public,” Dr. Haim Gertner, Director of the Resource and Partnership Development Division at Yad Vashem, told The Media Line. “This allows us to both preserve our collections and share this knowledge with the public.”
He highlighted the main technical achievements: “We’ve consolidated everything into one place, which includes five specialized laboratories for different types of materials. We have a laboratory for textiles, one for paper, one for art, and another for artifacts,” Dr. Gertner explained.
“We couldn’t have built this without the help of friends and supporters of Yad Vashem worldwide. At the forefront are two very devoted families: the Moshal family from Australia, who donated very generously to the entire campus, and the Chappelle family from the US and Israel, who supported us significantly in establishing the collection center at its core,” Dr. Gertner added.
Yad Vashem stands as a vital beacon of Holocaust remembrance and education amid rising global antisemitism. The center fosters a deep understanding of Jewish history and culture through impactful conferences, innovative research, and the preservation of poignant artifacts. As the museum expands with new facilities like the Moshal Legacy Campus, its mission to honor the victims and combat intolerance ensures that the lessons of the Holocaust endure for future generations.
