The Jewish Foundation for the Righteous (JFR) selected 22 middle- and high school teachers from 10 states as 2022 Alfred Lerner Fellows to delve into the complex history of the Holocaust, as well as discuss new teaching techniques for introducing the subject of the Holocaust into their classrooms.
The JFR’s Summer Institute for Teachers, an intensive five-day course, took place at the Hilton Newark Airport from June 25 through June 29.
The program is a high-level academic seminar in which participants are exposed to noted Holocaust scholars around the country. It is designed to allow participants to meet in small groups following each lecture, address the specific aspect of the Holocaust that is presented, share teaching concepts and develop approaches to introducing the subject matter to their students.
Teachers selected for the program must be English or social-studies teachers at the middle- or high school level; have taught for at least five years; are at least five years from retirement; and currently teach the Holocaust in their classroom.
“There are three main goals of the JFR’s Summer Institute, which include providing teachers with a graduate-level course on the Holocaust; pedagogical connections with other teachers and their curriculum so they learn what’s worked and what hasn’t; and to give them resources for the classroom,” said JFR executive vice president Stanlee Stahl.
The nationally acclaimed Fellowship program is named in memory of Alfred Lerner, the founding chairman and chief executive officer of MBNA Corporation, who died in October of 2002. Lerner was a longtime adviser and supporter of JFR programs and activities. His deep commitment to the work of JFR and, in particular, to his special interest in the field of Holocaust education led to the seminar being endowed in his name.
Click here for more information on the 2022 Alfred Lerner Fellows.
