Berlin Summer Program Diversity and Tolerance in Berlin

20160629_121746

An important part of the program: meetings with eyewitnesses like Beate Niemann (2nd from left), author of “Mein guter Vater. Eine Täterbiographie” and “Ich lasse das Vergessen nicht zu”.

Unfortunately, due to Corona, this very successful program could not be held in 2020 to 2022. It is scheduled to take place again in 2023.

A summer program in Berlin, Germany, for Los Angeles (area) school teachers in cooperation with the Museum of Tolerance, Los Angeles.
This ten-days study tour in June/July of each year is designed for Los Angeles (area) school teachers and other multipliers in the field of education to gain insight into many of the historical, social, religious, political, and economic factors that cumulatively resulted in the Holocaust.

It includes educational visits to historic sites in and around Berlin that played an important role in the history of the Holocaust and the Third Reich with the participation of eyewitnesses and survivors, as well as representatives of the Berlin city government and distinguished members of the Berlin-Jewish community.

The application deadline is in late March. Interested teachers should apply as soon as possible. Applications are accepted starting in January of every year and are available at the Museum of Tolerance website here.

Gate of Sachsenhausen Concentration Camp - "Arbeit macht frei"

Gate of Sachsenhausen Concentration Camp

Participants must organize and pay for their own air transportation to and from Berlin. The program is free of charge for Los Angeles area teachers and other multipliers and includes transportation to historic sites, hotel accommodations (single occupancy) and three meals daily.

Program Goals:

  • To advance knowledge and education in area schools about the Holocaust and present-day Jewish life in Germany;
  • To deepen educators’ personal knowledge and strengthen their ability to discuss the Holocaust in their classrooms;
    0000-00-00 00.00.00-245

    L.A. teachers speak with Inge Deutschkron, German-Israeli journalist and author (2nd from right)

  • To provide insight into the many cultural, social, political, and economic factors that cumulatively resulted in the Holocaust;
  • To reflect on the use and abuse of power and the roles and responsibilities of individuals, organizations, and nations when confronted with injustice;
  • To create an understanding of the roots and ramifications of prejudice, racism, and stereotypes while promoting acceptance of diversity in a pluralistic society;
  • To help provide insight into how contemporary societies attempt to come to terms with serious crimes against humanity;
  • To promote mutual understanding and contact between Berlin and its American sister city Los Angeles.

For more information, please see our brochure: Summer Program 2020 and visit the Museum of Tolerance Website.

Participant  feedback:

”I truly loved this program! I have been so inspired and reflective throughout the entire week. This has not only shaped the way I will teach, but it has also changed me as a person.”

 (Michelle K., 2019) 

“The visit to the former SA prison and talk with Mrs. Niemann about her research on her father was incredibly powerful. The perspective from someone who was deceived her whole life is something special, and her personality and her willingness to share left a lasting impact with me.“

(Grant K., 2015)