VTHS students study Holocaust

VERNON — Students from Vernon Township High School's Literature of the Holocaust and Issues of Conscience classes were invited to attend The Institute for Holocaust and Genocide Studies: High School Learning Through Experience at Raritan Valley Community College. The theme of the day was “Whoever saves a life saves the world.”
Keynote presentations included Daniel Trust, a survivor of the Rwandan genocide. After witnessing the murder of his parents, he fled to America and now runs a non-profit that helps disadvantaged students achieve their goals. He spoke about the power of kindness and the infinite possibilities of our students.
Margit Feldman a Holocaust survivor, was not expected to be there, but Thom LoGiudice, who teaches the Literature of the Holocaust class, said it was so important for the students to hear a first person testimony of the horrors of the Holocausts. She spoke mainly about how she rebuilt her life after the genocide and built an identity for herself outside of the number on her arm. “The kids were particularly moved by her,” said LoGiudice, “especially as she told stories about her mother's role in getting her through the ghettos.”
Carl Wilkens, a Humanitarian Aid Worker during the Rwandan Genocide, spoke via video with perpetrators from Rwanda (twenty years after the fact) The video addressed his decision to stay in Rwanda during the genocide while his family fled. He emphasized the power of being thankful, kindness, and starting with small steps to prevent genocide.