By Janie Rosman
Review Press
(Original Publication: December 13, 2007)
Reading about the horrors of the Holocaust in a Westchester classroom can only express so much about the atrocities that took place.
Visiting the sites where those horrors occurred is quite different.
Eastchester High School students will experience a dark side of history with social studies department Chair Edye Caine as they visit the Anne Frank School, the sites of former Nazi concentration camps like Westerbork in the Netherlands and Bergen Belsen in Germany and other historic markers from World War II during their February break.
During the past few years the department expanded its human rights curriculum from the Holocaust to genocide historically and in the present day.
"It seems as if there are few, if any, schools in the United States that take such a trip," she said of the European Holocaust Tour offered to grades 10-12.
No sooner was it announced than the 40 spaces were filled with 47 students.
Caine admitted it wasn't easy to find a tour and created an itinerary for several travel agencies before choosing European Contemporary History Tours.
Tour guide Cor Sujik, a Dutch Christian who helped Jews during World War II, is a survivor of imprisonment by the Germans.
"He's fluent in many languages and familiar with the countries," Caine said. "He came to talk to us about the trip and is incredible."
"We hear about it (the camps) and read about it, and now we want to see it," said Delia Hughes, one of several students who met recently to discuss the trip.
Emotions ranged from anticipation to trepidation to a sense of purpose.
"We've learned what happened more than 62 years ago. It's our responsibility to understand it and tell others in the future," said Gabby Filiberti.
"It's not like what you see in a museum," said Claire Schumacher.
A few students had visited the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum in Washington, D.C., and know this will be different.
"It's a once-in-a-lifetime experience to go there and see what happened up close and personal," said Jon Levy. "You're there where it happened, and you feel it in the air. That doesn't come from a book."
The trip also includes fun activities like dining in a floating restaurant, a movie and a concert.
Some students have never been to Europe so their introduction will be via a somber avenue. This is one reason Rebecca Gibson felt relieved she'll be among friends.
"It's really depressing so I'm glad we're all going together," she said as other students nodded.
Kevin Kim said he was moved by what he read and expected to be moved more by what he will see. Kathryn Schaefer nodded.
"There are some things you can't put into words," she said. "You have to see it for yourself."