2011 Theme: Holocaust Literature—Witness of the Past and Challenge for Today
The Texas Coalition for Holocaust Education sponsors an annual statewide art, writing, and video contest on a different theme each year. Students are encouraged to do research and to express themselves creatively about the lessons of the Holocaust and about how genocide is still a threat in our world today. The theme for the 2011 contest is: “Holocaust Literature—Witness of the Past and Challenge for Today.” Many literary works have been created to humanize the history of the Holocaust and to deepen society’s understanding of this event. These creations have included primary and secondary source writings, allowing people to consider the multitude of experiences during the Holocaust. Diaries, memoires, poetry, fiction and non-fiction works have all been created to develop understandings of the Holocaust. These works allow readers to consider the voices and perspectives of victims, bystanders, up standers and perpetrators. Readers come to see the Holocaust as more than a series of statistics; instead, people will be able to translate this collective experience into individual voices.
Contest rules may be found on the Web sites of the museum that is judging that part of the contest. Entries not following the rules stated on the Web sites of each museum and/or not submitted by the appropriate deadline will be eliminated from the contest. All art, writing and video entries must be received by the appropriate museum by Thursday, April 7, 2011. Entries become the property of the Texas Coalition for Holocaust Education and may be reproduced or used for educational purposes at the discretion of its members.
Art Contest Rules
The Dallas Holocaust Museum/Center for Education and Tolerance will judge the art portion of the contest.
Rules for Art Entries in the Yom Hashoah Statewide Art, Writing & Video Contest for 2011:
All art entries must be received by the April 7 deadline by the Dallas Holocaust Museum/Center for Education and Tolerance.
Mail or deliver entries to:
Dallas Holocaust Museum/Center for Education and Tolerance
c/o Education Department
211 North Record Street, Suite 100
Dallas, TX 75202-3361
*This is not a Postmark deadline as the art entries must be in our hands by this date, so please allow time for delivery.
Video Contest Rules
Holocaust Museum Houston will judge the video portion of the contest. Please visit http://www.hmh.org for rules and entry
requirements.
Writing Contest Rules
The El Paso Holocaust Museum & Study Center will judge the writing portion of the contest. Please visit
http://www.elpasoholocaustmuseum.org for rules and entry requirements.
For further information about the contest, click the link below:
Yom Hashoah Statewide Art, Writing, & Video Contest
Some Guest Lectures may be appropriate to students. Lecturers speak on a variety of topics related to the study of the Holocaust, the promotion of tolerance and learning more about genocides. Lectures are listed on the event calendar online as well as publicized in the local media. Questions can be directed to .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
A “Covenant of Remembrance” is a special addition to a Bar- or Bat-Mitzvah that connects this joyous occasion to an important event in our past and offers a rich learning experience to the one embarking on this rite of passage into full membership in the Jewish People. It also remembers and honors a child who died during the Holocaust. The Bar- or Bat-Mitzvah candidate learns about one of the 1.5 million Jewish children who were murdered during the Holocaust. To empathize with a person near their same age can be a meaningful educational experience.
Participating in this program can involve meeting and talking directly with a local Holocaust Survivor or reading and researching texts about someone who has perished.
Steps Towards a Covenant of Remembrance:
1. Call the Dallas Holocaust Museum at 214-741-7500, ext. 104 to set up an appointment for the child and at least one parent to meet with the Director of Education, Kathy Chapman.
2. Once informed, seek approval from your Rabbi and synagogue.
3. Meet with a Holocaust Survivor (either one whom you know or the museum can arrange a meeting) and interview them about one of their relatives or close friends who died in the Holocaust. Or alternatively, we can direct you to readings.
4. Plan the service in cooperation with the appropriate synagogue personnel. Include a mention in your speech about the Covenant of Remembrance program and the tragic fate of this child Holocaust victim. Add readings or prayers as may be desired and appropriate.
5. Include some information in printed materials that may be given to your guests.
If you interviewed a Holocaust Survivor, they should be invited to your service. Please ensure that they have transportation and consider seating them in a special place of honor.
After the Bar or Bat-Mitzvah is over, please provide the DHM/CET with copies of any printed materials and, if possible, photographs of the celebrant with the Survivor.
While the DHM/CET offers its services free of charge, it would be a mitzvah to make a donation to the museum in appreciation for its help. B’nai Mitzvah often contribute part of their monetary gifts to charities and direct their guests to make charitable donations also.
A successful collaboration between eight Dallas history museums and the Girl Scouts of Northeast Texas has resulted in the “History Museums Explorers Patch” that will make its debut in August. The patch, designed in the shape of a flag pole, is unique to Dallas and underscores (as does the previous story) how our move from the basement of the JCC to the heart of downtown Dallas has changed the way that we are perceived and the way that we interact with the community. The History Museums Explorers Patch is a progressive patch designed to help girls discover about history museums and their influences and impacts on society. It adheres to the Girl Scout’s national organizations values. Participants earn the patch by visiting each museum, answering questions, and fulfilling other educational tasks. Flags of each Museum can be added until they reach all eight. Click here for the Museum/Center Girl Scout Patch Requirements.
