Students Reflect on Holocaust History

Dexter students reflect on Holocaust history at annual field trip to The Zekelman Holocaust Center

For the past three years, every Dexter High School freshman and several additional classes have traveled to Farmington Hills to explore The Zekelman Holocaust Center (“The HC”). Supported by the Educational Foundation of Dexter and the Mark Schonwetter Holocaust Education Foundation, this field trip fulfills three of the six hours of Holocaust education required by the Michigan Department of Education before graduation. In addition to all 9th graders, students in DHS teacher Erin Palmer’s U.S. History class and Mill Creek teacher Cheryl Darnton’s Holocaust History class also had the opportunity to visit the center this past December.

The HC was founded in 1984 on the campus of the Jewish Community Center in West Bloomfield, later relocating to the current award-winning Farmington Hills building in 2004. The HC houses several core Holocaust museum exhibits, as well as a research library, archives, and special exhibit galleries. In addition to exploring these features, DCS students attended a presentation by Dina Kawar and Arthur Horowitz about their father’s experiences during the Holocaust.

DCS students receive an “extremely valuable learning experience” at The HC, says DHS teacher Jaime Dudash.  “This year’s presentation by Ms. Kawer and Mr. Horowitz on behalf of their family’s experience was tremendously impactful,” he says. “Their amazing personal testimonies compliment the way the museum collection breathes life into this history for our learners.”

The HC is considered one of the top regional holocaust centers in the country; it is older than the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum in Washington, D.C. which 8th grade students often visit during their class trip to the U.S. Capitol.

After the field trip, students were asked to reflect on their experience:

The most interesting thing I learned today was…because…

“How much [the Holocaust] affects the families,” because “I never thought about the next generation when discussing the Holocaust.”

“How many laws against Jewish people there were before Hitler rose to power,” because “it showed that it wasn’t just Hitler. The prejudice was already there and Jewish people were already being discriminated against.” 

“How the Holocaust affected the rest of the Horiwitzes’ lives, like how much it impacted the rest of Arthur’s life,” because “you don’t always learn about what happens to the people affected later.” 

“It wasn’t only Jews, it was anybody different,” because “Hitler only wanted one race and made other people die as well; but Jews had it the worst.” 

"There were 44,000 concentration camps in Europe,” because “it was a way higher number than I expected and it shows how widespread the anti-Semitism was.” 

“What they did with people who have a disability,” because “I have autism.” 

The most important thing I learned from this experience that I can apply to my own life moving forward is…

“To not judge others based on things they can’t control.”

“To always act against injustices if possible.

“That genocide starts with simple hate speech.”

“Use your voice and fight for what’s right. Cherish every moment and always be grateful for your life.”

“That discrimination and racism is never acceptable and people should include one another.”

“You should always think of how your actions and choices affect others.”

“To be grateful for what I have.”