A group of 40 educators from 10 countries across Europe gathered in Bratislava to take part in a special training seminar exploring how Jewish cemeteries can be used as profound places of education.
Photos: Ouriel Morgensztern
The seminar was run by the Foundation for Jewish Heritage, Centropa, Euroclio (the European history teachers association) and ESJF as part of the EU-funded project to preserve and promote the Jewish cemeteries of Eastern Europe.
The seminar programme addressed various aspects of the Jewish heritage of Slovakia with a particular focus on Jewish cemeteries; how to understand them and how they could be used educationally by schools to enable students to engage in the Jewish past of their towns.
Participants took part in a Jewish heritage tour of Bratislava and visited Bratislava’s main cemetery enabling them to experience first-hand what they had been learning in the seminar.
A key aspect was getting participants to work up their own lesson plans in small groups based on the information and resources presented.
The Jewish community of Bratislava were exceptional hosts, and special thanks are due to heritage expert Dr Maros Borsky who played a key role throughout the event.
The feedback received from participants was very positive with the teachers returning to their home communities now equipped – and inspired – to work on developing educational projects for their pupils on the Jewish narrative.
Special thanks are due to the European Union for its support of this pioneering initiative.
The seminar programme is available below.