
Before the II World War, Jews constituted over 10% of Poland's population. This community
was very diverse with
regard to the degree of assimilation, education as well as religiosity. It is crucial for youth to learn the history of the Jewish nation, which has
been an inseparable part of the Polish culture and history. It is even more
important for an open and increasingly multicultural society where nevertheless
prejudices and false stereotypes still occur. The program
comprises of four meetings with Forum' s
educators. First and foremost, they aim at acknowledging students with the
Jewish past of the place they live and in result lead them to designing a tour
of its Jewish sights with the support of Forum's educators. The first and the second meeting are to familiarize
the participants with the theme of the program, present the most important
terms and issues devoted to Jewish culture and tradition as well as make the
students realize that before the war, Jews were an inseparable part of their
community. In the course of the workshop, Forum's educators show the students
the methodology of conducting a project and together work out a plan of action
that the students are to implement under the supervision of the teacher in
between the meetings. During the 2- 3
weeks period between the second and third meeting, Forum's educators stay in
touch with the students and their teacher, stimulating and supporting their
work on the project. During the next meeting students present
the prepared tour. They are to show round Forum's educators in accordance with
the designed route, discussing the meaning and functions of the Jewish
cemetery, synagogue and other important places in the daily life of the pre-war
Jewish community. In the course of the tour, Forum's educators supplement
students' knowledge , suggesting at the same time places that could be added to
the route. The workshop is summed up by a common reflection upon the blank
spots of knowledge about their own town and the identity of its inhabitants. The last, fourth meeting is meant to sum up
the gained knowledge and experiences. Thanks to the interactive forms of
workshops, students have the opportunity to work out their future fields of
action related to the history and culture of Polish Jews. The second part of
the workshop enables students to get more familiar with the diversity of the
present Jewish life in Israel and Diaspora. The activities performed are to
link the knowledge gained during the tour with the present time so as to show
the continuity of the Jewish life that existed once in their town.
The main aim and task for the students after the
series of meetings is over, is to conduct the prepared tour for a self-chosen
group (e.g. friends, parents, teachers or other interested people). Forum's
educators supervise the preparations and give students their support though no
longer in a form of a workshop. At the end, students are asked to send a
report from their project which then takes part in a competition organized by
the Forum.
The
winning group of students has the chance to present their project during a
festive gala that concludes the program- a gathering of all the laureates
and representatives of participating schools during which the titles of "The
School of Dialogue" are awarded.
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