Holocaust Art and Writing Contest Winner

As a student at Sullivan High School, Natalee Hunter was recognized as an international finalist in the 23rd and 24th annual Holocaust Art and Writing Contests sponored by Chapman University in California and the 1939 Society (a group of Holocaust survivors, their descendents, and friends). In 2022, Natalee created a three minute film, Brushstrokes of Resiliance, with music and narration that focused on the testimony of Sally Roisman and connected it to lessons about courage, hope, and resilience. Natalee reflected on what she learned from Sally’s testimony and how it relates to her life.

The Terezin Project

My name is Tamra Gingold, and I am the Orchestra Director at Urbana High School.  I have always been an advocate for exposing my students to a broad range of culture by using music.  I decided to do a unit on the Holocaust, focusing on the music, artwork, and poetry of Terezin, knowing that I would only be able to touch the surface as there was so much information and several of my students knew absolutely nothing about it except that it happened.   In addition to researching the music, artwork, poetry, and prisoners of Terezin, students got the opportunity to hear from survivors of the Holocaust, including my dad, Dr. William Gingold.  They learned how to play several melodies from songs composed in Terezin as well as songs written in remembrance of the 12 million+ souls whose lives were ended because of hate, ignorance, and fear. 

Through Their Eyes: A Student Exhibit on the Holocaust

In commemoration of Yom Hashoah, Holocaust Remembrance Day

Jewish Federation’s Holocaust Education Center sponsors an annual student exhibit featuring original works on the study of the Holocaust created by local students from Champaign and Ford Counties. Featured video presents students work.

Short Film Inspired by Story of Holocaust survivor

In 2018, Max Libman wrote his original screen play, “Ein Stern” (a star). It was inspired by the life of his great-grandmother, Ann Gershuny, growing up in Poland prior to German occupation. It debuted at CU Film Society’s Pens to Lens gala in 2018. It was filmed in German with English subtitles.

Max also made an additional film, Ann's Story, a documentary that he wrote and produced based on the experiences of his great-grandmother and her family. It contains an interview of her, allowing viewers to hear her voice.