The Children of the Holocaust

A Diary of a Young Girl, by Anne Frank resonates with many as a heroic tale of a young girl growing up, who never knew that millions of people would one day read and study her most intimate thoughts. She states in her novel, A Diary of a Young Girl, "I don't intend to show this cardboard-covered notebook, bearing the proud name of "diary" to anyone, unless I find a real friend, boy or girl, probably nobody cares." The funny part is we do care, Anne. We care so much for you and all the other young lives that were taken tragically during the Holocaust. In some ways, it seems so long ago, but it happened less than eighty years ago, just a few of generations ago, but still within reach. 

In honor of Anne's tragic loss of life along with over 1.5 million other children, my students are researching one special child, outside of the Frank family, who also lost his life. The purpose is to understand the full scope of this tragedy, the frailty of human life, and a deeper understanding of why the novel is a precious gift to us all. 

My students and I will write and research in order to remember, in order to understand, and also to ensure that we treat each other with dignity, kindness, and empathy. We were all brought into this world with a purpose, and it is up to us to ensure that we can live out that purpose without fear of prejudice, hate, or worry. 

I look forward to reading all of my students' work, as we remember the children of the Holocaust.