Wednesday, July 24, 8:30 am – 3 pm Salem Middle School
2380 Lynnhaven Pkwy., Virginia Beach
Thursday, July 25, 7:30 am – 5 pm Virginia Holocaust Museum, Richmond
Transportation provided • Registration Open
As antisemitism rises globally, educators become increasingly crucial to addressing and combating hatred in classrooms. The 16th Biennial Educators’ Conference, hosted by United Jewish Federation of Tidewater’s Holocaust Commission and Jewish Community Relations Council, aims to help educators apply lessons of the Holocaust to modern issues. This year, with the theme of “Who Should Tell Our Story,” the conference will empower teachers with the knowledge and tools to tackle the challenges of rising antisemitism.
In partnership with Virginia Beach Public Schools and Virginia Center for Inclusive Communities, the two-day event offers an opportunity for professional development and includes a visit to the Virginia Holocaust Museum in Richmond. Through expert panels and interactive workshops, participants will delve into the deep roots of antisemitism, bigotry, and prejudice, and gain effective strategies for combating these issues.
Wednesday’s sessions include the panel discussion, “Who Should Tell Our Story,” an interactive presentation on identifying disinformation, as well as breakout sessions on fostering cultural competency to create empathetic classroom environments. On Thursday, attendees will have a docent-led tour of the newly renovated Virginia Holocaust Museum, an exploration of the museum’s hologram program, and a review of the “Stars Among Us” lesson plans.
The conference underscores the significance of Holocaust education today, highlighting its role in preventing prejudice. By engaging with historical truths and confronting harsh realities, educators can inspire students to become upstanders in their communities. This transformative event honors the past while it confronts present-day antisemitism.
The registration fee of $90 includes all materials, meals, transportation, and 15 Continuing Education hours. Scholarships are also available. Pre-service teachers can access a discount code by contacting Elka Mednick at emednick@ujft.org.
For more information or to register, visit JewishVA.org/Edu-Conf or contact Elka Mednick at emednick@ujft.org.