Talmud Torah Minneapolis announced today that it is seeking Holocaust survivors for their successful Adopt a Survivor program.
The program, now in its fourth year, allows a Holocaust survivor to share his/her life experiences and personal journey with a teen "adopter." The idea is that based on the time spent together, the teen will "adopt" the survivor's story and tell it to others. All teen participants in the program make a pledge to share their story at the 100th Commemoration of the Liberation of the Camps at the Holocaust Memorial in 2045, thus ensuring that it will be passed on to future generations. The students visit their partners at least once a month after school, as well as attend a Talmud Torah class that provides them with historical context about the Holocaust and the impact it had (and still has) on people's lives. At the end of the program, students create a special presentation and will have developed a personal relationship that will last for the rest of their lives.
"The bonds that are formed through these relationships are truly remarkable," said Susie Chalom, Executive Director of Talmud Torah. "Our students learn so much about the Holocaust from those who have experienced it first hand, while forming life long bonds with their partner. It is an experience that is not easily forgotten, or one that will be available much longer."
For the purposes of the program, Talmud Torah is interested in persons of Jewish descent who survived Nazi Germany, or a Nazi-occupied country between 1933-1945. You need not have been in a camp or ghetto to participate. Survivors must be able to commit to a once-a-month visit with their "adopter" between late October through March of 2012-2013. If you are interested please contact Sylvia Fine at sylfine@gmail.com or 612-922-9206.
