Targeting the Other: Holocaust and Human Behavior for NYCPS Educators

The Nazis used racist ideology, othering, and antisemitism to divide Germans and dismantle democracy.  As part of their strategy to dismantle the Weimar Republic during the 1930s, the Nazis used racist ideology, othering, and antisemitism to divide Germans and recruit followers. What dangers do these ideas still pose in democracies today?

In today's world, questions of how best to build and maintain democratic societies that are pluralistic, open, and resilient to violence are more relevant than ever. The "convenient hatreds” of antisemitism, racism, and othering continue to divide us and weaken democratic norms. Studying how German citizens during the Weimar Republic, and the years after, turned away from democracy and embraced antisemitism, fascism, and genocide allows students to wrestle with profound moral questions. This exploration also fosters their skills in ethical reasoning, critical thinking, empathy, and civic engagement—all of which are critical for sustaining democracy. 

We will introduce teachers to the resources and teaching strategies in Facing History’s key resource Holocaust and Human Behavior and our contemporary antisemitism collection. This in-person workshop continues our collaboration with the New York City Public Schools' "Meeting the Moment" initiative -a collaboration focused on helping educators nurture crucial conversations on democracy, civil rights,and human rights in classrooms and school communities.

This workshop is only for New York City Public Schools middle and high school faculty.

The registration fee for this event has been waived thanks to generous funding from Facing History and Ourselves donors and NYCPS.

This event will be hosted in-person at Tweed.
Address: 52 Chambers St, New York, NY 10007