Fellows in Focus – October 2021
Fellows in Focus
Rosemary Conroy
Where are you from? Where do you teach and what subject do you teach?
My name is Rosemary Conroy and I live in the beautiful Pacific Northwest! I teach “Individuals & Societies” in a Catholic International Baccalaureate school in Shoreline, Washington.
How did you get involved with the JFR?
I first became involved with the JFR in June of 2002 when I participated in a JFR Program for teachers at Columbia University. I was so impressed that I applied to participate in the JFR European Study Program in Germany and Poland the following year. I eventually attended yet another JFR Advanced Seminar in Newark in 2007.
What drew you to the organization and its programming?
I was drawn to the JFR program initially because I had participated in numerous Holocaust/Genocide workshops, seminars, conferences, etc. but I had never truly studied the Shoah through the lens of the rescuers and truly had only a superficial understanding of the complexities. I wanted to know more!
What is your favorite memory from your participation in JFR programming?
My favorite memory involving the JFR was participating in the first Shabbat service at the newly restored synagogue in Oswiecim, Poland. It had been closed since the Second World War. For me, it was a profound emotional moment and felt like life was being restored!
The most compelling thing I learned as an Alfred Learner Fellow was the power of the individual to make a difference in the life of another. These moral exemplars were quite often simple people, many without resources themselves who exhibited tremendous moral courage. Learning about the traits of the Rescuers as delineated by Nechama Tec’s research was a critical take-away for me as these people displayed a capacity for independent thought and action. This understanding is easily transferable to present day conflicts: Sudan, Ethiopia, Rwanda, etc. My student are easily able to make connections involving upstanders.
How do you feel the fellowship has impacted your life, both personally and professionally?
My experiences with JFR gave me the tools to expand my knowledge and understand and enabled me to broaden the spectrum of my curriculum and to be able to challenge my students to look inside themselves and stand upper what they know is right. For this, I am eternally grateful!
Krystal Lamb
Where are you from?
I am originally from New London, CT but moved to Florida when I was very young. I was fortunate to attend Palm Beach County Schools and then Nova Southeastern University for my degree.
Where do you teach and what subject do you teach?
I am in my 15th year at Park Vista High School in Lake Worth, Florida and teach Sociology, Holocaust Studies Honors, and Student Leadership Skills.
How did you get involved with the JFR?
My District is very passionate about Holocaust Studies and I had attended a training hosted by the JFR. At this training I learned about their Alfred Lerner Fellowship Program and applied immediately! InSIGHT in combination with the Palm Beach County School District Holocaust center and Maureen Carter all helped me to apply and fund the experience.
What drew you to the organization and its programming?
I loved the fact that although they are focused on the non-Jews that rescued during the Holocaust, their programming covers many different aspects of the Holocaust. Their integrative approach with written materials, testimonies, and guest speakers really brings learning alive. They had survivors, experts and other educators at the seminar which really drew me to apply. The activities with pedagogy and resources were invaluable as I still use the lessons today!
What was the most compelling thing you learned as an Alfred Lerner Fellow?
Oh man, there are so many things that I have learned through the program, it’s hard to choose the most compelling!! I really think the history of antisemitism was something I learned a lot about and this bleeds throughout history. Understanding how it came to be and how it was used as a force to spread Nazism enables me to teach my students.
What is your favorite memory from your participation in JFR programming?
My favorite memory is being surrounded by educators from around the Country and world while chatting with Dr. Peter Hayes. It was a comfortable and personal talk that relayed so much information and insight into the Holocaust.
How do you feel the fellowship has impacted your life, both personally and professionally?
Personally, the Fellowship has opened my eyes to different perspectives, being open to new ideas and a passion for knowledge. Professionally being a Fellow has given high quality resources to reach my students and experiences that I have brought back to my classroom. The fellowship is not just a seminar, it’s a life changing experience that opens your eyes in and out of the classroom.
Anything else you’d like to share with the JFR’s followers and supporters?
This is such a great organization and the Fellowship is truly a treasurer! I try to attend trainings as often as possible because each time I do, I leave with a new method, a better understanding and a refreshed passion to teach about the Holocaust!
Gene Woods
Where are you from?
I am from Bayonne, NJ.
Where do you teach and what subject do you teach?
I teach at Bayonne High School.
I have taught every subject in our department: U.S. I, U.S. II, World History, Personal Financial Literacy, Facing History and Ourselves, and African American History.
How did you get involved with the JFR?
I became involved with the JFR when I applied for the summer fellows program through Kean University.
What drew you to the organization and its programming?
When I was offered the opportunity to apply for the JFR Alfred Lerner Fellows program I was thrilled because many people talked to me about Stanlee’s commitment to Holocaust education and her passion to support the people who risked their lives to save Jewish people during the Holocaust. The program offered me the opportunity to work with top scholars, Holocaust survivors, and like-minded educators from around the world with the goal of enhancing our knowledge about the history of the Holocaust.
What was the most compelling thing you learned as an Alfred Lerner Fellow?
It is very hard to narrow it down to one piece because it was like each minute, each hour, each day, I learned something that helped me build upon my prior knowledge which made me a better educator.
What is your favorite memory from your participation in JFR programming?
I have two favorite memories: The first was being able to hear Roman Kent’s testimony and then sitting with him for a one on one conversation about his book, My Dog Lala. My second favorite memory was being in the presence of Peter Hayes as he provided us with a detailed lecture about the Holocaust and his book Why? Explaining the Holocaust.
How do you feel the fellowship has impacted your life, both personally and professionally?
Being offered the opportunity to become an Alfred Lerner Fellow made me think even deeper about the need to help and support others when they are being ridiculed, ostracized, and attacked for being a human being. It encouraged me to continue to be hopeful that we can learn from the Holocaust and that with this knowledge we can combat antisemitism.
As an educator, being an Alfred Lerner Fellow helped me to connect with other great educators, it enhanced my knowledge about rescuers, and it helped me to connect the pieces about the history of the Holocaust.
Anything else you’d like to share with the JFR’s followers and supporters?
Stanlee Stahl’s leadership, advocacy, knowledge, support, and care is vital to the program. We need people like her to help other educators hone in on their knowledge about the history of the Holocaust so that we can continue to combat antisemitism and Holocaust denial.
Sadie Rodgers
Where are you from?
I am originally from New York City but I spent the majority of my life in South Carolina.
Where do you teach and what subject do you teach?
I teach English at Richland Northeast High School grades 9-12.
How did you get involved with the JFR?
I got involved with the JFR through its connection with the South Carolina Council on the Holocaust. I went to a SCCH conference and they provided the participates with information about the JFR’s week-long conference at Columbia University.
What drew you to the organization and its programming?
I was drawn to the organization and programming because it provided new opportunities and information that I could use in the classroom. I had never heard about people outside of the Jewish community that helped during the Holocaust and I wanted to share that knowledge with as many students as possible. Through the JFR I was able to make connections to other teachers in the United States and Europe. Even though it has been almost ten years since I went to Columbia University I still keep in touch with a teacher from Czechoslovakia.
What was the most compelling thing you learned as an Alfred Lerner Fellow?
I learned so much as an Alfred Lerner Fellow. It is extremely difficult to say one piece was more compelling than another. Therefore I would have to say it was all compelling for me.
What is your favorite memory from your participation in JFR programming?
My favorite memory from the JFR program was finding a network of lifelong friends that shared my passion for improving the quality of Holocaust education for students.
How do you feel the fellowship has impacted your life, both personally and professionally?
This program opened my eyes to the need for programs to keep history alive. It is part of my professional goals to try and get more programs like this started. I know I am only one person and I have a lot of work ahead of me but as long as I am a teacher and beyond I will continue to work towards the goals of this program.
Anything else you’d like to share with the JFR’s followers and supporters?
I would like to share a quote I keep close to my heart that applies to everyone during this time in our lives. “”The opposite of love is not hate, it’s indifference.” ― Elie Wiesel. We as human beings cannot be indifferent to crimes against our fellow man. Actions are important no matter how small. Thank you for this opportunity for me to share my experiences and love for this organization.
