Facing the Past

Shawnigan shared an educational experience with the community on Thursday, at the 4th annual Holocaust and Genocide Symposium.

Emceed by Shawnigan's Head of Social Studies, Mr. Tom Lupton, the day's two sessions both began with introductory remarks by Headmaster David Robertson.

Dr. Jay Eidelman then provided historical context for both the Holocaust and other genocides. Speaking about various massacres ranging from Armenia to Rwanda, he touched on how many of these atrocities, including the Nazi Holocaust, came to pass through legitimate, elected governments.

In the morning session, guests heard from child survivor Alex Buckman, who's parents (and many other relatives) were killed in concentration camps in Poland in 1943. In the afternoon, students heard from another child survivor, Janos Benisz. Mr. Benisz himself spent nine months in the Strasshauf Camp in Austria. Both survivors presented gripping and emotional stories from their past, giving students an eye-opening insight into our shared history, as well as answering thoughtful questions during a panel discussion.

Presented in partnership with the Vancouver Holocaust Education Centre, the event once again included a standing display. This year, the display told the story of Jewish families seeking refuge in Shanghai during the Holocaust, centring on the Gottfried family from Vienna.

Sponsored once again by Zev Shafran ’74, Shawnigan's Holocaust and Genocide Symposium provides students with a visceral connection to the horrors of our past, and uplifting stories of redemption, forgiveness, and love.

– Jon Zacks