Valley Central High School recently hosted a powerful and educational exhibit titled “Resilience: Children, Families, and Communities During the Holocaust,” brought to the school by the Holocaust Museum and Center for Tolerance and Education at Rockland Community College. This exhibit, made possible by a generous grant from the Valley Central Education Foundation to Global Studies teacher Michele Sinn , provided students with a unique opportunity to explore the concept of resilience through the lens of Holocaust survivors and victims.
The exhibit corresponded with the World War II lessons being taught in Global Studies and an English class’s reading of “Night” by Elie Wiesel. It was open to all students and available for parents to view during Parent-Teacher conferences, ensuring a broad audience could engage with the impactful displays.
Michele Sinn, who teaches Global II and a college course called Holocaust and Genocide through SUNY Albany, spearheaded the initiative. Her efforts allowed high school students to deepen their understanding of historical events and their lasting impact on all of humanity. All social studies classes were invited to view the exhibit, which was on display from March 17-21, 2025. Additionally, all students were encouraged to view the exhibit during their free periods.
Michael Davis, the librarian at Valley Central High School, noted the significance of the exhibit in helping students understand resilience. “It puts in context for them the extraordinary resilience children and families displayed during such a dark time. I think it helps them also identify resilience in their own lives,” he said.
To enhance the learning experience, Michele Sinn found corresponding videos that students could play by scanning signs with QR codes on them. These videos provided expanded context for the displays. One particularly poignant display featured a photo of a milk container used as a time capsule, buried in the Warsaw Ghetto, and discovered in the 1950s. A global studies student remarked, “The photo showed resilience because even after the terrible treatment they received, they were determined to leave their mark and a record so they were not forgotten.”
The exhibit also highlighted the experiences of children during the Holocaust, which deeply impacted many students. One student reflected on the picture of a young girl who was part of the Kindertransport, noting how “difficult it would be for such a young child to be separated from their family and the world they knew.”
Another student commented on the resilience shown by survivors through various acts, such as continuing to teach children despite school closures, taking their babies for strolls, and women sharing a wedding dress. “All of these show resilience and their fight to stay alive and continue their legacy,” the student said.
The Resilience exhibit at Valley Central High School not only provided a profound educational experience but also inspired students to recognize and appreciate resilience in their own lives. The collaboration between Valley Central educators and administrators, the Holocaust Museum, and the Valley Central Education Foundation made this impactful learning opportunity possible, leaving a lasting impression on all who attended.
