Fourteen teachers from across the country, including eight from Palm Beach County, recently traveled to Poland to immerse themselves in the history of the Holocaust through a program organized by the Jewish Foundation for the Righteous.

Understanding the Importance of Holocaust Education

With Holocaust denial and distortion at record highs, this is so critical that these institutions exist, said Kelly Warsaw, one of the participating teachers. Warsaw serves as the board president for InSIGHT Through Education, a nonprofit based in Palm Beach Gardens that develops engaging Holocaust lessons for South Florida schools.

The educators visited major cities like Warsaw and Krakow, exploring Jewish ghettos and cemeteries. However, the most emotional moments came during their tours of concentration camps: Treblinka and Auschwitz.

I can barely even talk about it, Warsaw said, becoming emotional as she reflected on the experience. I was sad, angry. I had every emotion. But I think I had to come back to hope, she said. Hope stems from the existence of these camps as a reminder of the Holocaust, a tool against denial and distortion.

Warsaw emphasized the importance of sharing these lessons with students to ensure history does not repeat itself. We’re going to do everything we can in the community that we serve to teach these lessons with a focus on building empathy and kindness and respect for one another, she said.

Original reporting: WPBF (Treasure Coast / Hearst) — read the source article.