*This article was updated on 9/8/2023
During a year-long elective class, a group of nine Blue Cluster students worked together in partnership with the organization Names, Not Numbers to create an informative film on the Holocaust, interviewing two survivors. Names, Not Numbers is an organization that works with schools all over the country to facilitate interviews and film Holocaust survivors for posterity. This is the second year Stephen Gaynor School has participated in this project.
In addition to learning about the Holocaust and the individual stories of survivors, students learned interview skills and techniques from Gaynor parent Sian Edwards-Beal, a producer, writer, and director. Ms. Edwards-Beal emphasized the importance of research before an interview, and ways to help the interviewee remain comfortable when speaking about an emotional topic such as this one. The students also learned how to use professional film equipment, how to frame and capture moments on film, and how to track a film for editing.
Student Declan K. said, “It’s important to tell the story about what happened in the Holocaust, because there are still a lot of people out there that don’t believe that it happened, and it’s super important to know so that something like this doesn’t happen again.”
This year’s documentary from Gaynor shares stories from Yvonne Pfeffer Dubinsky, who escaped from Germany with her family and went through France to Algeria, and Asher J. Matathias, who was born during the Holocaust in a cave in Greece. While the film is not visually graphic, it does tell the story of incredible hardship and challenge, and family separation.
The students also expressed their gratitude for being able to speak with these survivors, especially as they are the last generation to have the privilege to hear these stories first-hand. Student Serena A. said, “Being a part of the last generation, I think it’s very special and important, and I think even if there’s a lot of books and movies it’s still really important to be learning about it.” Eliana M. added, “I feel really happy that I can spread awareness about the Holocaust and share their stories with future generations.”
Director of Upper Division Christine Karamanoglou reinforced the importance of this project to the students, saying, “Most importantly, you are advocates and you are allies. Your participation in this project allows these stories to be preserved.”
To close the documentary, the survivors each gave a final message:
“I urgently ask you to stand very strong against all of those who say they alone should have power, and they alone should make decisions about everything while others suffer and are marginalized,” Ms. Dubinsky said. “Whether you’re Jewish or not, just stand strong against antisemitism, which is so prevalent today both in our own country and elsewhere. Stay strong in your beliefs. Believe in what is right, what you know in your conscience is right. That is the most important thing.”
Mr. Matathias’s message was, “To live first. When you think of the alternative, life is much better. To be optimistic. To be hopeful. To give is another lesson. Remember Anne Frank? She said, give. Give whatever you can. Nobody has gotten poor from giving! And if you cannot give [material things], give kindness. Just be kind. So, I say to you, please, please don’t lose sight of humanity.”
The entire documentary can be viewed below: