Amid an alarming rise in antisemitic incidents and other forms of hate in Canada, educators play a critical role in addressing intolerance with their students. FSWC supports educators in this vital work, collaborating with teachers and administrators across the country to focus on antisemitism and other forms of discrimination through innovative professional development programs.
WORKSHOPS
ANTISEMITISM: THEN AND NOW
This workshop covers both historical and contemporary antisemitism, teaches how to address it and offers strategies for building allyship. Participants learn to identify various forms of antisemitism, understand its origins as “history’s oldest hatred,” and recognize its role in broader discussions of hate, as part of an overall commitment to inclusivity in the classroom.
Program Goals:
• Name and identify antisemitism, old and new.
• Understand connection between historical and contemporary antisemitism.
• Develop an understanding of the impact of antisemitism.
• Learn ways to build allyship and combat antisemitism in schools.
Program delivery: Available in both virtual and in-person formats.
Suggested audience: School administrators and educators teaching grades 6-12.
Duration: 75 minutes
COMBATTING ONLINE HATE:
WHAT TO KNOW, WHAT TO DO
Program Goals:
• Explore social media including gaming platforms and alternative sites.
• Discuss how and where young people encounter hate in online spaces.
• Identify a variety of examples of online hate.
• Introduce strategies to support young people in online spaces.
Program delivery: Virtual
Suggested audience: School administrators and educators teaching grades 5-12.
Duration: 75 minutes
This program examines issues of digital citizenship in an age of online hate. Participants gain insights into the prevalence of online hate using the Simon Wiesenthal Center's Lexicon of Hate searchable database and look at the ways in which anti-Asian, anti-Black and antisemitic content is being spread online. They will also discuss the challenges young people face on popular digital platforms.
EXPLORING THE HOLOCAUST:
THEMATIC INSIGHTS
This workshop explores the Holocaust thematically, examining concepts including justice, hope and the power of individual choice. We delve into aspects of the Holocaust using a framework of best practices, including the critical importance of centering survivor voices. We provide ready-to-use activities and additional resources for post-workshop learning.
Program Goals:
• Discuss best practices in Holocaust education with a focus on centring survivor voices.
• Incorporate the history of the Holocaust in lessons through a thematic approach.
• Connect themes of hope, justice and the power of choice to stories of survival and rescue in the Holocaust.
Program delivery: Available in both virtual and in-person formats.
Suggested audience: All educators, with option to focus on grades 6 social studies and grade 10 history curriculum.
Duration: 75 minutes
HISTORY OF THE HOLOCAUST:
KEY EVENTS & TIMELINES
Program Goals:
• Investigate the history of the Holocaust through key dates and events.
• Expand awareness of symbols and language from the Holocaust.
• Discuss best practices in Holocaust education with a focus on providing context and discussing complexities.
Program delivery: Available in both virtual and in-person formats.
Suggested audience: All educators, with option to focus on grades 6 social studies and grade 10 history curriculum.
Duration: 75 minutes
This interactive workshop offers a chronological overview of the Holocaust, from the Nazi party's rise to power in Germany in 1933 to the end of World War II in 1945. It provides educators with tools to create impactful lesson plans aligned with curriculum requirements, includes classroom-ready activities based on best practices, and offers additional resources for continued learning.
LEARNING FROM SURVIVOR TESTIMONY
Program Goals:
• Learn the complexity of Jewish experiences during the Holocaust.
• Understand that history has a direct impact on the lives of individuals and their communities.
• Develop knowledge that can be used in classroom lessons on the Holocaust.
Program delivery: Available in both virtual and in-person formats.
Suggested audience: All educators.
Duration: 75 minutes
Hearing from a Holocaust survivor or a descendant provides a poignant, personal insight into the human cost of unchecked hatred. Participants gain an empathetic and informed understanding of the Jewish experience during the Holocaust, becoming witnesses to this dark chapter of history and enhancing their knowledge for teaching about it.
LITERARY JOURNEYS THROUGH THE HOLOCAUST
Children’s literature is an important access point for introducing young people to the Holocaust while building empathy for those who experienced it. This workshop explores key examples of literature aimed at elementary and secondary students that address the history of the Holocaust– picture books, young adult novels and graphic novels – through established best practices. We also provide ready-to-use activities and additional resources for post-workshop learning.
Program Goals:
• Review criteria for selecting Holocaust literature in the classroom.
• Introduce a diversity of stories through a variety of texts.
• Discuss introductory and follow-up literacy activities for students to deepen their understanding of the Holocaust.
Program delivery: Available in both virtual and in-person formats.
Suggested audience: All educators, with option to focus on grades 6 social studies and grade 10 history curriculum.
Duration: 75 minutes
PROGRAMS
NATIONAL HOLOCAUST EDUCATION CONFERENCE
Every January, in commemoration of International Holocaust Remembrance Day, FSWC hosts an annual Holocaust conference for educators focusing on best practices and key pedagogical themes for teaching lessons on the Holocaust in the classroom. Bringing together expertise from international and local scholars, the conference is an opportunity for participants from across the nation to come together in Toronto to learn directly from leaders in the field of Holocaust education through seminars, panel discussions and participant-led breakout sessions. Past speakers have included Holocaust scholars Dr. Wendy Lower (Hitler’s Furies, The Ravine), Dr. Edward Westermann (Drunk on Genocide), Dr. Valerie Hébert (Framing the Holocaust); children’s author Kathy Kacer (Two Pieces of Chocolate, The Secret of Gabi’s Dresser); and author Jennifer Teege (My Grandfather Would Have Shot Me).
children’s author Kathy Kacer (Two Pieces of Chocolate, The Secret of Gabi’s Dresser); and author Jennifer Teege (My Grandfather Would Have Shot Me).
RESTORATIVE JUSTICE
FSWC has developed specialized one-on-one programs, informed by restorative justice principles, for youth and adults involved in incidents of antisemitism. In partnership with schools and other organizations, we have created engaging programs that foster empathetic understanding and offer opportunities to address and remedy the harm caused, all while adhering to established legal frameworks.
These programs are tailored to each individual case, reflecting the unique needs of the participant and the specific context of the offense.
COMPASSION TO ACTION
Each year, FSWC brings together 30 influential Canadians – such as education directors, board chairs and heads of private schools – from across the country for a transformative educational journey through Poland and Israel. This immersive experience deepens their understanding of the Holocaust, racism and intolerance. Compassion to Action educates leaders about the history of antisemitism and inspires and empowers them to better address related issues of our times. Over the years, more than 150 police chiefs, educators, mayors, provincial and federal parliamentarians, school board superintendents, philanthropists and thought leaders have taken part in our Holocaust educational journey.
In previous trips, participants visited the hallowed grounds of Auschwitz and Majdanek concentration camps; explored the ancient Jewish town of Krakow; viewed original, archival documents from the Nazi period;
learned about the trials of Nazi war criminals; walked the path of the ancients in Jerusalem and experienced modern Israel in the always bustling city of Tel Aviv.
INQUIRE TODAYGET STARTED
We are available to answer questions and provide additional details. We look forward to your inquiry.
INQUIRE TODAYFounded in 1989, Friends of Simon Wiesenthal Center (FSWC) is one of Canada’s leading human rights organizations combatting antisemitism and other forms of hate. Through our extensive advocacy work and education programs teaching the lessons of the Holocaust and other genocides, FSWC promotes the principles of tolerance, social justice and democracy. Based in Toronto, FSWC is affiliated with the Simon Wiesenthal Center, an international human rights organization headquartered in Los Angeles, which has an official NGO presence at the United Nations, UNESCO, the Council of Europe and the Latin American Parliament.
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