WE ARE HERE! Foundation’s Education Initiatives

The WE ARE HERE! Foundation’s  education programs promote human rights and social justice through the principle of being an Upstander.
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1 . IN MY POCKET Project

https://elirab.au

Dorrith Sim’s autobiographical story and our unique creative art project, suitable for 8 to 12 year old upper primary school children, was successfully launched around Australia in March 2023.

Participants will watch a video and read Dorith Sim’s uplifting true story about her escape, all alone in 1939 from Germany, on the Kindertransport.

The project speaks to the current situation of refugees and displaced children around the world. This true story provides a springboard to the solemn topic of the Holocaust, usually studied in high school.

We provide detailed guidelines and resources on all aspects of the In My Pocket project, including suggested questions, and a video of the pocket making activity, and art workshop.

Free mini pocket books are funded by the German Embassy in Canberra, and the Eric Samson Fund in South Africa.

Video

 

2 . Holocaust Teachers’ Resources & Year 10 Holocaust History Curriculum Resources

by Dr Bill Allen, retired Senior Lecturer in Education

Dr Bill Allen’s new and comprehensive resources are for Year 10 teachers to use to teach the Holocaust component of the in-depth study of World War 2.

Divided into two sets, the first resourse is textual, with lesson outlines, readings, discussion templates, lists of videos and activities. The second is a PowerPoint that accompanies and supports the textual resources.

These online resources are free.

“Thank you to the WE ARE HERE! Foundation for creating and making their suite of useful and informative resources available for History teachers. The resources have been well constructed and sit beautifully with the West Australian curriculum.   I would strongly suggest that all WA History teachers take the time to investigate the website and look forward to Bill Allen’s presentation on utilising the resources at the HTAWA March State Conference.”
Catherine Baron
Principal –
Lakeland Senior High School
President – History Teachers’ Association of Australia & HTAWA
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3 . The Holocaust Handbook:

The Holocaust and the Australian Aboriginal Response written by author Barbara Miller, in collaboration with the WE ARE HERE! Foundation.

https://wah.foundation/holocaust-handbook/

This detailed online resource focuses on Australia’s response to the events leading up to and during the Holocaust, and in particular the specific response of Aboriginal political and social activist William Cooper and fellow members of the Australian Aboriginal League (AAL).

Success is not always achieved overnight. William Cooper marched to the Consulate of Germany in Melbourne on 6 December 1938 to present his petition in support of Germany’s Jews. His petition was not accepted. This deed was only fully recognised by the German government in 2017.

The handbook also covers the current worldwide definition of antisemitism and what can be done to stand up to it.

This is a resource for educators and teachers and for upper secondary students and adult education programs in Australia and internationally.

“Some say that William Cooper only performed one act of solidarity in protesting the Germans’ cruel treatment of the Jews. However, I sense that he has become more than a Christian Aboriginal Upstander. He has become a symbol of the bond between Jews and Aborigines which was formed through his protest and which has deepened with the commemoration of his actions.” Barbara Miller, biographer.

The WE ARE HERE! Foundation, funded by a US government grant, brought US educator Nance Adler to Australia in 2019 to run a series of events and workshops on the theme of Upstanders. The Foundation provided new resources for educators, highlighting the story of Aboriginal UpstanderWilliam Cooper. On her return to the United States, Ms Adler introduced the William Cooper narrative to her students as part of what it means to be an Upstanderin the face of discrimination and injustice. She continues to do so today.

4 . TIES THAT BIND – Lesson Plan:

Film – Ties that Bind

with Uncle Boydie Turner and Morris Fiszman z”l

Directed by Viv Parry and produced by Justin Olstein

Copyright Viv Parry 2017

Lesson Plan by Nance Morris Adler

Learning Goals

1.    Students will be able to see the variety of ways that one can help an individual who is being oppressed.

2.   Students will recognize the difference one person can make in the life of another.

3.   Students will add to their understanding of what it takes to be an Upstander.

Dr Bill Allen, Professor Lynne Cohen, Eli and Jill Rabinowitz