Testimonials

It enlivened the curriculum and enabled our students to connect their family history with that of the overall curriculum thus empowering them to see their connections to important historical events. Students were excited to participate in this unique activity combining artistic expression and history.

Dimitri Saliani, Principal

Eleanor Roosevelt High School, NYC

I was personally involved in bringing many of our students to view the installation, and meet the artists first hand. What a marvelous experience for us all. The hi-tech component, seeing the paintings come alive, learning the touching story of loss, love and memory all came together for our students.

Each student who visited the exhibit had the chance to sit and sketch, write a journal entry, or poem. These activities tied into the classroom study of the Holocaust, art, computer technology and writing...As a teacher of more than 30 years, I personally feel that this wonderful experience enriched our students understanding of the subject matter, and the process of creating collaboratively.

Carol Routman, Art Teacher

Donna Klein Jewish Academy

Boca Raton, Florida

The Memory Project is a formidable work of art...[It] provides teens and adults with a vivid look at a survivor’s memory. It is a wonderful stepping stone to incredible conversations and insight for us all. We highly recommend that everyone take the opportunity and the time to visit this Project when it comes into your community. It will be time well spent!

Dr. Leon Weissberg, Executive Director

Jewish Education Commission

South Palm Beach County, FL.

…by the end of this gentle, affecting piece, [Roz] discovers that what she can do is to keep alive her family's connection to him [her uncle]. The Nazis attempted to erase the identity, humanity, and history of her victims, she concludes, so "remembering is an act of defiance and creativity is a form of revenge."

The Rev. Thomas W. Goodhue

Executive Director, Long Island Council of Churches

The story of a second-generation artist grappling with the legacy of the Holocaust is compelling, and you are telling it in a way that is both originally and visually interesting. I have no doubt that it will find a wide audience among viewers. Your approach of using multiple images on screen will appeal to a generation accustomed to a technologically alive universe…Based on the materials you sent me, we will be interested in considering the documentary.

Ronald Thorpe, VP, Director of Education

WNET/Thirteen/WLIW21

I think [this] can inspire teachers if they’re young, or if they’re my age and they’ve been teaching for 18 years… Something like this needs to get into the schools...To me, it’s magical. It’s relevant. It’s real, and it’s now.”

Wendy Lindner, High School Teacher, Long Island

The brushstrokes of the actual paintings really drew me into the process, into Roz’s thoughts and feelings, and into Kalman’s soul. Very powerful.

Jenny Lam, Brand Strategist, China Expert

Educators

Students

“This initiative features unique educational aspects, combining a personal experience with a universal message through artistic representation, crossing cultures, languages and age groups. It is this fusion of creative expression, personal responsibility and pedagogical implementation that makes the project an effective, relevant educational endeavor...

Here at the International School for Holocaust Studies at Yad Vashem we are very interested in this project. Once completed, we intend to explore the film’s potential incorporation in our ongoing educational activity with teachers and students from around the world.

Dorit Novak, Director

The International School for

Holocaust Studies

Yad Vashem, Jerusalem

MEMORY PROJECT

Using the power of art, story and media to help people connect and understand our common humanity.

This video and story both made what happened with the Jews during Hitler’s rule seem so much more real. This video did a great job in capturing the story and the emotional connection the artist and her mother both had to the events.

-Andrea W.

I will remember drawing my great grandmother and laughing about my representation, but feel really good about how much time I took dedicated to doing this project about her. The presentation was the most meaningful part because I was sharing part of my own life through my ancestor’s.

-Juliette R.

I really liked how there was repetition, not in a bad way, but in a way that makes me feel bad/sad. This piece can really get to you and many people can relate to this if not just about the Holocaust.

-Vincent L.

Before doing the project, I never really thought about how great my mom was. I mean I knew she was great but I never looked at the reasons why.

-Eileen R.

I really, truly enjoyed this project. I also loved hearing about my classmate’s experiences. I never really knew how much I don’t know my classmates. It has taught me not to assume I know everything about someone.

-T.K.

What I learned about my friend’s experience, which relates to the Holocaust, is that no matter what happens, keep trying to go on.

-Brian S.

I thought the entire process was really cool because when I was interviewing my mom, she got really emotional about some things and laughed about others. I felt like there was a new connection between my mom and I, and my mom and her family.

-Morgan J.

I think that the connection of art to history is very important because it can help you visualize things more. Also, when you are actually doing something you are able to form even a deeper connection to the subject, or at least I am personally, because you are doing something with your hands as well as your mind.

-Ariel C.

I was amazed to see my grandfather so young. It was interesting to see that he was once a young man too. Making art based on him felt like I was honoring him.

-Anna C.

The most meaningful part was definitely the drawing. Trying to remake my great grandfather’s emotions into a drawing was very hard and rewarding thing to do.

-Jake B.

You really get a sense of who a person is, and what they went through. In reality, these hardships are what bring human kind together.

-Kassandra P.

That you look at a person differently when [you] know what they’ve experienced in their lives.

-Tyler K.

I will remember how much of a struggle he went through and never again will I look down upon him for dropping out of high school. I understand now.

-Adrianne B.

I will remember how much more I learned about my cousin’s death. It was hard to talk about but it felt good after.

-Liam M.

I noticed how each painting looked like Kalman but none of the paintings were that similar.

-Alice F.

I will remember my grandfather’s story forever. Hearing his story from him was the most meaningful part, and how exciting it was for him.

-Ryan

I like how art can be used to express the emotions and mindset of past events that we can only read about in textbooks and not truly experience ourselves…I really liked learning about how observation and focusing on light and shadows can evoke feeling from a plain piece of paper; it’s truly magic.

…I too, from photo and the interview, have learned more about my family’s history as well as to embrace the history more than I have. I will continue to learn more and immerse myself and appreciate all of that my family have underwent in order for me to live the life that I live now.

-Isabella C.

“I think that this project was amazing because you can imagine how he was and you feel his presence with you. I really liked it.”

Brenda P., 8th grade

Boca Raton, FL

“When you were painting I looked at that exact picture and it was amazing.”

Marissa S., 10th grade

Bellmore, NY

The Memory Project touched me…It reminded me of my grandmother even though she wasn’t in the Holocaust. Made me think of the facts and what people went through, the hard times.

Paige S., 10th grade

Bellmore, NY

It brings your feelings out on paper to show other people what they mean. If you can’t talk about it because it’s too emotional, it brings it out.

Samantha E., 10th grade

Bellmore, NY

More...

Click to see students’ art.