
The Holocaust did not happen overnight; nor did it occur in a vacuum. It was the result of a slow shift in definition of what were already understood and accepted concepts of good and evil. The Holocaust, therefore, was possible not because Hitler was a charismatic speaker or a cruel dictator, but because so much of his party’s intellectual and therefore ethical construct was already familiar to the people of Europe. As a result, the people of Germany and the many Nazi party members and soldiers were not deficient in moral sensibilities nor were they quintessentially evil or brutal people; they were in fact ethically sensitive. For them such deeds were simply no longer understood as evil. Herein lies the need for comprehensive Holocaust education. Through a thought-provoking study of the Holocaust and the social environment that led to it students can learn to counteract ignorance, brutality, and contempt fostered by intolerance as well as recognize the importance in following a moral compass that elevates the individual and the democratic values that nurture such a society.
The Holocaust Education Experiential Symposium elevates, empowers, and enlightens classroom teachers and civic leaders through the use of our senses as we read about a chosen Holocaust survivor, learn about their lives pre-Holocaust, and visit the Concentration Camps they were imprisoned in. In 2026 we will be learning about the Holocaust through the lens of Simon Wiesenthal led by Wiesenthal's granddaughter and Holocaust scholars in Vienna and Israel and experienced classroom teachers in an effort to help attendees become knowledgeable about the Holocaust and to become advocates for academic integrity, democratic values, truth, historical accuracy, and compassionate communities in their schools.
2026
Registration is now open.
Registration is open to all educators of grades 6-12, interested parents and community leaders.
* Registration does not include costs for hotel and travel accommodations
Austria & Israel
The Details
The Annual Holocaust Education Experiential Symposium is an intense teacher-created/ teacher-led professional development traveling Symposium where the participants gain priceless knowledge pertaining to the complex history of the Holocaust, 2000 years of Antisemitism in Europe, the roles of imperialism, colonialism, nationalism, economics, and democracy on the sociopolitical changes in Europe and how individuals were affected by these changes and how to accurately and appropriately bring these lessons to the 6-12 classroom. At the core of it all are raw historical facts, 100% applicable meaningful age-appropriate lessons, and the support of interdisciplinary team teaching - All while walking the same streets, visiting the same sites, and eating the same foods as the Jews of Europe pre-1938​​
​
Symposium dates for 2026 are TBD for the end of May 2026/ start of June 2026
​
Are you an exceptional teacher in your subject area of English, History/Social Studies, or Artistic Electives and want to learn how to better teach the Holocaust through interdisciplinary team teaching? Or do you want to improve and grow on what you are already doing? Then this symposium is for you.
​
Symposium Schedule:
​
TBA
​
​
*Certificates of Completion will be given to all teachers at the Farewell Brunch.
​
​
Date: TBD Location: Austria & Israel
Reservation Information:
​​​​​
​
Reserve your seat now.
​
Attendance is open to all educators of grades 6-12, interested parents and community leaders.
​​
$250 reservation
​
​Full registration information and costs TBA in September. All registrations must be fully paid by March 17, 2026
*Registration is a reservation. Full registration cost does not include airfare
​
​
Registration closes March 17, 2026!
Wait! I am a teacher how do I pay for all this?
There are a number of resources you can request assistance from. Here are just a few:
- Your Local PTA has discretionary funds for teacher professional development
-Your school's SAC Committee has even more discretionary funding for teacher professional development!
-Your school principal has their own discretionary fund for teacher professional development
-Your school district subject area coordinator has the ability to assist in funding your professional development when it is subject specific (our itinerary is interdisciplinary with subject content area specific lectures for this purpose)
-Contact local Jewish organizations such as the Jewish Federation, local synagogues, etc. and ask for their support. Offer to
give a free lecture for their sisterhood or brotherhood meetings based on what you learn.
- Lastly, you can use crowdsourcing options like GoFundMe or DonorsChoose.
DO NOT DELAY in securing your spot as there are only 30 spots available and securing resources from the list above as a teacher can take at least a school year!
Getting There

TRANSPORTATION
ACCOMMODATION
TBA
Thank you to our Partners & Sponsors!
For details regarding sponsorship or vendor opportunities please email us at zachorshoah@gmail.com
All sponsorship donations are tax deductible.