Boca Raton Students Named Inaugural Holocaust Scholars By JFR

The Jewish Foundation for the Righteous (JFR) has recognized 477 middle and high school students from The School District of Palm Beach County as the first recipients of the Goldsmith Student Scholars of the Holocaust award.

The district served as the pilot partner for the online curriculum, “How Was It Possible? A Holocaust Curriculum For and By Teachers,” designed to provide comprehensive Holocaust education in classrooms nationwide. Students from 12 schools across the district participated in the program and were honored during a special ceremony on April 27, hosted by inSIGHT Through Education and attended by Holocaust survivors.

JFR’s curriculum is an online course based on “How Was It Possible? A Holocaust Reader,” written by Professor Peter Hayes. The course, which includes 16 lessons and quizzes, was developed with JFR Alfred Lerner Fellows and experienced Holocaust educators, including those from the Palm Beach County School District.

The program is named in memory of the family of Mark Goldsmith, JFR’s board secretary, treasurer and legal counsel. Prior to World War II, the Goldsmith family lived in Germany, and their story reflects the wide range of experiences Jewish families faced during the Holocaust. Many members were murdered by the Nazis, while others survived concentration camps, fled across borders, or — in one case — infiltrated Germany with British agents to assassinate high-ranking Nazis. Some family members escaped to the United States or to what was then British Mandate Palestine, now Israel.

“Through their work and commitment to understanding the moral and historical complexities of the Holocaust, these students have shown tremendous academic achievement and moral insight,” says JFR Executive Vice President Stanlee Stahl. “We are proud to honor them as Goldsmith Student Scholars and are especially grateful to the Palm Beach County School District for being our partner in launching this transformative program.”

Participating schools included Boca Raton Community High School, Boca Raton Middle School and Spanish River Community High School, among others.

For more information, visit jfr.org.