Speaker’s Bureau

 

Jewish Traditions

Our Speakers’ Bureau is designed for sharing Jewish cultural resources in an educational or community setting. We can provide information sheets, examples of holiday stories and, where appropriate, we are delighted to provide a speaker to introduce the customs and traditions of Judaism.

We do not orient our resources toward detailed religious explanations. Our focus is on basic Judaism and the meaning of the holidays along with customs and traditions associated with them. These resources assist children in learning about a culture with which they are often unfamiliar. Learning about other cultures lessens fears and distances between people and promotes unity. For older students and adults, basic values and ethics of Judaism are explained.

Holocaust Education

Historians worldwide have recognized the critical importance of perpetuating the memory of the Holocaust as a prime means of preventing such a horror from ever again occurring.

Volunteers from the Jewish community travel to schools and civic organizations to share the video, “What I Remember,” the personal stories of Nessy Marks and Bluma Shapiro, two Holocaust survivors who have local ties to York. Following the video presentation, discussion and a question and answer session help audiences understand the content and the importance of the message of remembrance.

The JCC also welcomes groups to view “The Six Million,” a sculpture dedicated to the memory of those who perished in the Holocaust. This can be a combined program with viewing a video of an interview with the artist and the video, “What I Remember.”

Why?

Hate group membership and activity is increasing rapidly. In 1995 right here in York, a pig’s head was hung on the door of a local synagogue. Most alarmingly, national hate groups have been using south central Pennsylvania as a recruiting and staging area.

The JCC Speakers’ Bureau helps to break down the barriers created through misunderstanding and misinformation and put a human face to differences. The Speakers’ Bureau is a perfect choice for administrators, teachers or other organization representatives who are interested in utilizing cultural educational resources, either in the classroom, meeting or at a staff/faculty level. For all programs, our speakers’ approach is customized to meet the needs of specific audiences with regard to age, previous knowledge, or curriculum.

For more information about the JCC’s Speakers’ Bureau and to schedule a visit, please contact the JCC’s Program Director, Bill Walter.