A new teaching resource aimed at tackling antisemitism in schools across Greater Manchester has been launched. The Fed's My Voice Project is an educational initiative that features over 50 authentic tales of Holocaust survival in the survivors' own words.
The project is run by Jewish social care charity The Fed. The initiative was officially launched at the Star Radcliffe Academy on Thursday (November 5).
Launch event and speakers
Councillors and school chiefs attended the event, which featured a moving speech by Holocaust survivor Anne Super, who recalled her days as a Jewish orphan hiding from German officers. Also in attendance was Deputy Mayor of Greater Manchester Kate Green, who delivered a speech.
The project provides four ready-to-use lesson plans for secondary school teachers. Schools can sign up by registering with the Fed's My Voice Project. The project will also offer long-term support and monitoring of the scheme.
Legacy of the Heaton Park attack
Fundraising and Marketing Director for the Fed, Raphi Bloom, spoke to the M.E.N at the event. He said the project is a legacy of the horrific Manchester synagogue attack.
He said: "After the Heaton Park terrorist attack, we approached Manchester Council and said, how can we use the incredible lessons of our survivors?"
Bloom described how survivors came to this country and refused to let what happened to them define them, living lives full of hope, empathy, kindness, tolerance, and championing the fact that hate is a disease. He noted that they came as Jewish refugees, were welcomed with open arms, allowed to settle, rebuild their lives, and contribute to making Greater Manchester the great place it is.
Impact on young people
Bloom added: "It's a powerful message to hear that from someone who survived the Holocaust. To still say, you've got to be kind, you've got to be accepting of others."
"It's important that those messages really have an opportunity to impact young people across the city region."
