Class impresses future high-schooler

To the editor

   I would like to address the article titled "Painful reminder," in the May 8th issue. As the article stated, Toby Kansagor has created a course in the high school identified as "Holocaust and Genocide."
   I was very impressed by this class being offered at the high school. This seems to be a very informative class. I was in awe as my eyes drifted across the page.
   Ms. Kansagor has taken the initiative to create a learning environment for students to take an in depth look into the holocaust and genocide in the past and present.
   I am studying the holocaust in Hebrew High School at Temple Beth-El. We have watched movies and read articles about the holocaust and the horrific events that occurred.
   Also, in my eighth-grade enriched literature class (taught by Shelley Rubin) we are reading the book "Night" by Elie Wiesel, as are Ms. Kansagor’s students. This book gives a first hand account of the life that a Jew had to cope with.
   It is extremely informative and goes into great depth. In Ms. Rubin’s class we discuss the inhumanity gypsies, Jews, homosexuals, and many others faced each and every day. We speak in her class as though we are in the place of the prisoners of the concentration camps. We feel their each and every emotion as we read and discuss the book.
   The holocaust survivors are slowly leaving us. Their stories should live forever. The holocaust was a real and horrific event. As the survivors slowly leave, the event leaves with them. People are beginning to believe that there never was a Holocaust. There most definitely was!
   History has the tendency to repeat itself. For example, Saddam Hussein repeated history within his own country. He tortured and killed his own people. Ms. Kansagor, along with Ms. Rubin, are trying to prevent the Holocaust being replicated with their extremely intriguing course/class.
   I was extremely impressed by their taking the initiative to teach students about the past so they can protect their future and the futures of others. As a thirteen-year-old on the verge of entering the high school, I am confident that I will get a high-quality education by just knowing that a class, such as Ms. Kansagor’s, is being offered.

Alexandra Hudes
Hillsborough Middle School