Reflections from Poland: The Weight of What Was Left Behind by Elizabeth King
As I sit in my hotel room in Warsaw reflecting on this journey, I’m struggling to find the right words to make sense of everything I’ve seen and heard. The weight of this experience is heavy, etched into the sights, the stories, the silences. There is one image that refuses to leave my mind: the […]
A Fraction of Truth, A Lifetime of Purpose by Keegan Holland
As I prepare to fly out of Warsaw after an incredible 10 days in Poland, I am feeling the unbelievable weight and responsibility of what I just experienced. At our going away dinner, Tsipy reminded everyone on the trip that now, it’s on us. Our trip does not end here; the journey of educating others […]
What a Cemetery Taught Me About Memory By Jodi West
As a middle school ELA teacher, I spend a lot of time helping my students explore the depth of Holocaust literature. We talk about memory, loss, resilience, and the responsibility of bearing witness. These themes are powerful in the classroom, but it was not until I visited a Jewish cemetery that I truly understood how […]
Leave Room for Hope by Melissa Fetterman
I was warned about going on this trip. Not *against* going, of course, but the suggestions from ‘Poland Personally’ veterans revealed subtly the challenges that I would face. Some advice was practical: “Bring a raincoat. And comfortable shoes.” Others suggested the freedom to enjoy myself when I could: “Eat lots of ice cream cones and […]
Rabbi Means Teacher: And Teacher Means Everything by Alayna George
Up until this past week, I was unaware that the word “rabbi” actually means “teacher”. This trip was filled with brilliant teachers from all over the country, and I found myself consistently humbled by the vast knowledge each individual possessed. Yet one moment potently stood out to me that changed my perception of what being […]
A World on Fire: The Educator’s Role in the Fight Against Hate by Colleen Pegher
“And even if by some miracle I survive and escape death, the spectre of the past shall follow me everywhere like a shadow. Will I find balance, peace, and faith then? … I know all too well that I won’t… Only then will we feel the [full] burden and nightmare of the past days. Can […]
Lessons from Alabama by Rachel Floyd Mackenzie
George Floyd and I shared a last name, but my parents never had to sit down with me to explain how to respond if approached by an officer. George Floyd and I shared a last name, but no one batted an eye at my brother and me when we cut through yards and went on […]
Laughter, Loss, and Legacy: Teaching the Whole Story of America by Lisa Ross
It was so hard to summarize such a life changing trip. There is information that I already knew about the time line from the kidnapping of Africans to the present day. During this trip, gaps in my understanding (some I never knew I had) were filled. The biggest issue I would have is what to […]
When the Church Was the Movement—And Now the School Must Be by Trisha Butschle
This journey, Marching Down Freedom’s Road, has awakened in me a renewed sense of purpose and hope. Connecting with fellow educators transformed a professional experience into a personal one. We became collaborators and friends, united by a shared commitment to equality. Walking the streets of Atlanta, Montgomery, Selma, Birmingham, and Memphis, I was struck by […]