HANC - Larry Gordon

Mr. Beryl Eckstein, executive vice president, HANC, and Mrs. Tova Rosenberg, director  of ‘Names, Not Numbers’
Mr. Beryl Eckstein, executive vice president, HANC, and Mrs. Tova Rosenberg, director
of ‘Names, Not Numbers’
Lea Feiner interviews Larry Gordon
Lea Feiner interviews Larry Gordon

On Friday, November 13, HANC Middle School had the introductory portion of what promises to be a most moving program. “Names, Not Numbers” is a copyrighted oral history film project created by Tova Fish-Rosenberg that takes the teaching of the Holocaust and its lessons well beyond many previous efforts.

This film project preserves, on DVD, a small segment of the history of World War II and its aftermath. Students gain firsthand knowledge as they are paired with and given the opportunity to interview and record Holocaust survivors or World War II veterans who liberated camps. At the same time they also form intergenerational friendships with their interview subjects.

The introductory program began with moving remarks by the principal, Rabbi Elliot Hecht. Rabbi Hecht discussed that Hashem has given us an ability to forget, which helps us cope with many things, but with regard to the Holocaust, we must never forget. Next, Mrs. Rosenberg discussed how the program would work, and she introduced a video clip of a survivor. The students were spellbound as they watched the moving video depicting all of the survivor’s memories. After the video, the students were privileged to hear from Mr. Larry Gordon, editor of the Five Towns Jewish Times. Mr. Gordon discussed his in-laws’ experiences during the Holocaust. He also discussed different interviewing techniques with the students. The students took copious notes in order to be ready for the real interview process. Toward the end of the program, Mr. Gordon roleplayed what an actual interview would be like. Eighth-grader Lea Feiner asked him questions, and Mr. Gordon responded and was impressed with her questions.

The entire morning was videotaped and will be part of the culminating project. The students are extremely excited about this program.

HANC Middle School would like to thank Mr. and Mrs. Beryl Eckstein for generously funding part of the program. HANC would also like to thank Mr. Gordon for his time, and Mrs. Rosenberg, for bringing this incredible program to HANC Middle School. 

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here