Youth Confronting History engages middle and high school students in Western New York, Northwestern Pennsylvania, and the surrounding region in an in-depth exploration of justice, moral courage, and civic responsibility. Over three years, students will examine the Holocaust and the Nuremberg Trials through the themes of voice, justice, and action. The goal is to connect historical events to the choices young people face today.
Students will explore how words, art, and music created during the Holocaust reveal resilience, identity, and resistance. Workshops focus on literature, visual art, and music, culminating in a student-created expressive piece or presentation.
Students will examine the Nuremberg Trials, the role of Robert H. Jackson, and real-world moral dilemmas. Workshops include a mock tribunal and case studies on moral courage under authoritarianism.
Students will connect historical lessons to contemporary human rights issues and develop civic action plans to address challenges in their communities.
This program is generously funded by the Arnold and Jill Bellowe Family Foundation which means students and teachers have no cost to participate.
We will also offer an optional traveling pop-up exhibit that pairs with each year's theme. These will be available for participating schools to reserve for 1-2 weeks and will be first come first served.
The Keynote Lecture for Year One has been scheduled for Friday, October 30th at 10am in person at the Robert H. Jackson Center.
The three workshops for Year One will be (times to be determined based on student availability, if a make-up workshop is needed, that is also possible):
The Student showcase will be scheduled later.
