Righteous Conversations

Monday, January 28th Aveson Global held a special assembly.  Helen Freeman, who is 91 years old spoke briefly to the students.  Helen is a survivor of Auchwitz Concentration Camp, which some consider the worst of all camps concerning human rights violations during World War II.
Helen spoke clearly and with such passion.  She was accompanied by Aveson students Purag Moumdjian and Trey Carlisle, who had met Helen while working with Righteous Conversations last summer as part of a service learning project.  There was not a sound in the room while Helen spoke.  Everyone sat in silent awe, showing the utmost respect for Mrs. Freeman.  She left the microphone briefly, only to return for one last message.  Helen rolled up her sleeve and showed the class the number that the Nazi's had tatooed on her forearm.  "There I was only a number.  But I am not a number.  No one is just a number.  And I ask you to never forget what happened then and to never let it happen again."


The Righteous Conversations Project brings together Holocaust survivors and teens to speak up about injustice in today’s world through new media workshops and community engagements. Launched at Harvard-Westlake School in February of 2011, the Project works in partnership with schools and local non-profits to empower teens in collaboration with Holocaust survivors to imagine and shape a better world.

Samara

Samara Hutman, executive director of Righteous Conversations started the assembly by introducing her organization.  Later, she introduced Purag (10th grade) and Trey (9th grade).  Each students discussed the work they did with Samara and Helen, and showed the school the Public Service Announcement they created last summer at Harvard Westlake.  (visit http://righteousconversations.org/ to see the P.S.A's and learn more about)

As the assembly ended Samara and Helen were approached by several students who just wanted to thank them.  For their time and especially to Helen, for her sacrifice.

Samara wrote to me later, "I was so moved by your community. By the understated exterior of your facade that holds within it such power for good and change in the world. I could feel it in the room."

Currently, I am working with Samara and Righteous Conversations to bring their work directly to our campus.