Eighth graders took a trip to the movies on Monday to see Race, a film about Olympic track and field athlete Jesse Owens and the adversity he overcomes both at home and in Germany. "We are approaching the end of our Holocaust unit and the chief questions we are asking ourselves have to do with prejudice and racism in history, not just for Jews but for all people," explains Rabbi Camille Shira Angel. "The movie gives great insight into Berlin during the 1930s and of the Nazi regime. It also provides a picture into racism in the U.S. during that time." Students debriefed the day’s activities by discussing characters in the film that start out in a place of self-interest, but took on more heroic roles later on; students recognized that heroes aren’t born, they evolve. Said eighth grader Jake L., "The movie is good, and really inspiring!"

 

Following the film, Director of Technology Nicholas Cole-Farrell spoke to our students about his time living in Germany. Mr. Cole-Farrell lived in Germany for 8 years and provided examples of how Germany is trying to make amends and own it’s history since World War II.