Mariusz Sokołowski, a Leader of Dialogue from Wasilków and Białystok, participated in the Powell Holocaust Summer Institute (from August 6th-10th, 2017) at the Holocaust Center for Humanity in Seattle. This is the second time the experience of Polish educators was part of this incredible program. The Summer Institute consists of a variety of lectures, workshops, discussions and site visits, including, among others, an inspiring conversation with Alexandra Zapruder, author of “Salvaged Pages”, about using children’s diaries in the classroom, as well as a lecture by Beth Griech-Pollele about German Catholic Church’s attitudes during the Nazi era. Another highlight of the program was the site visit to Bainbridge Island Japanese American Exclusion Memorial, an outdoor exhibit commemorating the internment of Japanese Americans during World War II.

But the part of the program that Mariusz found most inspirational was the meeting with Henry Friedman, Holocaust Survivor, and Steven Baral, whose parents survived the Holocaust by being on the Schindler’s List. For his part, Mariusz had an opportunity to share his perspective and experiences of using the School of Dialogue as means of introducing local Jewish history into his teaching of history, and ways in which he continues to incorporate the rich legacy of Wasilków Jews into his educational practices.

Mariusz Sokołowski’s participation in Powell Holocaust Summer Institute was made possible by the generous support of Nancy Powell and Carol Heller.