Education

The Nathan and Esther Pelz Holocaust Education Resource Center (HERC) provides educational programs that deepen Holocaust knowledge and inspire positive action in schools and communities. Our Holocaust Education Map website offers free interactive lesson plans for educators, along with virtual programs that combat prejudice and promote understanding.

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Four smiling women, including Holocaust survivor and Speakers Bureau member, Eva Zaret, take a selfie in an auditorium filled with attendees. The photo is taken from their perspective looking back at rows of seated audience members. The women are positioned in the foreground, with one wearing glasses and a black top, another in an orange/rust-colored top, one in a light mint green sweater, and one in a purple top in the front center. The large crowd behind them fills the theater-style seating.

Educators Resources

Holocaust Lesson Plans

Over 120 free lesson plans and additional teacher resources sortable by Wisconsin social studies standards

Learn about Jewish Identity

A one stop for K12 Resources on Jewish identity, Jewish-American history, antisemitism, antibias. Resources include field trips, presentations, and peer led experiences.

Classroom Opportunities

Speakers Bureau

A group of dedicated Holocaust survivors and descendants of survivors who, as volunteers, make up the Speakers Bureau.

Middle school students engaged in listening during a HERC classroom workshop, seated at blue tables with focused, thoughtful expressions.

Student Workshops

Core programs brought to the classroom by our trained educators.

An open vintage suitcase displaying historical artifacts from Holocaust survivor Alfred Bader, including family photographs, a portrait, and personal letters.

Be a Historian

Students become historians as they examine primary source materials, piece together timelines, and uncover the human experiences behind the history.

Six Writing and Art Contest winners pose together at the Holocaust Museum, wearing blue visitor lanyards, with a 'Share My Story' banner visible behind them.

Holocaust Writing & Art Contest

A contest that encourages middle and high school aged Wisconsin students to draw lessons from the Holocaust.

Visitor viewing a historical exhibit featuring early Milwaukee Jewish community photographs

Field Trips

Trips to synagogues, memorial sites, and museums free or low cost to schools.

Cover illustration of 'The Assignment' depicting diverse students seated in a classroom with several raising their hands to participate

The Assignment by Liza Wiemer

Teachers can request copies of the book, The Assignment by award-winning author and educator Liza Wiemer for their classroom. They may also request the option…

Professional Development

Programs & Workshops

HERC hosts a number of professional development opportunities throughout the year.

Navigating the Holocaust

Held each summer, this workshop is a must-have for all new and current educators responsible for teaching about the Holocaust in their classrooms since Act…

HERC Education Director Sam Goldberg with Speakers Bureau members Holocaust survivor Eva Zaret and Nancy Kennedy Barnett at an event organized by a HERC fellow, reaching over 800 students in a packed auditorium

HERC Fellowship Program

The HERC Fellowship is a program of the Nathan and Esther Pelz Holocaust Education Resource Center. Created to facilitate high quality professional development related to…

Bookshelf displaying Holocaust education resources available in HERC's lending library

HERC LIbrary

Home to over 1,500 volumes, the Nathan and Esther Pelz Holocaust Education Resource Center Library holds a comprehensive collection of titles on issues like the Holocaust, genocide, antisemitism, and diversity. While a majority of the books in the Library are scholarly, there are also works of fiction, curricular materials, films, and titles for young readers. These items are available to the public for checkout at no charge.

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Student Opportunities

Holocaust Writing & Art Contest

How to enter