A Commitment to Touch The Holocaust
It has been said that one cannot teach the Holocaust, one can only touch it. This is true; however, its enormity must not deter us from learning and spreading its nearly infinite lessons.
This DVD exhibit and lecture is only a sampling of over 1200 photos taken and 120 pages of notes written in July 2006. While each camp was physically different, the goal was the same: death to at least 11 million human beings, with at least 6 million Jews as the primary target of Nazism’s anti-Semitism, ignorance, and arrogance.
John R. Pascal
Teacher, Seton Hall Preparatory School
John Pascal presently teaches 9th and 11th Grade English, at Seton Hall Preparatory School. He is also the coach of the school's Mock Trial Team, moderator of its Future Lawyers Club, and co-moderator of its Museums Club.
In 2006 Mr. Pascal was the recipient of the Martha Rich Scholarship, offered by the Holocaust Council of MetroWest. Enabled by this grant, he participated in a Summer Seminar to Europe as directed by the New Jersey Commission of Holocaust Education. The trip extended to Germany, the Czech Republic, Poland, and the Netherlands and included visits to seven concentration camps – Terezin, in the Czech Republic; Plaszow, Auschwitz I and Auschwitz II - Birkenau; Madjanek, and Treblinka in Poland; and Vught in the Netherlands.
Inspired by the trip, his faith and his late father’s service in the United States Navy during World War II, Mr. Pascal took 1200 photos and 120 pages of notes, which became the basis of a riveting DVD presentation, named A Commitment to Touch The Holocaust.
To date, Mr. Pascal presentation has been viewed by students and faculty at Seton Hall University, Harrison High School, and Millburn Middle School. For more information e-mail jpascal@shp.org or phone 973-226-0502.