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EmailHana's Suitcase Project: Learning about Child Survivors
Hailey Zysman, Grade 8 student
Toronto
On Thursday May 15 th 2003 the Terrace at Baycrest Centre for Geriatric Care was more than just a home for the aged. It was the official presentation of a project which altered many lives- including mine.
It is entitled Children of War: Our Children's Legacy, Children's Voices, and created by 8D, a grade eight class at Ventura Park Public School . As a genocide exhibit, there is a large focus on the Holocaust. However, it is largely based on the effects of war on children.
Preparing for the launch was not an easy task, and many obstacles were faced. The biggest one was ourselves- we had to learn the atrocities of war before we could begin to teach others. Genocide is a topic which is often ignored, simply because nobody wishes to explain the horrors of these times to a child. However, this must be changed, because everyone has to be informed, in order to prevent it form happening again.
In early December, Ms. Lustig, our teacher, informed our class of the opportunity to create an entrepreneurship project. Each of us was astonished, as we had never expected to be part of such an adventure. However, the prospect was confirmed when we started reading a book called Hana's Suitcase , by Karen Levine. This story of a girl who was killed in the gas chambers at Auschwitz introduced the subject to us, while it touched our hearts. Once we heard the story of strength and courage through multiple worlds and points of view, we yearned for more information about times like these.
With the help of Paula David, we had the chance to do just that. We met with 3 Holocaust child survivors, Anita Ekstein, Edith Gelbard, and Sally Wasserman to learn more about the atrocities of war. These heartbreaking stories convinced us to make a difference in the world, and to stop hatred and jealousy from erupting again. “Those who don't remember the past are destined to repeat it”. To prevent genocide, we must understand the pain, and these survivors helped us in that way.
Working with Natalie McHaffie, a residential artist who helps schools with artistic projects, while being filmed by Zachary Gans, a videographer who is informed about the Holocaust, we came up with billions of project ideas. By the end we had selected our main idea- a traveling exhibit comprised of suitcases. This was an amazing idea, as it relates to Hana's Suitcase , but we could still inform others about genocide.
At the time, we had developed early stages of the stars and bundles. As the project progressed, we had painted Stars of David, and material bundles; each created by our class with the help of Natalie McHaffie, Jessica Gaber, and Zachary Gans. A complete star is a six-pointed star, where each triangle has information, researched by our class, written upon it. The hexagon (center) is painted to match the theme of the star, and includes a quote, relating to the topic of the star. Bundles are material items that tell the story of someone living through a genocide. These objects were taken with them, or obtained throughout their journey.
With more insight on these times, we later decided to create a song. With songwriter Gregg Lawless, and Yana Ioffe, music consultant form the York Region District School Board, we were able to develop a masterpiece entitled “Hana's Suitcase” , after the novel that altered our lives. However, this CD caused many dilemmas. A couple days before we were supposed to record it in Liberty Silver's studio, the plans fell threw. With dedication and determination, Ms. Lustig tried to do some networking. Ben Varadi from Spin Master Toys generously volunteered to donate studio time for our class.
The recording studio was unlike anything I had experienced before. Standing in front of the microphone, I understood the depth of the song which had become such an integral part of our lives. Just listening to the song is impossible, each part holds a memory of the special days we spent working on it. The lyrics Hana's Suitcase tell the story of Hana, on behalf of all children in the Holocaust. However, when we talk about having courage, we speak for everyone at all times. This part shares our goal, to teach each individual, as well as what we must do in order to keep Hana alive in everyone. The music along with the song was written as a collaborative effort with many people. Without all of their support, we would not have been able to complete something of this size.
Meanwhile, we knew our official launch was awaiting us. It was already April, and our launch was less than a month away. Invitations were being prepared to give to family members and friends. Also, by printing off thousands of stars, we started to create press kits to send out. However, when it came to colour copies, we were stuck. No company was able to print these inside our budget. Luckily, people were there to help us. They donated their time to print off hundreds of papers for us, and we are grateful.
Around this time we viewed our documentary, the summarization of our journey, and listened to our song for the very first time. The documentary carries so many emotions and memories. You can't just watch it; you remember each event that happened. Every part leads to another, and while you sit and reminisce, each detail comes to mind. The CD is alike in that way, but we remember the recording studio and the production of the song, as well as other opportunities others will never have.
We continued working on the speech, press kits, invitations and the bundles as we patiently waited for May 15 th . The week of the official launch, we were very excited. The first days everyone completed their display boards, and those who didn't yet have a bundle were traced down. It was complex, as there were things scattered between home and school, and one uncooperative person can throw off the entire class. However, when we thought everything was complete, we faced one of the largest complications- the CD would not be ready for our launch the next day.
Completely shocked, we made many phone calls to various people. However, Canclone Services was able to duplicate our CD in time for the launch. It proved to us there are many great people in the world who stand out, and do great things for members of the community. We truly appreciated the effort it took, and are extremely proud of the accomplishment.
To not have a CD at one moment, then to know it will be ready are two completely different feelings. We were discussing possible options that we could follow in order to complete it. But then someone volunteered, connections were found, and the CD was underway. It took two days to accomplish, but the satisfaction we all felt was immense.
Our launch was outstanding; the speeches that we had written were perfect. Many visitors including people from the Board of Education, the Holocaust Survivors Group, our parents, friends, and even Hana's brother George Brady came! We were honored to have each and everyone. However, one detail was missing- the media.
As everyone currently living understands, the media plays a huge role in what the world knows, and to be heard, you must be represented by them. It's the same with our project- our message must be spread, and there is not a better way than to have the media cover our event. We hope that the world will finally understand what we have learned, and that our one grade 8 class can positively affect the future. As the next generation, it is our duty to ensure that the following years will bring freedom to everyone.
To live up to our reputation, some representatives from our class had the opportunity to attend Character Matters , a conference at Bayview Secondary School . We presented our project to many astounded teachers, who were surprised we were only in grade 8. Our job was to let them know the impact this type of project had on our lives. Explaining the entire process in three or four sentences was difficult- there was so much to say!!! We left with a sense of accomplishment, knowing there are educators offering support to a project, which will positively contribute to the future.
We also had the chance to be guests with George Brady, and Karen Levine, at Beth Tikvah Synagogue a week later. At this event, an impressed Karen Levine and her editor Margie Woolf told us of many great opportunities, including the possibly to be on CBC Radio with Andy Barrie.
But it all came too soon, on Friday June 13 th . I got up extremely early, along with Ms Lustig, and another student Mandee Roth. The interview was five minutes, and started at 6:45 am . But afterwards, we understood the success of it. With Andy Barrie, we gained publicity as well as had a great time! Also, calls were pouring in for our already sold out CD!!!
Later that same day, at 10:15 am , was our media launch. Although only Vaughn Weekly, City TV, and CTV showed up from the media, we still had the occasion to promote our project. Throughout the day classes from our school came down to the library, to visit our project. They laughed and cried with us, just like we had hoped.
However, they will never fully understand what we have learned. Anyone working on this project can say each student in our class is now a new person. Instead of sitting and watching events take place, we will make a difference, and watch how it alters the earth. We are living in a time, where anyone can contribute anything, and it is time to take advantage of that. Furthermore, many skills and subject areas have been enhanced. The most important is character education, which is never found in regular curriculum activities. Each day we worked, it was our best. Now that it is over, we will continue to work this hard, but at the world around us. With time and knowledge, anything can be accomplished.
Ventura Park had the chance to experience Children Of War: Our Children's Legacy, Children's Voices. It is up to the next groups to understand as well, the atrocities of war, “so never again doesn't become again and again”.
