Year 10 Historians Visit the Sydney Jewish Museum

On Monday 20 February 2023, MLC School’s Year 10 cohort attended an excursion to the Sydney Jewish Museum as part of their investigation into World War Two and the Holocaust. Whilst all the girls were moved by the experience, particularly their engagement with a Holocaust Survivor, two have chosen to share.

Sophia Malas (Year 10)

‘One of history’s most recognised genocide was the Holocaust, or Shoah, in which 6 million Jewish, Romani, disabled, Jehovah’s Witness, and homosexual people were murdered by Nazi Germany. On Monday, as a Year group, we were lucky enough to further develop our understanding of this horrific event, by visiting the Sydney Jewish Museum. Entering the museum, I felt privileged to experience a memorable opportunity. I was able to discover new stories and learn more about the hardships of the Holocaust. We were separated into smaller groups and had a tour guide who showed us around the major parts of the history of this event. The guide herself, had a strong connection with the Holocaust as her father was a survivor. She had always felt the need to continue telling her father’s story to younger generations in hopes that they would carry the knowledge and stories to future generations. The most impactful part of the day for me was meeting a holocaust survivor named Dasia Black. Hearing her story, gave me a rare insight on the Holocaust and the severity of how it impacted a whole religion. Visiting the museum was a unique experience from which I gained new aspects, knowledge, and memories.’

Amelia Armstrong (Year 10)

‘On Monday 20 February 2023, we went to the Sydney Jewish Museum in Darlinghurst; it was an insightful and emotional experience for everyone. The day began with a presentation on World War II and the Holocaust, which was a great way to consolidate what we have been learning in class over the past few weeks. Following this, we were taken around the Museum by a guide – my group was lucky enough to be guided by a second-generation descendant of a survivor of the Holocaust. One of the most confronting sections of the Museum was the Children’s Memorial – the names and photos of all the 1.5 million children senselessly murdered during the Holocaust were displayed. After this, we were extremely fortunate to be able to meet a survivor from the Holocaust – her name was Dasia Black. She survived in the ghettos with her parents until 1942, when she was sent to live with a Catholic family. Sadly, both her parents were murdered in the Holocaust, leaving her orphaned. Once returning to her hometown, she discovered her Aunt and Uncle were still alive, and she was adopted. Her story left everyone with a newfound sympathy for the survivors and a deeper understanding of the devastating, lifelong effects it has had them. Overall, our excursion to the Sydney Jewish Museum was an extremely valuable and memorable experience which gave us all new insights into the horrors of the Holocaust and World War II. I am incredibly grateful we had this opportunity.’

– David Posker-Hill
Head of Department – History and Religious Education

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