Buna Ziua from Alabama!

 Hello to all of you!

I am sure you have heard the story by now of how this blog came about. I have visited Targu Lapus twice; the last time in 2018. Ms. Ciupe and I met in 2016 and have been friends since then. We also have worked together on teaching about the Holocaust. 

I am so excited that you are reading Determined to Survive. This story about Max Steinmetz, a Holocaust survivor from your town, is very dear to my heart. Max died in 2021 and it is my goal to always tell his story. He was "Determined to Survive." I am "Determined to Remember."

I would love to know your thoughts on the book so far. I have 2 questions for you.

1. What are 2 things you have learned so far?

2. What are 2 questions you have about this story?

I am looking forward to hearing from you!

Hello Again From Birmingham, AL!

Hi Everyone,
It has been awhile since we have been in touch. I know most of you and really enjoyed our discussions last semester. I especially enjoyed our Skype session with Max. I have new students this semester, so would you take the time to introduce yourself to them? They will also be introducing themselves to you. Ms. Ciupe and I have talked and we would like to do a few different things this time around. Stay tuned... :)

Amy McD

A New Year!

Hello!
I hope your new year is off to a wonderful start. I hear that there has been a lot of snow there! We have not had any snow here yet. Thank you for all of your responses to the questions. I appreciate the time you put into your responses and your honesty.

I have all new students this semester. So that we don't repeat what we did last semester, I have a question for you. Is there anything specific you would like to study together? I would love to hear your ideas and thoughts.

One more thing... January 27 is International Holocaust Remembrance Day. On January 27, 1945, Russian troops liberated Auschwitz-Birkenau.  My classes will be doing an activity on Monday, January 28 in memory of this. I would love for all of us to somehow commemorate this together. Any ideas?

I'm looking forward to our time together this semester.

Ms McDonald

Skyping with Max

Hi Everyone!!
I am so sorry I haven't posted anything before now. We are getting ready for final exams here. I can't begin to tell you how amazing it was to Skype with all of you! My students enjoyed it so much. And Max... he is still talking about it. :) It meant so much to him for all of you to go to the effort to come back to school to talk with him.

To wrap up our project this semester, my students answered the following questions. Ms. Ciupe and I would also like for you to answer them. Thank you so much for taking the time to do this.

1. Are there "wrongs" or injustices associated with where you live, or in your state or country as a whole? Include past and present.

2. Can we ever undo or fix the wrongs of the past? Explain your thoughts.

3. Is there a point in continuing to study things like the Civil Rights Movement or the Holocaust? Explain your thoughts.

4. What parallels or lessons can we take from these time periods and apply to today?

5. What is your vision for the kind of world in which you would like to live?

6. What responsibility do you have for bringing about that kind of world?

It's All Relevant... Here and Now.

So far we have been taking things pretty slowly with the communication and readings. We are all very busy with school, activities, life, right? And besides, do you ever wonder what the point is of reading history? Seriously, don't we sometimes get tired of looking back at the past? Do you ever ask yourself how this is going to apply in real life?

I have to be honest and say that I am writing this post with a very heavy heart... especially after this past week. Things seem to have taken on a new urgency. In our time together, we are focusing on the Civil Rights Movement and the Holocaust. This is troubling, dark, heartbreaking history. 

Take the time to read this article from CNN. Look at the pictures. Share your thoughts. Ask your questions. I think we are all asking questions right now.

https://www.cnn.com/2018/10/28/us/72-hours-of-hate-in-america/index.html

Thoughts from Reading

Choose a phrase or sentence from each of the following readings that stood out to you: Letter From Birmingham Jail, I Have a Dream, Interview with John Lewis.
Explain why they impacted you.

Documentary Link

Please watch this documentary on the Civil Rights Movement called A Time for Justice. It is excellent and will add to our discussion.

https://youtu.be/VFv8ok1GekE