Shalom Austin | Yoms Educational Electives

Join us for an evening of learning and choose from a variety of classes related to Yom HaShoah, Yom HaZikaron, and Yom HaAtzmaut!

You will be able to choose one class from 6-6:45 PM and one class from 7-7:45 PM, offered by our wonderful community organizations.

Registration is required by Wednesday, April 9.

6-6:45 PM

Alma, Gisella, and Mala in Auschwitz: Three Jewish Women’s Audacious Acts of Resistance
Dr. J.E. Wolfson | Texas Holocaust, Genocide, and Antisemitism Advisory Commission

Eighty years after the Nazis withdrew from Auschwitz, we recall the experiences of three Jewish women whose confrontations with the Lager reveal its sadistically antisemitic purpose. Each woman found herself filling an unusual role that gave her special opportunities to help protect her fellow inmates, though at terrible costs. The accounts we will examine—and the ways they have been told, retold, and debated—include moments that inspire, shock, or surprise. They challenge us to bear witness with clear eyes, and they serve as proof that even in Auschwitz, some Jews found ways to act selflessly and to fight back against the Nazi evil.

A Descendant's Perspective: How Nuremberg and Auschwitz Shaped a Family's Destiny
Claudia Loewenstein | Descendants of Holocaust Survivors in Central Texas

Claudia Loewenstein offers a gripping and intimate account of her parents as adolescents and their narrow escape from Nazi Germany, offering unique insights and documentation into one of history's darkest periods. Born in Santiago, Chile to Jewish refugees who fled the Third Reich in 1939, Claudia Loewenstein offers a rare, intimate glimpse into the Holocaust's far-reaching impact across generations and continents. With 44 years as an educator and experience as a published journalist, Claudia Loewenstein brings both academic rigor and narrative flair to her talks. The presentation also features a curated exhibit of poster-size documents.

How to Win Hearts & Minds: Communication Strategies for Combatting AntisemitismJackie Nirenberg | Anti-Defamation League This course will empower participants to fight antisemitism using communications strategies proved effective by a two-year study by ADL's Center for Antisemitism Research

7-7:45 PM

From Yom HaZikaron to Yom HaAtzmaut
Michal Ilai | Shalom Austin The proximity of the two main days on the Israeli national calendar encapsulate the story of Israel -that of hardships, resilience and ultimately optimism. We will discuss what it means to go from a somber day of mourning to a happy day of celebration, and how as American Jews we can share that story.

Shevet Keren: From Vision to Action
Leann Zatlavi and Omri Argaman | Tzofim, Shevet Keren

Forging a powerful bond with Israel and Zionism while shaping the leaders of tomorrow is at the heart of our community and our nation. Join us as we unveil the inspiring journey of Tzofim, Shevet Keren, from a bold vision to a pillar of our Austin community.

From The Towers to Tel Aviv: Building Allyship on Campus
A Panel Moderated by Barri Seitz | Jewish National Fund

When the trend of the day is to demonize Israel, it takes courage and conviction from our friends beyond the Jewish faith to stand up to the alarming vitriol we are seeing on campuses across America. At a time when Jewish students feel more isolated than ever, some of the most persuasive and impactful voices come from non-Jewish student allies. Join UT student leader and alumna of JNF’s Alexander Muss High School in Israel, Barri Seitz, as she moderates a panel discussion with three non-Jewish UT students who - after visiting Israel for the first time - offer a valuable perspective on the role of allyship in combating hate, discrimination, and anti-Zionism.

To register, click here .