Student Symposium at the Toronto Holocaust Museum
Last week, four students travelled with Mr. Downer and Ms. Steadman to attend the Student Leaders’ Symposium on Antisemitism and the Holocaust, a full-day event held at the Toronto Holocaust Museum. There were two students from the Diversity Club, Maya Sood ‘28 and Serina Keshwani ‘28, and two from the Social Justice Club, Irene Li ‘26 and Niusha Safizadeh ‘26.
The symposium was an opportunity to identify patterns and examples of hateful behaviour and to problem solve ways to combat those trends and to build more positive communities. During the event, our group got to hear from a Holocaust survivor, Pinchas Gutter, to tour the museum, to attend workshops by the groups Facing History and the Canadian Civil Liberties Association, and to hear a student, Hannah Schwartz, speak about her experiences in a Toronto high school. Our group also got to meet students from other schools, participate in group discussions and voice our ideas.
Here is Niusha’s takeaway:
“I found it eye opening when we got a chance to see a real life survivor. It really changed my perspective on the Holocaust, as I realized it wasn’t that long ago if we still have people alive today that lived through it. It is so important that we hear their stories to one, not allow history to repeat itself, but also move towards a better future.”
Serina had this to say:
“I had always known that the Holocaust was something that affected certain people in this world, I had not known how badly and how it still impacts the world today. It’s a huge realization and was an amazing experience to fully understand what happened to so many people, and how we can help make sure people who have been affected don’t face it today.”
“I had always known that the Holocaust was something that affected certain people in this world, I had not known how badly and how it still impacts the world today. It’s a huge realization and was an amazing experience to fully understand what happened to so many people, and how we can help make sure people who have been affected don’t face it today.”
It was a remarkable experience. We look forward to bringing ideas back to our respective clubs and then working on initiatives at the school in the new year.
Land Acknowledgment
The Country Day School wishes to recognize and acknowledge the land on which the school operates. Our nearest Indigenous Nations are now the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation and the Chippewas of Georgina Island. The Dish with One Spoon Wampum covenant is often cited as an example of the shared responsibility for caring for these lands among the Huron-Wendat, Anishinaabe and Haudenosaunee peoples who would call these their traditional territories. CDS respects the relationship with these lands and recognizes that our connection to this land can be strengthened by our continued relationship with all First Nations, by acknowledging our shared responsibility to respect and care for the land and waters for future generations.
School Information
Junior, Middle and Senior Schools
13415 Dufferin Street, King, Ontario L7B 1K5
(905) 833-1220
communications@cds.on.ca
admissions@cds.on.ca
Founded in 1972, The Country Day School is a co-educational private school offering programs in JK-12 and located on 100 acres north of Toronto in King.
13415 Dufferin Street, King, Ontario L7B 1K5
(905) 833-1220
communications@cds.on.ca
admissions@cds.on.ca
Founded in 1972, The Country Day School is a co-educational private school offering programs in JK-12 and located on 100 acres north of Toronto in King.
