Campaign Against Anti-Semitism Successfully Reaches 835 youths through Second Witness Program

In the heart of Mönchengladbach, a unique educational initiative is taking shape, focusing on the themes of freedom, democracy, and the importance of individual contribution to their preservation. Led by the association Zweitzeugen e.V., this project aims to ensure the memory of Holocaust victims is not forgotten.

The project, which began in collaboration with the Regional Education Office in 2023, has reached 835 children and young people across 35 workshops in local schools. Student Johanna Wassenhoven, deeply moved by her encounter with eyewitness Eva Weyl in a Zweitzeugen workshop two years ago, took the initiative to develop a two-year project, interviewing five eyewitnesses of the NS era living in a local nursing home.

The focus of these educational projects is on biographical stories of Holocaust survivors, such as Margot Friedländer, Leon Weintraub, and Rolf Abrahamsohn. Through engaging discussions on historical and contemporary antisemitism, civil courage, and the value of a diverse society, participants are encouraged to reflect on the importance of these themes in their own lives.

Johanna Wassenhoven transcribed and edited the conversations into audio clips, making the results of her project available to teachers and fellow students as a valuable resource. The feedback from participants shows that these stories inspire action in daily life or through personal projects. Ksenia Eroshina from Zweitzeugen e.V. emphasises this impact, stating that the stories serve as a powerful reminder of the past and a call to action for the future.

The Deputy Mayor for Education, Culture, and Sports, Christiane Schüssler, expresses her gratitude to the sponsors for making the project possible in Mönchengladbach schools. The sponsors include local initiatives like the EWAG organizing sponsor runs with donations from families and friends, the NEW AG supporting regional social, cultural, and sports projects, and partnerships linked to institutions like Bayer 04 Leverkusen that promote social and educational initiatives in nearby areas.

Looking ahead, more workshops are planned for Gladbach schools in 2025 and 2026. Participants in these projects have even written personal letters to Holocaust eyewitnesses, fostering a sense of connection and understanding between generations. As the project continues to grow, its impact on the local community and the preservation of Holocaust memory becomes increasingly significant.

For more information about Zweitzeugen e.V. and their projects, please visit their website at www.zweitzeugen.de.

Campaign Against Anti-Semitism Successfully Reaches 835 youths through Second Witness Program