On Tuesday, September 24, HANC Middle School held its Names, Not Numbers program. Names, Not Numbers is a registered oral history film project and curriculum that Mrs. Tova Fish-Rosenberg created that takes the teaching of the Holocaust and its lessons well beyond many previous efforts. Through the Names, Not Numbers® program, HANC’s eighth grade students had the opportunity to document the teachings of the Holocaust and address questions about an individual's responsibility to humanity.
The night began with a dessert reception for the students, their families and the survivors and their families. This allowed everyone to mingle and enjoy the company. In fact, the intergenerational component is a key aspect of the program. After dessert, Rabbi Elliot Hecht, Middle School Principal, introduced the program followed by the anthems. Next, Mrs. Tova Rosenberg, creator of Names, Not Numbers®, introduced the program. Next, the lights were turned off and it was time for the feature presentation. The movie presented the students’ interviews of Mrs. Lisa Baer, Mrs. Pearl Field, Mrs. Hannah Holsten, Mrs. Annie Leiser-Kleinhaus, Professor Asher J. Matathias and Mr. Alfred Schoenfeld. At the end of the movie, there was loud applause, and when the survivors were asked to come to the front for a final time, the crowd of people erupted. Afterward, parents and students were effusive in their praise of this most powerful evening. May the parents and students always pass down the testimony from generation to generation. Names, Not Numbers® is generously supported by a prominent national foundation. The following families sponsored as well: the Alper family, the Brand family (together with Mrs. Brand’s parents), the Maryles family, the Nudelman family, the Traum Family, the Yizhaky family and the Deutsch Fund. A special thank you to Tova and Dov Rosenberg for their efforts with this program. The Names, Not Numbers® at HANC 2023-24 documentary will be included in the archives of The National Library of Israel in Jerusalem, Yad Vashem, and Yeshiva University's Gottesman Library.
