Centropa Summer Academy 2019 in Berlin, Germany

Centropa has brought together 72 teachers from 15 countries for our annual Summer Academy in Berlin, Germany between 8-15 July where we used the city as our classroom to learn about 20th century history, the Holocaust and civil society. During the intense 7-day program, our teachers visited key historic sites, listened to expert lectures and panel discussions, met Kindertransport refugees, and learned from each other about classroom-tested lesson plans and projects involving Centropa.

Highlights of the program included visit to the House of the Wannsee conference, the Berlin Holocaust Memorial, and the Soviet Memorial Park at Treptow; our special Kindertransport session, where three Kindertransport refugees from the UK shared their experiences with us; a panel discussion of three Berlin-based journalists about migration in Germany and elsewhere; and a Shabbat service in the Pestalozzi str. synagogue, the last classic German liberal service with the liturgy composed by Cantor Lewandowski.

What our teachers said about the Summer Academy:

This week was a such tremendous experience, filled with learning, exploring, and knowing wonderful people, with big hearts and passion for making the world a better place. There are experiences that I will remember forever! Thank you so much for giving me this privilege to participate in the summer academy. (Michal Pozin-Gabai, Nes Ziona, Israel)

Centropa, attending the CSA 2019 in Berlin has forever shaped my understanding and the way I will teach about Jewish life before the Holocaust, and of peoples' lives both during and after communism. Thank you for this life-changing, mind-opening gift for my students and their families. (Amy Leserman, Los Angeles, CA)

[For me,] participating in the Summer Academy is one of the most important events of recent times. A true teacher is always learning. And participation in this conference is an invaluable opportunity to exchange experiences, learn new knowledge, techniques, and teaching materials. (Marina Konstantinova, Odessa, Ukraine)

More information about the Summer Academy: https://2019.centropasummeracademy.org/

We thank all of our partners and supporters for making the CSA such an amazing experience! See you next summer!