Workshops on Jewish traditions and experiential learning about the Holocaust at Digital Academy Kutná Hora - Malín

Jewish traditions and culture in the Kutná Hora region

The first two workshops were led by Marek Lauermann, who has long been involved in popularizing Jewish culture. Thanks to his engaging guidance, the students reflected on their knowledge of Judaism during an interactive discussion and, through a mini-lecture, delved into the topic of Jewish burial traditions, the symbolism of tombstones and the history of the Jewish cemetery in Malešov.

The most successful activities were the practical ones, where pupils tried to read Hebrew texts using worksheets and a simple transcription chart. Some got excited about deciphering Hebrew inscriptions from photographs of tombstones, allowing them to understand how historical monuments can reveal stories of the past. Mr. Lauermann also introduced modern methods, such as the use of artificial intelligence to analyze historical texts, showing how traditional history can be combined with technology. His ability to engage students and present a complex topic in an engaging way was truly admirable.

LARP: Experiential Pedagogy on the Holocaust

The second two workshops focused on innovative teaching about the Holocaust through experiential pedagogy. Under the guidance of Vendula Borůvková, an experienced writer and dramaturge who has long been involved in combining history and role-playing games, the pupils took part in the workshop "Jude raus!". This LARP game transported the participants to the Protectorate of Bohemia and Moravia and allowed them to take on the roles of fictional characters whose fates were influenced by the reality of the war.

Contribution to our school

Thanks to the workshops, which were made possible by grant support from the Holocaust Victims Foundation, the Central Bohemia Region, the towns of Kutná Hora and Čáslav, our school gained not only a unique educational experience, but also new impulses for further work with students. The students not only gained knowledge about Jewish culture and history, but also important experience in empathy, critical thinking and teamwork.

Both lecturers were very inspiring and showed us how to approach serious historical topics with professionalism, inventiveness and respect. We are proud to have hosted this exceptional event and look forward to further collaborations that will enrich our students and teachers.