New Jersey Commission on Holocaust Education - 2009 Mahatma Gandhi Art and Writing Contest

In a brilliantly organized and meticulously documented presentation, Dr. Reicher explained that Nazi ideology was based on the theory that the foundation of humankind was a series of races appearing in hierarchical order - from the highest and purest, to the lowliest and most contaminated. It was, therefore, nothing short of essential to mount a monumental struggle to prevent the pollution of the ideal (Aryan) human race. This determination resulted in the legal dimension of the Holocaust. In their obsession with legalizing persecution and brutal abuse, the Nazis passed 2,000 laws against the Jews.

The "crown jewel" among these, the Nuremberg Laws of September 1935, had the distinction of having been passed by the Reichstag. As the apotheosis of racial ideology, they needed the "imprimatur" of the State. In essence, they systematically attacked the indices of human dignity through

Deprivation of earning capacity - starting with the dismissal of civil servants and professors; "un-licensing" of doctors and lawyers. (Victor Klemperer traces his journey from the prestige and comforts of academia to humiliation and abject poverty)
Deprivation of education - exclusion of Jewish students from universities, colleges, secondary and elementary schools; ultimate criminalization of home schooling. (Victor Klemperer poignantly defines this as an "intellectual death sentence"; M. Kaplan describes this process in "Between Dignity and Despair".)
Expropriation of property - a four-step process

a. registration of property

b. forced sale (Aryanization)

c. miscellaneous acts to deplete Jewish finances (as in their having to pay for the damage inflicted during Kristallnacht; taxes on emigration)

d. the Reich's becoming every Jew's heir (the ultimate indignity

Post-World War II. Response of International Law

To a great extent, thanks to the insights - and foresight - of President Harry Truman and Justice Jackson, both of whom saw the importance of an international precedent to send an unmistakable message world-wide - for which we owe them an everlasting debt of gratitude - the Court of International Law for Human Rights was born

To bring perpetrators to justice (while the British suggested to simply shoot them)
To write a historical record with clarity and precision
To establish incredible events in credible ways
To establish moral dimensions

The Nuremberg Trials

Served as basic research tools
Were unique in the history of jurisprudence of the world
Addressed mass abuses, establishing the responsibility of the individual
Articulated the concept of "crimes against humanity" for the first time
Negated claims of immunity for persons in position of power
Articulated the concept of genocide as "the intention to wipe out a people"
Enshrined a recognition of human rights in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and smashed through the ideology of denial of inherent dignity and worth by guaranteeing

a. the right to choose a marriage partner

b. the right to earn an income (one of the main indices of human dignity)

c. the right to own property

d. the right to get an education (to develop intellectually)

Through the International Tribunal for Human Rights, International Law has the mechanisms non-existent prior to the Holocaust to react resoundingly to mass abuses of human rights.

WELCOME

The core mission of the New Jersey Commission on Holocaust Education is to promote Holocaust education in the State of New Jersey. On a continual basis, the Commission shall survey the status of Holocaust/Genocide Education; design, encourage nd promote the implementation of Holocaust and genocide education and awareness; provide programs in New Jersey; and coordinate designated events that will provide appropriate memorialization of the Holocaust on a regular basis throughout the state. The Commission will provide assistance and advice to the public and private schools and will meet with county and local school officials, and other interested public and private organizations, to assist with the study of the Holocaust and genocide.

About Us

We invite you to find out more, whether you require Group or Company specific information, simply explore the site using the links to the left.

Phil Kirschner, Esq.
Chairman
Dr. Paul B. Winkler
Executive Director

State of New Jersey
Commission on Holocaust Education
P.O. Box 500
Trenton, NJ 08625

(609)292-9274 phone
(609)633-8599 fax
holocaust@doe.state.nj.us

The New Jersey Holocaust Commission is an autonomous body operating under its own policies and positions. It acts as a resource to the Department of Education to assist schools with various aspects of meeting the requirements of the mandate to provide Holocaust and genocide education. The commission provides curriculum outlines and suggested activities; identifies and publicizes demonstration sites for other districts to contact; and recommends informational resources and materials for teachers and students to use in the state.