On May 23rd the class of 802 went back into time to learn about Anne Frank.
The Center for Jewish History
The Center for Jewish History is located on 16th street. It’s an exhibition dedicated to Jewish history. The Center was first opened in October of the year 2000 and houses five major partner organizations: the American Jewish Historical Society, American Sephardi Federation, Leo Baeck Institute, Yeshiva University Museum, and YIVO Institute for Jewish Research. The Center for Jewish History in New York City illuminates history, culture, and heritage.
Inside the Exhibition
The class 802 came to find out more information about the legacy of Anne Frank, a young girl who kept a diary during the darkest time of history. The trip was educational and when the class arrived at the museum, a museum educator showed us around until we got left alone with a device that had to be scanned next to a number to allow us to hear information when we put it up to our ears. We also got paper and pencil to write down information we found interesting. In the museum, there were also pictures which showed the people who had lived in the Annex. There was a model house where it showed what the annex looked like on the outside. Before we entered the Annex, we had to watch a five minute video that talked about the Frank family. Then, we saw the rooms in the annex which were Mrs. Mr, and Margot’s rooms, then the living room/kitchen which was the Van Daans room, and then we saw Peter’s room, and then there was the bathroom and ultimately was Anne’s and Mr Dussel’s room.The kitchen/living room felt cramped for it to be Hermann van Pels’ and Auguste van Pels’ room. The toilet was much smaller because there was barely any space. Lastly, we came into another room where there was a glass floor that had a map in which the concentration camps were located and there was also more information and more photos on the walls. We could not take photographs or videos, however.
A Day We’ll Always Remember
After the exhibition was over, we had about 2-3 hours left to spare. So we hopped onto the train again and decided to go to Central Park. We first waited for the train and even in the train station it was exciting because people were talking and laughing and it was fun. We then arrived at Central Park. We first saw horse carriages and people walking their dogs. Even some classmates went to pet them. We then sat down to eat on the benches and a few classmates brought blankets to sit down on the grass. After everybody finished with their food, some students got up to play soccer and other students ran around the park. We later moved to a different space which was a big rock and people sat there while others ran and played soccer in another big space.I would say it was exciting and interesting to see Jewish history. It was also nice for the class to come together for a field trip and be out of the classroom. This field trip helped us learn about Anne Frank and her legacy.
Thoughts that Stayed
After the trip we decided to hear the thoughts of some students that visited the Museum. First up was Fatoumata Kabba, Fatoumata felt surprised. She knew the annex was small but it was much smaller and packed than expected. She stated, “I couldn’t believe it was a history in time.” Gabriella Solano felt taken back because of the conditions they had to live in and their lives before the concentration camp. She stated, “It opened my eyes fully to the horrors of the Holocaust of WW2”. James Echeverria felt shocked when he saw and heard the information and noticed the Annex was much more cramped than he thought. James was interested and confused about the reason why the Jews were suppressed. Alexander Diaz thought the exhibition was good and how it was well presented. He was informed and also disturbed, but it was effective because it was straightforward. He had stated “The Anne Frank exhibition is a great way to learn about Jewish history and although it may be disturbing, it’s important to learn from the past and not repeat mistakes.”
