Holocaust curricula must be supported and taught because the world must "Never Forget!" Nazi terrorism

Echo opinion essay published in the Seattle Times, a Washington State newspaper by Lisa Wellman and John Braun. 

Holocaust and genocide awareness are crucial lessons in schools.

Check the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum at this site here for resources to help teach about the Holocaust. 

Antisemitism and other kinds of hate are on the rise across our nation. American Jews are experiencing levels of harm not seen in 45 years — hate-filled protests, antisemitic vandalism and the spread of dangerous conspiracy theories.

Disturbingly, these incidents are often fueled by a troubling ignorance of history.

A 2020 survey of Americans in the millennial and Generation Z age groups — meaning younger than 40 at the time — revealed 63% did not know 6 million Jews were murdered during the Holocaust. Even more alarming, 11% of respondents believed Jews were responsible for their own genocide. Today, conspiracy theories and the Holocaust-denial movement exploit social media and increase bias and bigotry against Jews and other groups. These trends are deeply troubling, not just for the Jewish community, but for the integrity of our democracy and society as a whole. Hatred festers in the shadows of ignorance. That is why we, as leaders in our caucuses, are committed to combating hate and fostering understanding. One foundational way we can do this is ensuring access to Holocaust and genocide awareness education for Washington’s teachers and students.

The Holocaust was not onlt a horrible Jewish tragedy; it was a humanitarian tragedy. The systemic persecution and murder of at least 6 million Jews and 5 million others — Roma, people with disabilities and political dissidents, who were all targeted for being different, highlights the devastating consequences of unchecked hatred, scapegoating and authoritarianism.

Nazi Germany committed mass murder on an unprecedented scale. The Nazis and their allies and collaborators killed six million Jewish people. This systematic, state-sponsored genocide is now known as the Holocaust. The Nazis and their allies and collaborators also committed other mass atrocities. They persecuted and killed millions of non-Jewish people during World War II.

The lessons of the Holocaust are not about history alone, they are for now. Today, more than ever, they show us how unchecked dehumanization and propaganda erode the moral fabric of society. And they compel us to confront our biases, challenge misinformation and stand up against hate in all its forms.

From encouraging Holocaust and genocide awareness be taught over two decades ago, to finally passing a bill in 2019 to “strongly encourage” Holocaust education, to funding that work to ensure it is successful, legislators have committed to ensuring school communities have access to these critical resources.

This effort cannot rest solely on teachers. It requires the leadership of policymakers, community leaders and parents. We must ensure educators have the resources and training needed to address this sensitive topic with accuracy and compassion.

But sadly, in this year’s budget crisis, continued funding of this work is at risk. We have tough decisions to make. We have to ask ourselves, what kind of society do we want to create? What will the consequences be if our youngest Washingtonians are not able to learn these critical lessons? We must preserve maintenance level funding for Holocaust and genocide awareness education in the next two-year operating budget.

The fight against antisemitism and hate requires more than condemnation — it demands education, empathy and action. In a time of rising division, Holocaust education is a powerful tool to foster unity, remind us of our shared humanity and uphold the values of justice and equality.

Now is the time for continued collaboration and sustainable funding. Together, we can continue to provide this critical work and educate the next generation to be better-informed citizens with fundamental lessons that foster critical thinking, media literacy and social responsibility, empowering individuals to create positive change.

Let us not forget the words of Holocaust survivor Elie Wiesel, who said, “To forget the dead would be akin to killing them a second time.” By committing to robust Holocaust education, we honor the memory of those who perished and ensure future generations understand the stakes of allowing hate to go unchecked.

It is our shared duty to say, “Never Again”❗ — and to mean it.

Lisa Wellman: is a Democrat representing the 41st Legislative District and is chair of the Senate Early Learning & K-12 Education Committee.

John Braun: represents the 20th Legislative District and is leader of the Senate Republican Caucus.