The VOICES-SHOAH PROJECT is about students creating a special book, a Book of Voices speaking for the silenced voices of the Holocaust. The school team of students and staff members may be Jewish or non-Jewish; the Holocaust belongs to everyone.

          The Book of Voices contains:

[A] A cover with the title, VOICES, with the name of the school, location and date;

[B] Introductory pages, including, but not limited to:

                    1 - a description of the school and its teaching staff;
                    2 - photographs of student groups participating in the project;
                    3 - a statement of why this book was prepared;
                    4 - selected essays, poetry, photography and artwork by students about the Shoah, in answer to
                         the silenced voices. If we listen carefully, in our hearts we can hear their voices:
                               -"remember us, and remember the Shoah as a warning to all;
                               -"care for our sacred ancestral cemeteries and our mass graves, for we cannot;
                               -"teach shalom-peace, not war;
                               -"do mitzvot-good deeds, acts of kindness;
                               -"do works of tikkun olam-repairing the world and ourselves, not terrorism and
                                 destruction;
                               -"refute the deniers of the Holocaust; our ashes are proof enough."
                    5 - signed letters from the administration, rabbi or clergy about the project;
                    6 - (optional) a notarized statement authenticating the signatures in the book and that those
                         who have signed did so of their own free will and accord;
                    7 - a petition to the German and other governments, Jewish foundations, Holocaust museums,
                         etc., to care for the Jewish cemeteries and mass graves. An example petition is at
                         http://www.petitiononline.com/1200des/petition.html.

[C] Signature pages of students and staff.

          The original Book of Voices and a copy are delivered to a central location for safe-keeping (to be decided). The school may wish to keep a copy. Eventually, the originals will be donated to a Holocaust museum or foundation and the copies shown to governments and Jewish foundations.

The School Team
          The School Team consists of at least 5 students and at least one staff member.

          The School Team decides on the process of creating their Book of Voices, including the time frame for completion (preferably in early 2007); presentation to the administration for approval; presentation to students and staff; inviting a speaker who will provide at least some Holocaust education, if the school does not already have such a program; inviting student essays, poetry, photography and artwork; the content and layout of the Book of Voices; arranging inclusion of letters, signatures and optional notarization; making two or more copies of the Book of Voices; sending two copies to the designated collection center.

For more information contact:

          Dr. Norman L. Weinberg, Executive Coordinator
          Poland Jewish Cemeteries Restoration Project
          nweinberg@roadrunner.com
          www.pjcrp.org
          Tel. 716-688-5272