“It happened, therefore it can happen again. It can happen, and it can happen everywhere.” - Primo Levi, Auschwitz survivor and writer

As we commemorate the 75th anniversary of the end of WWII, the darkest chapter in human history—a chapter that so many around the world prayed and vowed “Never Again,” we are witnessing an alarming increase in global acts of anti-Semitism, Holocaust denial, racism, and religious intolerance. Oppression, de-legitimization of peoples, and discrimination continue. Many are asking, “Why hasn’t the world learned anything?” “How do we stand by and react as we watch people being killed simply for being African Americans? How do we respond to the bombing of churches and synagogues? How do we allow websites which provide a forum to spread hatred, intolerance and anti-Semitism?” But perhaps the real question should be, “How can we teach our young people not to be bystanders?” How can we change the world through our youth?

We must educate our young people about the Holocaust through programs that will leave an everlasting impact. It will be these young people, our future leaders, who will pass on the stories of the survivors and their tales of survival. It will be our students who will continue the charge that many survivors received from their parents: “to live, to remember and to tell the world.”

The “Names, Not Numbers©” Oral History Film Documentary Project created 17 years ago, by Tova Rosenberg, transforms the teachings of the Holocaust by taking it beyond traditional classroom walls and turning into an interactive, creative and empowering educational lesson with students Grades 8 through College.

To date, over 6,000 students have successfully interviewed, filmed and edited the testimonies of over 2,500 survivors and WWII veterans, throughout the US, Canada and Israel. The 400 documentary films produced by the project have been viewed by over 70,000 people.

This compelling and timely film follows the experience of a dynamic group of students from the Greater Miami area who participated in this one-of-a-kind interactive oral history film project. Immersed in this unique educational experience, the students interviewed local survivors and documented their memories, stories, and lessons from the Holocaust as they learned interviewing techniques, documentary filmmaking and editing skills from journalists, filmmakers, and history teachers.

This remarkable film takes you on a life-changing journey alongside the students who participated in this landmark educational initiative. In the words of one of the Miami public school student participants:

“Understanding history, respect for humanity and intolerance of hate are timeless lessons. We are grateful to have had the opportunity to learn directly from living survivors. As young students and the future leaders of tomorrow we need to continue to share a story that can NOT be forgotten and we must make sure an event like this NEVER happens again. Our lessons today are the hope for tomorrow's world.”

Today this program is furnishing young people with the proper tools to succeed in education and in life. Perhaps more than anything, this one-of-a-kind program provides the tool of knowing what apathy and silence can do to humanity when morality goes astray.

The documentaries that the students created becomes a permanent part of Holocaust Museums and major academic institutions. By sharing their personal stories and reflections, the survivors forged lasting relationships with the students and offer the possibility of a better tomorrow.