Sophomores Document Holocaust Survivors’ Stories in Names, Not Numbers Project

 By Tali Herbert ‘27 

Earlier this semester, Golda Och's 10th graders had the privilege of participating in Names, Not Numbers, a Holocaust documentary film project that provided them with an opportunity to learn invaluable skills in interviewing, filming and editing. 

Throughout the project, students immersed themselves in the process of creating a documentary, ultimately using their newfound expertise to document the powerful and moving story of their assigned Holocaust survivor. 
This hands-on experience not only deepened their understanding of history but also connected them to the lived experiences of those who endured one of the most harrowing periods in modern history.
In the fall, the program began with an opening ceremony where they heard from Tova Rosenberg, the founder of Names, Not Numbers. This opening ceremony also included the premiere of a 20-minute edited interview, which showcased what the GOA students’ final products will look like. 
Tenth grader Mia Eskin states, “Before the opening ceremony, I was excited for the Names, Not Numbers experience however I had no clue what to expect or what exactly the project would look like. After hearing Mrs. Rosenberg speak and watching previous interviews, I became eager to start the process.” 
Students were also granted the privilege of hearing from Mr. Allan Chernoff, former CNN correspondent, where they were taught interviewing techniques. 
Tenth grader Avi Kutten says, “Mr. Chernoff was able to teach us valuable skills that helped me during the interview to communicate effectively and ask meaningful questions to my survivor.” 
This year, the class was incorporated into the weekly schedules of 10th graders, providing students with the opportunity to explore the Holocaust in greater depth. 
The class, taught by members of the history department  Mrs. Smith and  Mr. Kessler and Holocaust educator  Mrs. Sternthal, was designed to equip students with the knowledge and understanding to properly conduct interviews with Holocaust survivors, ensuring all students were prepared for this powerful and educational experience.
    Interview week began on January 13th where students started by learning filming techniques. Golda Och Academy filmmaker Garret Geary taught the 10th-grade students how to check the audio, properly set up camera angles and establish a problem-free filming process. 
The interview process was deeply powerful, as students had the unique opportunity to listen firsthand to the personal stories of Holocaust survivors. 
Hearing their accounts of survival, and loss left an undeniable  impact on the students, fostering a profound sense of empathy and understanding that extended far beyond the classroom.
The interview week ended with a group discussion on Emunah with Israel educator Rabbi Kallush The grade had the opportunity to discuss faith and decompress from the heaviness that interview week brought them. 
10th grader Paul Raskin states, “It was a very emotional experience interviewing my survivor and the closing ceremony allowed us to all debrief on that emotion we all faced. It was a very well-structured group discussion allowing us to talk about G-d and our faith.” 
In the upcoming weeks, the 10th grade will edit their interviews and put them together into a documentary. 
The film premieres for students, families and survivors, on Tuesday, May 13th, 2025.