Struggle Against Forgotten Moments, Uphold and Defend
In the picturesque town of Neuwied, Germany, the Kinzig School has once again taken an active role in preserving history and fostering a culture of remembrance. This time, the students participated in a nationwide action day called "Students Help Life," cleaning Stolpersteine, or stumbling stones, as part of the "School Without Racism - School With Courage" network.
Stolpersteine are small brass plaques embedded in sidewalks, serving as decentralized memorials across Europe, marking the last voluntarily chosen residences of victims of the Holocaust and Nazi persecution. By participating in the cleaning of these memorials, Kinzig School aims to create a personal connection to local history, develop historical consciousness, and promote reflection on human rights and tolerance.
The project, initiated by school social worker Marco Schneider in 2023, saw the 8th grade classes of Kinzig School clean a total of 95 Stolpersteine in the districts of Heddesdorf and the city center. The students' hard work did not go unnoticed, as they received positive feedback from the public for their contribution to remembrance culture.
The project also combined social engagement with historical education, as the students learned about the Holocaust and local Jewish history through direct interaction with remembrance sites. This hands-on approach encouraged critical reflection about the consequences of intolerance and discrimination, promoting a culture of remembrance and responsibility towards history within the community.
In addition to the memorial cleaning, the Kinzig School project made history 'tangible' for the students. A small donation was made as part of the project, with the collected funds supporting disadvantaged children and young people from crisis regions. The school intends to continue cooperation with the German-Israeli Friendship Association in the future, further cementing its commitment to remembrance and social responsibility.
The Kinzig School's involvement in cleaning Stolpersteine is part of a broader educational and commemorative practice aimed at keeping the memory of victims alive, making history tangible and relevant, especially for younger generations. This living remembrance culture is crucial in fostering empathy, understanding, and respect for all, ensuring that the lessons of the past are never forgotten.
The Kinzig School's involvement in cleaning Stolpersteine is an essential part of their education and self-development, as it aims to create a personal connection to local history and promote reflections on human rights and tolerance. By participating in this project, the students are not only learning about the Holocaust and local Jewish history, but they are also developing a sense of social responsibility towards history and cultivating empathy, understanding, and respect for all. This educational and commemorative practice serves as a means to make history tangible and relevant, especially for younger generations, ensuring that the lessons of the past are never forgotten.
