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District Administrator Rock visits Holocaust exhibition: Young people learn history!
On September 2nd, District Administrator Frank Rock visited the traveling exhibition “Some Were Neighbors” in Bergheim, which focuses on the Holocaust.
District Administrator Rock visits Holocaust exhibition: Young people learn history!
The traveling exhibition “Some Were Neighbors” has opened its doors in the heart of Bergheim-Zieverich. The initiator of this impressive show is the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum, which impressively addresses the role of society during National Socialism. On September 2nd, District Administrator Frank Rock visited the exhibition together with students from the Bergheim vocational college and took the time to reflect on the importance of democratic values.
“It is of great importance that our young people understand the historical responsibility that comes with dealing with the past,” emphasized Rock. The exhibition is not only part of the remembrance work, but also part of the extremism prevention work of the police in the Rhein-Erft district. It is aimed primarily at police officers and students in order to teach them about shared responsibility, looking the other way and moral courage.
Insights into the exhibition
Several school classes have already been able to visit the exhibition, which captivates viewers with impressive images and biographical stories. The last day of the visit was a tour with a vocational school class from Bergheim, in which District Administrator Rock also took part. In a guided tour lasting around an hour, the participants were introduced to the discussion of the culture of remembrance and the values of democracy.
But why is it so important to look at these issues right now? The occasion is depressing: After the right-wing extremist attack in Halle in October 2019 and the most recent act of terrorism in connection with the war following the Hamas attack on October 7, 2023, anti-Semitism has exposed its driving forces not only in Germany but worldwide. Anti-Semitic hatred and hate speech are omnipresent – both online and in the real world.
Anti-Semitism and its dangers
The developments show it clearly: people from different spectrums are suddenly depriving Israel of its right to exist and everyday anti-Semitism is presenting itself in brutal examples. This form of hatred is not only directed against “the Jews” but poses a serious threat to the entire democracy that is supposed to protect the rights of minorities. This emerges from research by Wochenschau Verlag.
In order to counteract this, the Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) has established the “Current Dynamics and Challenges of Anti-Semitism” funding line since 2020. Over the last four years, studies have been carried out nationwide to better understand the various dimensions, actors and addressees of anti-Semitism.
Scientific responsibility and commitment
The federal government has launched extensive research networks that deal with anti-Semitism in education, media and society. This research is not only a task for the constitutional state, but also requires the commitment of civil society. A look at the BMBF shows how scientists are committed to raising awareness of anti-Semitism and promoting the visibility of Jewish life through education.
Valuable work is being done with projects such as “multiplier training against anti-Semitic hate speech” or research into anti-Semitism in online media. By providing research projects and educational materials, the initiatives aim to help deconstruct anti-Semitic narratives and provide education.
It is up to all of us to address these issues and take an active stand against anti-Semitism. The traveling exhibition in Bergheim offers an important space for this and serves as a reminder that responsibility for the future lies in our hands.