Through my four years at de Toledo High School, one class stands out to me, not just for what I learned, but for the impact it left on me.
Ms. Kamenir, a longtime educator at dTHS, has been teaching the Shoah (Holocaust) class for many years. Her inspiration for creating the course comes from a deep place—her roots in South Africa and her commitment to justice and Jewish identity.
“I came from a country where injustice ruled,” Kamenir said, describing her childhood in apartheid South Africa. “As a Jew, I wasn’t targeted because the government had already chosen a different ‘other’–Black South Africans. But that injustice stuck with me.”
Ms. Kaminer felt called to use her Jewish background to make a difference. Even though she didn’t start with much knowledge, she dedicated herself to learning more and bringing that learning into the classroom. Over time, her passion grew, and teaching about the Shoah became her way to connect history, identity, and activism.
When asked if parents were ever concerned about students learning such a heavy topic, she responded clearly: “Never. Parents have always supported this class. As time goes on and fewer survivors are around, it’s even more important to keep these stories alive.”
Looking ahead, Ms. Kamenir urges students to stay proud and active as Jews, especially in college. Her advice? “Join Jewish organizations like Hillel or Chabad. Build a community. And when you face anti-Semitism, don’t get defensive. Speak up, one person at a time. Have civil conversations, armed with the facts you’ve learned.”
She believes that every student can make a difference, step by step. Her biggest hope is that students use what they’ve learned to keep fighting ignorance and hate with knowledge and pride.
The importance of the Shoah class goes beyond just Jewish students. “Genocide is a human tragedy,” she said. “When students understand the Holocaust, they develop empathy. And through empathy, we can teach the world who we are and how much we have to give.”
Ms. Kamenir’s passion is clear: teaching the Shoah isn’t just about remembering the past, it’s about shaping the future.
