The evening consists of three main parts:
Testimony
As long as we have Holocaust survivors who want to share their experiences, we want to hear them. Therefore, we encourage hosts to invite survivors to tell their stories via Zoom. This year, our most important commitment is to protect the health of the Holocaust survivors, as they are the most vulnerable. Thus, Zikaron BaSalon is going to proceed without live testimonials from our survivors.
Because the generation of survivors is fading, we offer the use of recorded or written testimonies. We also invite you to hear second-generation survivor experiences, as well as lectures from experts and academics.
Recorded testimonies
If you are not hosting a speaker, you can find a selection of recorded testimonies here that we have carefully selected so that they can be adapted to any group of participants.
Written testimonies
If you are not hosting a speaker, you can find a selection of written testimonies here that we have carefully selected so that they can be adapted to any group of participants.
Expression
Zikaron BaSalon meets the many different needs of diverse audiences.
In order to move from the testimony to the discussion harmoniously, a transitional stage is necessary to decompress and create a safe, open space for meaningful discussions.
This is done through music and/or the reading of poems and literature, empowering individuals to share their feelings through an artistic lens. This creates the readiness and mutual respect needed to begin an optimal discussion.
Open Discussion
The Holocaust is much more than an historical event. Even today, its ramifications can be felt in many aspects of our world. Each conversation relating to the Holocaust is unique, fascinating and often emotional.
The discussion will be led by the host or by someone they have chosen to lead on their behalf. There is no doubt that leading a discussion can be challenging, so we have prepared kits for you containing diverse content and a discussion guide.
Like any conversation, it is important to maintain a fruitful discussion in an amiable atmosphere and discourage side conversations or off-topic discussions. We recommend that you simulate the conversation you would like to facilitate and try to anticipate the direction in which the conversation will evolve. This will help you to prepare questions that are relevant to the participants. Tips for effective facilitation can be found in the kit.
