NEVER AGAIN BEGINS IN THE CLASSROOM
The Olga Lengyel Institute (TOLI) provides professional development seminars for educators in the US and abroad that link the lessons of the Holocaust and other genocides to current world events, thereby working with teachers to promote a human rights and social justice agenda in their classrooms.
BRINGING LESSONS OF THE HOLOCAUST TO THE CLASSROOM
TOLI in US and Europe
United States
Fifteen professional development seminars for educators – the most ever in a year – will be held across the US in 2020 with three new cities joining the TOLI network: Baton Rouge, La, Tempe, AZ, Tulsa, Okla, and Ligonier, Ind. Our flagship seminar in NYC, bringing 25 educators from throughout the US for intensive training in Holocaust education, will take place from June 20 – July 1.
“The growth in TOLI’s programs is tribute to our exceptional staff, teachers, and request for support by educators in the face of escalating anti-Semitism and racism”, said David Field, Chairman TOLI in announcing the schedule. Continue to US Programs in 2020.
Europe
Nine European countries will host TOLI Holocaust education seminars for teachers in 2020. Latvia will be joining the other countries where TOLI has held annual seminars in Europe: Portugal, Poland, Bulgaria, Romania, Ukraine, Lithuania, Italy and Greece. “We view Europe, where the Holocaust took place and today knowledge about the Nazi genocide is much diminished, as an important priority for TOLI,” said Mark Berez, President of the Board. There are also plans to hold a seminar in Mexico City. For more information, see International Programs in 2020.
Announcing New TOLI Art Exhibit in Memory of Kathy Carlisle
TOLI has established a student art exhibit in memory of Kathy Carlisle, a beloved TOLI teacher from Sacramento, California. Kathy was a high school art teacher, photographer, and painter who was dedicated to illuminating the lessons of the Holocaust through her art and the art of her students. Her powerful work is a testament to her artistry and love of teaching, and has inspired our new TOLI art exhibit in her memory.
We are inviting all TOLI graduates of our domestic and international seminars to submit photographs of their students’ artwork to reflect what they have learned about the Holocaust. We will begin highlighting the art through the month of February and will continue throughout the spring semester. Representations of the students’ art work will be shown on TOLI’s website, and featured in related media – Facebook, Instagram and We will also offer the artwork to local newspapers and community media to honor student voices and ideas and to keep Kathy’s memory alive. Submit artwork here
TOLI in the News
Newsday- UN to mark 75th anniversary of Auschwitz liberation
“We believe that education is the most important thing to prevent these types of holocausts in the future,” said Mark Berez of Dix Hills, who serves as president of The […continue]
New York Jewish Week- ‘Never Again’ Begins in the Classroom
This Monday marks the 75th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz. The timing of this important event coincides with an unprecedented escalation of anti-Semitism. From Pittsburgh to Paris, the killing of […continue]
Mini-Grants
Graduates of TOLI Summer Seminars are eligible to apply for mini-grants to support projects in their classrooms, their schools, and their communities. Grants are awarded to support a wide variety of classroom work, visits by Holocaust survivors, field trips to Holocaust centers and other relevant sites, and extended programming and community outreach that bring Holocaust and social justice education to wider audiences.
Learn about Mini-Grants
Euro-Grants
Graduates of our summer seminars in Europe are eligible to apply for mini-grants of up to $300 for projects in their classrooms, their schools, and their communities. These grants have been used to support teaching students about the Holocaust, human rights, Jewish life in their country or community, discrimination, tolerance, and respect for diversity.
Learn about Euro-GrantsSatellite Programs
The Satellite Seminars bring TOLI programs to teachers across the country. These five-day seminars are designed to provide a collaborative and safe environment in which teachers can explore the difficult subject of the Holocaust and other genocides. While each Satellite focuses on local issues, the overall goal is for teachers in all of the Satellites to leave with strategies, materials, and ideas for use in their own classrooms. One long-term goal is for teachers to become advocates for social change and to return to their classrooms with action plans that will enable them and their students to have a positive impact on their communities.
Satellite Locations
- Tempe, Arizona
- Sacramento, California
- Ligonier, Indiana
- Baton Rouge, Louisiana
- Salisbury, Maryland
- Farmington Hills, Michigan
- Saint Cloud, Minnesota
- Jackson, Mississippi
- Billings, Montana
- Albuquerque, New Mexico
- Charlotte, North Carolina
- Tulsa, Oklahoma
- Portland, Oregon
- Sterling, Virginia
- Milwaukee (Fox Point), Wisconsin
International Programs
TOLI has been steadily expanding its reach overseas after identifying a critical need to support teachers in Europe. Since 2012, TOLI has been providing important resources to European educators with limited or no access to the tools they need to engage students in the study of the Holocaust and social justice issues.