Learn to Tell Stories of the Holocaust
Become both a Custodian and a Messenger of Memory
Do you have a family story of the Holocaust? Do you tell Holocaust stories while leading tours? Do you teach the Holocaust? Have you heard or read a Holocaust story that touched you? Let us guide you in the sacred task of sharing a story of someone who experienced the Holocaust.
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From Testimony to Story
An Introduction to Holocaust storytelling
Learn to craft a compelling story from a testimony or other primary source.
Our signature six-week (12 hour) course was specifically created to support the new generations now standing up in witness to the Holocaust.
From Story to Program
Advanced training in Holocaust storytelling
Deepen your story with history and imagery and learn to match your story to your audience’s needs.
Our 4-week advanced class was specifically created to support our graduates from our beginner course to further develop their Holocaust stories.
Individual Coaching
Personalized Guidance
Get one-on-one coaching from one of our professional storytelling coaches.
Our wonderful, compassionate coaches will guide you with appreciations and suggestions to make your story as smooth and powerful as possible.
NEW!! Storyteller Certification
Everything you need to bring your story to the world
The Holocaust Storyteller Certification Program offers comprehensive training in testimony-based storytelling skills, Holocaust history, program facilitation, and soft marketing techniques utilizing available resources.
What will we do when there are no more survivors to tell the stories?
We will have to tell Their Stories in Our Voices.
You Have Questions…
Learning to be a Storyteller
Am I going to have to write a speech?
No. Storytelling is different from speechwriting. In our workshops, you will not be writing a story down. You will be learning to tell a story as if it were your own, whether you tell it in first person or third. It is this authentic telling-from-the-heart that makes storytelling so powerful.
What if I’m too shy to be a storyteller?
Many people are nervous starting out. For this reason, we do most of our practicing in partners. With just one other person listening, there’s less pressure to be perfect. In addition, you won’t start with a complete story. You’ll start with an image and a moment, and then slowly learn to wind your story around those.
Do I have to tell the story in first person?
Absolutely not. Many of our storytellers do use first person, which can be a powerful way to present a story. But many of our storytellers use third person. How you tell your story is entirely up to you. We may ask you to try out a technique, such as telling in first person, as an exercise in a workshop, but when you present your story, you choose the perspective you use.
Choosing and Telling Your Story
My mother/father was a survivor. I know it needs to be told, so it isn’t forgotten, but how can I tell their story when I find it so upsetting?
Recognize that your own story is part of the story of the Holocaust. Your childhood experiences reflect the Holocaust experiences of your parent(s). When we work with children of survivors, we often start by helping them tell their own stories. Often, telling your own story can help you work up to being able to tell your parent’s.
What if I don’t have a story to tell?
There are many places you can find stories to tell. Here are a few:
Video Testimonies:
- USHMM archive
- Goucher College archive from the Oral History of Holocaust Survivor’s Course
- Yiddish Book Center
- Yale University archives
- The Shoah Foundation
Books and Diaries:
There are many memoirs and diaries you can offer your students. Here are two collections that may be helpful.
Where can I tell my story?
There are many places to present your story. Your local school or library would be thrilled to have you come present to them. A good place to start is to present for us, either at an ETS workshop or an STS program. If you work with us to become a confident storyteller, we will help you find venues to share your story.
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