Unique Holocaust education programme “In My Pocket” expands to Lithuania

The “In My Pocket” initiative, an innovative Holocaust education programme developed in Australia, has now extended to Lithuania.

Third-grade pupils at the Sholom Aleichem ORT School in Vilnius participated in an interactive virtual session broadcast from Perth.

Facilitated by project creators Eli and Jill Rabinowitz, the session highlighted the experiences of Dorrith Sim, a young Jewish girl who escaped Nazi-occupied Germany via the Kindertransport in July 1939. At age seven, she travelled alone to Scotland, where she adapted to a new life amid uncertainty.

Eli Rabinowitz emphasised that the programme introduces complex historical topics accessibly for young learners. “We prioritise concepts like empathy, kindness, and inclusion, which resonate with children’s everyday experiences,” he explained.

Centred on Sim’s illustrated memoir, the project uses the motif of cherished items she carried during her escape to convey themes of displacement and resilience. It serves as an introductory framework for future in-depth Holocaust studies, avoiding graphic elements.

“Kids walk out after two hours feeling really good about it because we don’t delve into the horror, although we do mention when we get to a certain point in the story that her parents unfortunately didn’t make it,” Eli Rabinowitz told JWire.

“This approach centres on a single child’s narrative, illustrating how compassionate actions can profoundly influence someone’s future,” Rabinowitz noted.

As in other countries, at the Vilnius event, participants engaged with the story, posed enquiries, and completed a hands-on art exercise. Books were distributed to each child, courtesy of the German Embassy in Canberra and Perth’s WE ARE HERE! Foundation.

Rabinowitz highlighted the programme’s broadening appeal, driven by educators seeking gentle entry points to sensitive discussions. “It equips teachers with tools to initiate these talks early, without causing distress.”

Initially rolled out nationwide in Australia in 2023, the programme reached South Africa later that year. Within Australia, it has been embraced by a range of Jewish and non-Jewish schools, predominantly through two-hour sessions featuring story readings and creative art activities.

Recent expansions include Lithuania, Mexico, Latvia, and New Zealand, with ongoing support from World ORT, which serves over 350,000 students in more than 40 nations.

Notable participants include Sydney institutions such as Moriah College (which has hosted it multiple times and integrated it into Year 6 heritage studies by August 2025), Emanuel School, Masada College, Mount Sinai College, and Kesser Torah College.

In Melbourne, King David School has been a strong adopter, running sessions independently after initial Zoom training. Perth’s Carmel School has conducted the program three times, including a special session for teachers, while Aveley Primary School in Western Australia hosted an event in May 2024.

Additional collaborations extend to government, Catholic, and Anglican schools across states, reflecting its multicultural appeal.

“In every country, the response from students is the same. They understand the ideas of fairness and compassion immediately. That gives us hope,” Eli Rabinowitz told JWire. Interest for the programme has also been expressed in the United States, with discussions continuing.

Through Sim’s real-life account of perseverance and optimism, “In My Pocket” encourages young audiences to connect historical events with contemporary refugee issues, fostering awareness of human rights and social justice.

Funding continues from diverse sources, including German diplomatic offices in Australia and New Zealand, local councils in Western Australia, and organisations like the Goethe Institute.

The WE ARE HERE! Foundation, led by Eli and Jill Rabinowitz, remains committed to promoting upstander principles globally through accessible educational tools.

 

For more on “In My Pocket”, click here: https://elirab.au