Texas’ second annual Holocaust Remembrance Week takes place January 25–29, 2021, with International Holocaust Remembrance Day falling on January 27, the date the concentration camp Auschwitz was liberated by Allied troops. 

Taking time to learn about and understand the Holocaust has grown increasingly important. In May 2020, the Anti-Defamation League released a report that found that anti-Semitic incidents hit an all-time high in 2019. Images and videos from the pro-President Donald Trump insurrection at the U.S. Capitol January 6 showed an alarming amount of anti-Semitic symbols and sentiment. 

In Texas, thanks to a bill passed by the 86th Legislature, the governor’s office has designated the week of January 27 as Holocaust Remembrance Week in all Texas public schools and instructs the Texas Holocaust and Genocide Commission (THGC) to develop or approve materials to be used for that week. All public schools must provide age-appropriate instruction using materials developed by the THGC.

THGC encourages school districts to observe Holocaust Remembrance Week by selecting from any of the resources listed/linked on the THGC webpage, including best practices, definitions of important terms, lesson plans, and readings. Educators can also request a THGC staff member to speak to their school or classroom by filling out this form. 

Additionally, THGC is now accepting applications for the fifth annual Dr. Anna Steinberger Outstanding Texas Educator Award. Click here for full details and to apply.

Texas is also home to four Holocaust museums:

• Holocaust Museum Houston
• Dallas Holocaust and Human Rights Museum
• Holocaust Memorial Museum of San Antonio
• El Paso Holocaust Museum & Study Center

The United States Holocaust Memorial Museum website also has several resources specifically for teachers, students, and an online exhibition. 

THGC’s mission is “to bring awareness of the Holocaust and other genocides to Texas students, educators, and the general public by ensuring availability of resources, and in doing so imbue in individuals a sense of responsibility to uphold human value and inspire citizens in the prevention of future atrocities.” 

ATPE hopes you will join us in observing this week.


This article originally appeared in the ATPE Blog at https://www.atpe.org/en/News/ATPE-Blog/2021/January-2021/Statewide-Holocaust-Remembrance-Week