This program combines a video presentation and a discussion to enable students to make a personal connection to their study of the Holocaust in a way that will be very meaningful. It is based on the true story of Eva Heyman, a Hungarian-Jewish teenager who dreamt of being a journalist. Eva was killed in Auschwitz on Oct. 17, 1944, one of 1.5 million children murdered in the Holocaust.

The sixty-minute presentation includes a 30-minute screening of the video that tells Eva’s story via Instagram. This is followed by a 30-minute discussion. The discussion provides an opportunity for students to ask questions about the Holocaust, discuss the relevance of the Holocaust for today and draw universal lessons of the Holocaust.

Omer Karavani

Omer Karavani is the Israeli emissary to the Jewish Federation of St. Joseph Valley. He is 23 years old, and was born and raised in Ashkelon, Israel, a coastal city, about a one-hour drive south of Tel Aviv. It is located eight miles from the border with Gaza.

Before his mandatory service in the Israeli army, out of motivation to serve his country, Omer decided to do a gap year of volunteer service. He worked in Jerusalem in underserved communities with children and the elderly.  

In August 2019 he joined the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) to be a combat soldier in the Artillery Corps and served for almost three years.

Omer’s family story represents the diversity of the Jewish people. His family came from Iraq, Romania and Yemen.