Pittsburgh, PA – The Fall 2024 issue of Duquesne University Magazine features a powerful article on the Poland Personally program, which brings educators to the heart of Holocaust history to deepen their understanding of its impact. The article highlights the experiences of participants, including Duquesne University board member Bob Mallet, who has taken the transformative journey twice through Classrooms Without Borders (CWB).
Each night in Poland, after a day of confronting the unthinkable horrors of the Holocaust, the group would gather for emotional reflections. For Mallet, a non-religious Jew who initially found the group therapy-style reflections uncomfortable, it became an essential part of the journey. “The only way you could even close your eyes at night was to emote something you saw during the day,” Mallet shared.
The article also delves into the personal connection Mallet feels toward Duquesne, a university that supported his father, Louis D. Mallet, B’40, during tough times with a unique tuition plan and work-study opportunities. This legacy of support inspired Bob Mallet’s commitment to bringing the Poland Personally experience to others, particularly Duquesne faculty and students.
Through this program, CWB continues to bring educators from around the country to visit historical sites such as concentration camps, ghettos, and Jewish cemeteries. Participants like Mallet, Blair, and Mitcham return home with a commitment to educating their communities and sustaining Holocaust education initiatives.
For more information on the article, visit Duquesne University Magazine Fall 2024 issue.
About Classrooms Without Borders (CWB):
Classrooms Without Borders (CWB) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing transformative educational experiences focused on the Holocaust and human rights. Through immersive study seminars and community programs, CWB empowers educators to share the lessons of history and inspire future generations to combat hate and intolerance.