Classrooms Without Borders Book Club Facilitated by Dr. Josh Andy

2025 Classrooms Without Borders Book Club

Facilitated by Dr. Josh Andy

First Selection:
Empire of Rags and Bones: Waste and War in Nazi Germany
By Anne Berg

Classrooms Without Borders is excited to return to our Book Clubs with Dr. Josh Andy, an esteemed educator and Holocaust scholar, whose passion for genocide education and Jewish history has inspired countless students and community members.

Our first book of 2025, Empire of Rags and Bones: Waste and War in Nazi Germany by Anne Berg, examines the intersection of resource management, war, and ideology under the Nazi regime. Berg’s groundbreaking research sheds light on how waste and exploitation became instruments of power, offering a unique perspective on the Holocaust and the environmental, social, and political dimensions of Nazi policies. This critical work invites readers to explore the interconnectedness of history, humanity, and sustainability, making it an essential read for those committed to understanding the deeper implications of one of history’s darkest periods.

About Dr. Josh Andy:
Dr. Andy is a passionate and accomplished educator whose journey into Holocaust education and Jewish history is both inspiring and unique. A member of the 2024 class of Righteous Among the Neighbors honorees—an award founded by the Holocaust Center of Pittsburgh to recognize allies combating antisemitism—Dr. Andy is deeply committed to raising awareness about genocide and fostering understanding.

While pursuing his doctorate in Russian and Eastern European history at the University of Birmingham, England, Dr. Andy discovered a profound personal and academic connection to Jewish history and culture. This journey deepened when a DNA test revealed his own Eastern European Jewish ancestry, further enriching his commitment to Holocaust education.

Since earning his doctorate in 2011, Dr. Andy has been teaching at Winchester Thurston School, where he leads a groundbreaking course on genocide with a strong emphasis on the Holocaust. He brings a vibrant and humanizing approach to his teaching by highlighting Jewish life before the Holocaust, emphasizing resilience, culture, and community. His curriculum evolves each year, shaped by the passions and interests of his students.

Why Join?

• Participate in meaningful, expert-led discussions that delve into important historical works.
• Explore the Holocaust and its lessons through the lens of environmental, cultural, and political history.
• Connect with a community of learners who are passionate about education, dialogue, and understanding.

Details:

• Date: First session begins February 17, 2025
• Time: 4pm
• Location: Via ZOOM

Don’t miss this opportunity to engage with a powerful work of literature and join Dr. Andy on an inspiring intellectual journey. Stay tuned for more details and registration information!

We are hopeful to bring the Author in for a discussion at a later date!