The goal of this lesson is to connect a tragic massacre of the past with one that is more current in the Tree of Life Massacre. Not only will students see that tragedy is an ongoing issue when communities do not value their diversity but they will also see how communities need to come together to prevent and repair. By looking at the Kielce massacre in the 1946 Poland students will see how the community did not reconcile or deal with the massacre till after 40 years. That has left a fractured community that is still healing from their wounds. Students will also see how Pittsburgh rallied in the aftermath of the Tree of Life Shooting and they will brainstorm ways that communities can be healed and reconciles.
Deborah Kruger is a history educator at Butler County Community College.
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Suggested Technology: Computer for Presenter, Projector, Cellular phones for students, Internet Connection, Speakers/Headphones
Instructional Time: 5 hours.