About Bridges of Understanding
We are an organization based in Los Angeles that is comprised of students from across the country. We believe that the power of storytelling can bring people together. Our student representatives operate on local levels to highlight stories from underrepresented groups with original documentaries, live presentations, and curricular worksheets. These resources are made from scratch to carry on what Emil and Eva Hecht started when they fought to spread Holocaust awareness. Everyday, the number of Holocaust survivors comes closer to zero. Our goal is to continue telling their stories and to make Holocaust education a regular part of the preparatory school curriculum.
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"It used to be that miners would take a canary in a cage down into the mine shaft with them because when the oxygen would drop dangerously low, the canary would die. The birds served as an advance warning of danger.
The Jewish people are the canary birds of history. One third of the entire Jewish population of the world, 6 million Jewish people, including one and a half million children perished in the most cruel and sadistic way. And the remaining 2/3rds were not killed only because they remained outside the Nazis reach. But, in the end, as a result of the war that could and should have been stopped, an estimated 50 million people in all lost their lives. And this is why I am here tonight telling my story. "
- Emil Hecht
This organization was created in loving memory of Emil and Eva Hecht.
May their memories forever be a blessing.