Eva Schloss has share her story and message about peace and good will for nearly two decades in schools, theaters, churches, libraries, prisons and community centers. Her outreach includes Germany, the Netherlands, Latvia, Australia, England, Jersey Island, and states across America...
California
Georgia
Idaho
Illinois
Indiana
Kentucky
Massachusetts
Michigan
Minnesota
Nebraska
North Carolina
New Jersey
New Mexico
New York
Ohio
Oklahoma
Pennsylvania
Tennessee
Texas
Virginia
Wisconsin
Washington
Washington D.C.
Student Activities
Intermediate 5th and 6th grade students at Waverly East in Lansing, Michigan worked on numerous projects related to The Promise in preparation for Eva Schloss’ visit. Poetry,
portraits, story illustration, recitations of story excerpts, dioramas,
questions and reflections, posters, performance of Jewish folk songs,
preparation of Jewish recipes, and further research about the Holocaust. The students also constructed a ‘chain of goodwill,’ an
activity inspired by the theme of the book.
Eva and her brother, Heinz,
shared their fears with Pappy after the Nazi invasion of Holland. They were terrified by stories
of deportations and killings. Pappy spoke the truth about their dangerous
circumstances. He also explained that all the good we do in our lives
carries on, that we are like links in a chain that cannot be broken.
The students listened intently to Eva's sensitive portrayal of her experiences, then shared experiences of their own...their fears, their struggles, their wishes for peace, justice and happiness.
Student comments
about ‘The Promise’ -
‘We now know that it is hard to cope with
death, but if we work together we can get through sad times.’ Brittney B.
‘Look straight and keep your eyes on the goal and you will be fine.
That’s what Heinz’s and Eva’s dad would say to them as advice when they were in
a predicament or situation when they just felt like giving up The moral of the
story is try to listen to your mom or dad or whoever is your guardian because
they usually know a thing or two about that problem you’re having and they will
be able to help you in every step of life.’
Dylan K.
‘Bullying effects everyone,
even if it is verbal or physical abuse, they both cause damage.’ Caleb H.
‘I have never really looked
at what others see in me. If something happens to one of us we all
suffer.’ Kailyn W.
‘Life is to be
cherished. Don’t take one moment, one relationship or one friend for
granted.’ Mike S.
‘Like Eva’s father reminds
her, I am reminded that everything I do leaves something behind. All the
good I have accomplished in my life will continue in the lives of the people I
have touched. I want to be remembered for making a difference to
somebody, somewhere, sometime.’ Brandon
T.
‘The impression you leave
stamped in others’ memory is up to you. Just remember that everything you
do leaves something behind: nothing gets lost.’
Hannah A.
‘I tried not to look at the
steepness of my goal, the hill, just like Eva’s father told her.’ Hannah P.
‘Most importantly the lesson
of this story is to always watch the way you act of what you do around other
people, now matter who they are or how close you are to them.’ Brittany C.
‘The strongest way that this
book inspired me was it taught me how much I should appreciate my parents for
all the things that they do for me and how they do it.’ Brendan W.
‘Just for us to have the time to talk and ask
her advice about her story and just to hear her story. I learned
something from her, that you don’t judge people by their cover.’ Shamena
‘This book, this experience,
has helped me to think about myself in a more sensitive way. I see that I
am a person who is for peace, justice, kindness and patience, yet against
prejudice. I also see that I am wiser than yesterday. The book The
Promise has helped open my eyes.’ Ryan
F.
‘The message the book gave me
was to always be kind and appreciate what I have. I should always be
aware of others and care for them too also to help more people and do more
common good. I couldn’t believe how cruel people could be. I think
it should have impacted other people to accept differences.’ Ronald J.
