On June 11, CCIP J-1 interns (www.theccip.com) visited the Kupferberg Holocaust Center (KHC) for the first time. Operated by and located on the campus of Queensborough Community College, the center houses historical documents, books, and audio-visual materials to serve as a "learning laboratory" for the school and the community.
The interns were given a rare opportunity to visit the center on a weekend, attending a special exhibit entitled "The Jacket From Dachau: One Survivor's Search for Justice, Identity, and Home." Through historical photos, maps, and first-person testimonies, the exhibit tells the story of one man's immigration to the US after surviving imprisonment in a concentration camp.
"There are parts of history that are hard to understand," one of the student leaders said. "I'm grateful that the center gave us a chance to see this exhibit – it was eye-opening."
After the group toured the exhibit, they had a luncheon with Marc Haken and Harbachan Singh, two CCIP advisors who both have longstanding relationships with the program and are active in the community.
Mr. Haken serves on numerous boards throughout Queens and has devoted his life to building bridges between cultures. Mr. Singh is the former president of the Queens Civic Congress and the founder of the Sikh American Friendship Foundation, and he serves on the Advisory Board for the Kupferberg Holocaust Center.
During the meal, the two advisors discussed a wide range of topics as the two men shared their years of experience and wisdom. "I really appreciate Mr. Haken and Mr. Harbachan speaking with us," said another of the student leaders. "They offered insights into parts of New York City as well as the Jewish community that I knew nothing about before."
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