some general goals

Holocaust education has become widespread in schools and education centers. It has the potential to benefit many people:

1. To see the evil (destructiveness) human beings are capable of; understand its sources, where it comes from; see the potential for it in each of us; see the human potential and their own potential for goodness.

2. To develop the capacity to see what around us (in the characteristics of culture, society, people's actions) may promote human destructiveness and what is required by us to promote goodness rather than evil in ourselves and society.

3. To become aware of their potential as bystanders and perpetrators, as well as helpers, and of how they actually act in the world.

4. To help Jews – survivors, descendants, members of the group targeted in the Holocaust – as well as members of other groups that suffered violence against them, and people in general, become aware of their suffering and pain, which is part of the life of many people, adults and children. Holocaust education can also help with healing, and with opening up to other people's suffering and need.

5. To become aware of the difference they can make in the world, the choices they can make in their own lives.

Many people within and outside the Jewish community may become interested in and open to education about the Holocaust if it is made relevant to their own lives. What happened in the Holocaust, its origins and human consequences, has profound relevance to many aspects of contemporary life.