Breman Museum Get Involved

become a museum educator

make a difference

Training classes are offered at the Breman to teach museum educator candidates all the "inside" information about the Breman's galleries and special exhibitions so that they will be able to lead exciting, engaging tours for school groups and adults.

Museum educator Shirley Michalove with students during "Not Sold in Stores."

Opportunities to shadow tours are available for those who may want to get more of an idea about what's involved before applying.

For more information, please contact Dr. Liliane Kshensky Baxter at 404-870-1872 or by e-mail.

So, what's so special about being a museum educator?

	"It serves me well as an opportunity to stay connected with young people and of course to do my part in telling the story. It also enables the kids to derive a truer understanding of what happened during the Holocaust, so that they can be vigilant during their lives in recognizing signs which could lead to a repeat, and to act accordingly." —Guenther Hecht

	"We are surely making a difference. We are not only teaching about our Atlanta Jewish Community, the survivors who have helped make this community, the history of the Holocaust, but also about the kind of people we need to be to prevent this from happening to any group again." —Judi Pawliger

	"Being a docent [museum educator] gives me an opportunity to open the eyes, ears, hearts and minds of each child who visits our museum. At the same time, I am learning by listening to comments made, or feelings expressed, by the children. I am able to store invaluable lessons by listening to survivors who share their personal experiences of strength and determination in their effort to survive." —Shirley Brickman

	"Always expect the unexpected! During one of my very first experiences as a docent [museum educator], I led a tour of the Temple 4th grade Sunday school class through the Heritage Gallery. Our first stop was the magnificent stained glass window of the Ten Commandments saved from the wrecking ball at the old Ahavath Achim Synagogue site by Ida Pearle Cuba. Following the guidelines for leading a tour of younger children, I asked them a question: 'Why would Ida Pearle Cuba want to save these windows from destruction?' One of the mothers accompanying the schoolchildren piped up: 'Ida Pearle Cuba was my cousin. She was a packrat. She saved everything!'....... Not quite the answer I expected!" —Michelle Kravtin Gary

	"It was maybe a 6th grader who approached me teary-eyed during a tour. He looked contrite and very sad. He said his parents, grandparents and as far back as he knew were Germans. 'I'm feeling terrible--I don't know what to do. I don't know what to say...' It was a challenging moment for me. The other kids were standing around this young boy in sympathy, eager to see what I had to say. I told him as best I could that it was not he who had done it, but that he had the responsibility to learn and to be a responsible member of the community of humanity. I told him that by being at the Museum and by caring he was already doing something important." —Sara Ghitis

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