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During this workshop, we will explore everyday Jewish life in occupied France through the intimate lens of the Lichtenstein family’s private archive. Drawing on Nicole Tödtli’s work with the family’s surviving daughter, Edith, we will examine a collection of letters, documents, and personal papers that reveal how one family navigated separation, uncertainty, and persecution under Nazi rule during World War II. At the heart of the archive are letters exchanged between Edith’s mother and her father while he was detained in an internment camp as an enemy alien, offering a rare insight into communication under constraint, and the fragility of family life during war. By bringing these materials into conversation with broader histories of the Holocaust in France, the event highlights how family archives can illuminate the lived experience of occupation, transforming personal memory into a powerful form of historical testimony.

Educators will leave with practical strategies and adaptable resources for incorporating personal testimonies, family archives, and microhistorical approaches into Holocaust and World War II education. Through engagement with the Lichtenstein family archive, participants will gain new perspectives on everyday Jewish life in occupied France and explore how personal narratives can deepen students’ historical understanding, critical thinking, and empathy. This workshop will be facilitated by Nicole Tödtli and Dr. Sandra Grudić (Coordinator of Educational Outreach).

Learning Outcomes:

Educators who successfully complete this workshop will be able to:

• Describe key aspects of Jewish life in occupied France and the impact of Nazi persecution on families during World War II.
• Analyze how personal letters, documents, and family archives can serve as important forms of historical testimony and evidence.
• Reflect on the value of microhistory and personal narratives in deepening understanding of the Holocaust and wartime experiences.
• Develop strategies for incorporating personal testimonies and archival materials into classroom teaching about the Holocaust and World War II.

Additional Information:

This workshop will take place fully in-person on campus at Keene State. Breakfast, lunch, and workshop materials are provided to participants at no cost. Workshop attendees will receive a certificate of completion listing the number of professional development hours completed. Please note that this workshop is open to all active educators (middle school, high school, and post-secondary). Please direct any questions to coheninstitute.education@keene.edu.

Registration:

There is no cost to attend this workshop; however, space is limited and advanced registration is required. The hard deadline to register for this workshop (if spaces still remain) is 5:00 pm ET on Friday, December 3, 2026.

This event is part of the Cohen Institute calendar.