Community Programs

Every Teacher A Leader Conference

The first annual Every Teacher a Leader Summit took place at Colby College on July 30-August 1st. Teachers across Maine came together to build community, attend workshops for and by Maine educators, and grow as leaders. The conference offered workshops centered around leading for innovation, for equity, through relationships, and leading with best practices in the classroom. The HHRC was invited to participate: Education Coordinator Erica Nadelhaft presented Hate Speech in Schools. This program addresses the rise of hate speech and symbols in schools and communities. Using the swastika and the Heil Hitler salute as a case study, the program first discusses the Nazi party’s use of symbols and what they represent in our schools and communities today. The program challenges participants to look at how hate symbols and speech are confronted in their classrooms and to consider the important role that they can play by speaking out. The program also considers the long-term trauma experienced by students who are targeted by hate speech and the important role that educators play in mitigating that harm. The program includes discussion of other types of hate speech frequently encountered in schools, such as racism, anti-LGBTQ+ hate, anti-immigrant hate, ableism, and misogyny. Erica’s presentation sparked a robust discussion.

Special Initiatives for the 40th

As we mark this special anniversary, we are reminded daily of the courage, vision, and perseverance of our founders. Their legacy is one of moral clarity and educational commitment. The oral testimonies they preserved—over 100 hours of eyewitness accounts—continue to anchor our work and inspire new generations. Their belief in the power of education to change the world has never been more relevant.

Dismantling Democracy

We are deepening civic education through the Dismantling Democracy program, developed by HHRC Education Coordinator Erica Nadelhaft. This community-focused offering examines how Hitler and the Nazi Party legally dismantled Germany’s democratic institutions. Through public presentations, panel discussions with historians and scholars, and accessible educational materials, we will explore the importance of safeguarding democratic values and institutions. 

Mindbridge Institute

Building on the founder's legacy of gathering and conversation, we will bring people together to explore how to move through conflict with understanding rather than division. In partnership with theMindbridge Institute,our expanded conversation series delves into how collective issues like book bans, cultural erasure, and extremist ideologies are affecting communities. Through guided practices, real-life scenarios, and psychological insight, we’ll help people navigate these hard conversations with hope.

Witness to History Project

Another initiative continues our mission to connect students with personal testimony through our Witness to History Project. In partnership with the Holocaust Awareness Museum and Education Center, we’re offering presentations by Holocaust survivors, liberators, and resisters—in schools, online, or at the Michael Klahr Center. These firsthand accounts offer important insight into the consequences of hatred, bigotry, and systemic violence.

Dates and registration will be coming soon