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Jarrad Saff ren | Staff Writer
A t the start of the play “Survivors”
on April 20 at Springfi eld Township
High School, Springfi eld Middle School
Principal Zachary Fuller asked students
not to use their phones. He asked. He
did not tell. Nor did he collect the phones
and put them into a box.

It is diffi cult to confi scate a piece of
technology that to 200 middle school
students is more like a limb. But once
the show started, the students heeded
his request.

Throughout the hour-long lesson on
Holocaust history, portraying the stories
of 10 survivors, not a phone was spotted
Theatre Ariel actors perform “Survivors” at Springfi eld Township High
School on April 20.

or heard. The kids looked toward the
stage and paid attention.

“I hope that they walk away with a
greater sense of empathy for all of the
survivors and victims of the Holocaust,”
said Christina Photiades, an English
teacher at Springfi eld Middle School.

Photiades was talking about the
intended lesson for her students. But she
also was describing the goal of the play’s
distributors, Gratz College and Theatre
Ariel. Between April 18 and 28, the
Jewish college and salon theater staged
the show in local school districts, like
Abington, Lower Moreland and Lower
Merion, around the area. Gratz estimated
that 4,000 students saw the play.

A Prayer for the State of Israel
In conjunction with the Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia’s Israel 75 celebrations,
and in light of the current political situation, the Jewish Federation and the Board of Rabbis of
Greater Philadelphia invite you to an evening of prayer and community reflection for the State
of Israel. Please join us via Zoom on May 4 th at 8:00 p.m. for a look back on the history of Israel,
a dedicated poetry reading and song, as well as a space for prayers and personal reflection.

May 4, 2023 | 8:00 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. | via Zoom
Visit israel75.jewishphilly.org/events to learn more
6 APRIL 27, 2023 | JEWISH EXPONENT
Photo by Brad Gellman
As Holocaust Survivors Die,
Gratz and Theatre Ariel Try to
Help Students Remember