SHSW's Chelsea Margolis Worked On Holocaust Survivor Documentary

Smithtown High School West student worked on Holocaust survivor documentary

Smithtown High School West 11th grade student Chelsea Margolis is taking part in “Names, Not Numbers,” an innovative documentary film project by the Suffolk Y JCC, in which students share the stories of local Holocaust survivors.Smithtown HS West 11^th grade student Chelsea Margolis is taking part in “Names, Not Numbers,” an innovative documentary film project by the Suffolk Y JCC, in which students share the stories of local Holocaust survivors. The program transforms traditional history lessons by combining Holocaust research with lessons in video production, interviewing techniques and film editing.

“We hear about it on TV, but when you actually speak to the person it’s different,” Chelsea said of the project. “Even if you’re not Jewish it was a great experience to learn about someone’s story.”

Chelsea says she started working on the project last November, meeting and interviewing three Holocaust survivors. 

“The one who stood out the most to me was Rosalie Simon, who was 10 years old during the Holocaust. She taught me to always follow your dreams because she always followed hers….she made me want to learn more about my heritage.”

The film premiere is on Sunday, April 7, at 6 p.m. at the Suffolk Y JCC.     

Photo courtesy of Smithtown CSD