Reflecting on Past and Present Social Issues: Holocaust Impact Theater at 20

For 20 years, Holocaust Impact Theater (HIT), a program of the Alper JCC Miami, has been dedicated to showcasing Holocaust remembrance and awareness through impactful plays. HIT is a unique theater program open to local high school students. In this program, students are tasked with writing, producing, performing and directing their own original play surrounding modern day issues of social intolerance and injustice while reflecting on stories of The Holocaust and its survivors.

“Each play teaches lessons of The Holocaust and refers to these stories to better understand why we still have hate, stereotyping, racial and religious discrimination, ethnic profiling, bullying, etc.” said Ruth Gordon, founder of HIT, “We allow students to have creative freedom in every aspect of the development of each year’s show.” Ruth, along with her husband Ira, have been involved with HIT since inception in 2004.

This year, after many hours of hard work and dedication, the writers and directors of HIT have created a play entitled LINKED, which will be performed in The Robert Russell Theater at the Alper JCC Miami on Thursday, March 6 at 7 p.m. and Saturday, March 8 at 7 p.m. and as a Sunday matinee on March 9 at 2 p.m. LINKED pays homage to the end of The Holocaust 80 years ago and links topics from the past to similar stories and issues in more recent times.

“What is most powerful is the way these skits bring history to life in a way that resonates emotionally and intellectually with audiences,” said Karyn Cunningham Mayor of the Village of Palmetto Bay, “The production makes you stop and think and hopefully take those thoughts and turn them into actions against hate in our community.”

As a freshman who has been following the mission of HIT for many years, it is truly an honor to be a part of this community for the first time this year. During HIT, I learned the importance of having a voice, standing up for what is right, and reflecting on the past. Throughout the journey of writing LINKED, I as well as the other writers, discussed important topics and had eye-opening conversations.

“As a young Jew, HIT has made me committed to bringing awareness to social injustices in the world,” said Shaina Granja, freshman at Coral Reef Senior High School and writer for HIT.

For the actors of HIT, who attend a variety of local high schools, it provides a creative outlet and opportunity to address important social issues. Many members of the cast are first time actors willing to step out of their comfort zone to educate and engage with a broader audience.

“I joined HIT because I wanted to find a way to engage with my community in a way that I hadn’t done before,” said Eitan Greenberg, senior at Palmetto Senior High School and actor for HIT.

Students who participate as writers, actors, or as a part of the technical crew, are awarded 150 community service hours after completing their final show. For me, the community service hours are a bonus: the experience and lessons learned during this incredible journey are priceless.

“By participating in community service organizations like Holocaust Impact Theater, high school students not only deepen their understanding of history, but learn the values of compassion, resilience, and active citizenship, empowering them to make a positive difference in their communities and beyond, and to share their insights with others,” said Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniela Levine Cava.

As HIT continues on, its success depends on the people supporting it. Whether it is buying a ticket and attending one of the LINKED shows or applying to participate in a future year, HIT will always have a place for anyone willing to stand up and fight for what’s right.

Follow Holocaust Impact Theater on Instagram @holocaustimpactmiami for ticket release updates and other information. Tickets are available on the Alper JCC Miami website alperjcc.org/HIT.

Natalia Quick, Freshman

Coral Gables Senior High School