Take an unprecedented look inside a pivotal moment in the Holocaust. This online experience from Claims Conference and its partners includes curriculum and instructions for 6th-12th grade classrooms.
#ItStartedWithWords is a survivor-led Holocaust education project, launched by Claims Conference and its partners, in which Holocaust survivors from around the world reflect on the moments leading up to the Holocaust – a time they could not have predicted the transition their neighbors, teachers, classmates and colleagues made from words to violence – that will demonstrate how hateful language can evolve into actions with unimaginable outcomes.
The crematoria, gas chambers in Auschwitz and elsewhere did not begin with bricks;
it began with words…evil words, hateful words, anti-Semitic words, words of prejudice.
And they were permitted to proceed to violence because of the absence of words,
because of silence, because very few people stood up and said ‘no.’
-Abe Foxman, Holocaust survivor
Hate speech and extremist language has been on the rise, in person and online, since 2015. In 2024, it’s easier than ever to share personal perspectives not only within social circles but even globally across social media platforms. With the importance our nation places on freedom of expression, much debate exists about the extent to which abusive, threatening, and prejudiced language should be tolerated and who is responsible when such language influences or emboldens behavior.
How did words of hate help fuel the Holocaust?
Project Prompt
Words are among the most powerful tools we possess as human beings, powerful enough to both destroy and create. Reinforced with fear tactics and propaganda using anti-Semitic words and tropes, these words emboldened some into action and intimidated others into silence. Jews were dehumanized, isolated and discriminated against, paving the way to the unimaginable tragedy of the Holocaust. Learning about the Holocaust provides a profound perspective on the power of words and the inevitable connection between words and human behavior. Guided by what you have learned about the role that words played in the Holocaust, create an art or writing piece that reflects the power of words.
Students may choose from four project options:
Poetry | Prose | 2D Art | Combined 2D Art & Writing
Along with their project,each student will submit an Artist or Author Statement that answers:
In the context of what you’ve learned about the Holocaust, how does your art or writing project reflect the power of words?
Scroll down to the Not Sure Where to Start?section to find
a selection of resources curated specifically for this year's prompt.
In order to ensure all Contest requirements and guidelines are met, it is highly recommended
that students and educators view and/or download the contest documents below.
Browse our collection of engaging and meaningful resources below. We've curated our picks around this year's theme to support students in creating their art and writing projects. Noted by a red asterisk (*), these resources have been locally curated to engage students by West Michigan partners. Students and educators are highly encouraged to use these resources as a foundation for their learning and final projects.
Student Finalists, Prizes and The Henry Pestka Awards Dinner
Student Finalists will be notified in early April 2025.
The top 10 Finalists from each grade will be invited to attend and be recognized at the Henry Pestka Awards Dinner in May of 2025, where the top three finalists in each grade level will be revealed.
The top three finalists from each grade level will additionally qualify to receive a certificate and a cash prize: First Place $150; Second Place $100; and Third Place $50 - generously provided by The Jewish Federation of Grand Rapids, Henry Pestka Holocaust Memorial Endowment Fund.
Finalists will be asked to arrange for their projects to be brought to a designated West Michigan Holocaust Partner location two weeks prior to the event to be curated and displayed in a gallery-style format.
Please note: that eligibility for prizes is based on attendance at the event, and all Finalists who attend will receive recognition and a gift.
Prizes/gifts are not redeemable for cash, non-transferable, and non-substitutable, except at the sole discretion of The West Michigan Holocaust Partnership.
Important Contest Policies
Safe spaces for productive conversation and creative expression are integral to creating meaningful learning experiences. The Henry Pestka Art & Poetry Contest is designed for students who are completing Michigan state education requirements for Holocaust and Genocide Education, enabling them the opportunity to process and reflect on the concepts they learned through writing or art. Learn more about Public Act 170 requiring Michigan students to receive six hours of Holocaust and Genocide Education. Whether intentional or unintentional, entries determined to be in violation of these policies will be disqualified and are not subject to appeal or review.
Appropriate Content Policy:
All entries must contain appropriate content. Content that is aimed to defame, marginalize, discriminate, demean, or infringe on the human dignity of others, living or deceased, is not permitted. Explicit language, violence, hate speech, or sexual content are not permitted in entries. Most related to this contest, Antisemitism, Islamophobia, and Xenophobia can be especially insidious forms of bigotry, presenting in subtle, but harmful ways.
Original Work & AI Policy:
All submitted writing and art projects must be solely the creation of the students’ original thoughts, ideas, expressions, words, reflections and artistic expressions.Plagiarism, a serious academic offense, includes copying words or ideas from someone else without giving credit, the failure to put quotation marks around unmodified content that was copied from an outside source, and the use of photos, graphs, charts, or other images without acknowledging their source.
Additionally, all submitted writing and art projects must be solely the entrant’s original work, and MAY NOT, even partially,originate from AI generation, AI tools, or AI generated sources.This includes, but is not limited to, project components such as images, designs, phrases or summaries from AI platforms, tools, software, filters, libraries etc. Parents and educators may help their student(s) with gathering materials and encouraging project ideas or by supporting and fostering critical thinking and creativity, but all ideas and work must be original to the student(s).
Privacy & Safety Policy:
Entrants are encouraged to use good judgement about what may be shared publicly, and parents, teachers and school advisors are asked to assist by monitoring identifying personal information shared by students in parts of entries that may be posted publicly (full names, school, social media handles, etc.). Additionally, entries containing images or stories of people or organizations (outside of those belonging to the student and that are not already publicly available) MUST provide written consent to be included with the entry form. All parents/guardians must provide consent for students (under the age of 18) to participate and also must sign the media release.
The Pestka Family, in memory of their father and grandfather, Henry Pestka, a Holocaust survivor, is proud to bring Holocaust awareness and education to West Michigan students in grades 6-12 through an art and poetry contest.
Henry Pestka (1919-2013) was born in Ciechanów (Cheh-ha-nouf), Poland. In 1940, at the age of 21, Henry was first sent to Aushchwitz Birkenau, and then on to other camps. While interned in Germany in 1944, Henry escaped with two other prisoners, and hid in a field, near death, until they were found by the Free French Army. After his liberation, Henry joined and served with the Polish Battalion until the war ended.
Of the six members of his family (his mother, father and siblings), Henry was the sole survivor of the Holocaust.
In 1946, Henry immigrated to the United States and settled in Grand Rapids, Michigan, learning English at Union High School and working to build a life for himself. Eventually, he became a real estate developer. Henry and his wife, Beatrice, were married in 1948, raised two children, Steve and Linda, and were proud grandparents to Alissa, Stephanie, and Nathan.
Henry believed strongly in treating everyone with dignity and respect, caring for others, and giving back. He valued education and strong personal character. While the trauma of the Holocaust remained with Henry, he was determined not to let it define him. When asked what message he would like to leave to future generations, Henry said, “To never let anything like this happen to any group of people. To resist hatred and scapegoating.”
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