Past participants reflecting on their experience
Here is what some of our past participants had to say about their TMP experience.
The trip to Washington DC was mind-blowing. I loved hearing from all the speakers and seeing the exhibits at both museums. I think it was very inspiring to hear from all these people of various origins, yet fighting for the same goal.
Ezra Horowitz
Adelphi University
The Two Museums Program (TMP) trip to Washington, D.C., was a transformative experience that deepened my understanding of history, empathy, and the importance of leadership in combating hatred and injustice. Visiting the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum and the National Museum of African American History and Culture was very inspiring and a reminder of the consequences of prejudice, antisemitism, racism, and all forms of hatred. These museums not only
educated me about the past, but also inspired me to reflect on my role as a leader in creating a more
inclusive future.
educated me about the past, but also inspired me to reflect on my role as a leader in creating a more
inclusive future.
Celestin Shany
Adelphi University
After returning from Washington, DC and sitting with my experience during the Two Museums Program to let everything I felt and learned consolidate, I am very thankful for the experience and opportunity. I want to extend my gratitude to those who took their time and money to help organize and make this experience possible. The Two Museums trip (and class in my case) has given me the opportunity to foster community on and off Adelphi’s campus within my own community and within the Jewish community. It is very inspiring and motivating to be surrounded by so many people who want to and are determined to
work towards change, not just for themselves but also for those around them, like me.
work towards change, not just for themselves but also for those around them, like me.
Octavia Simon
Adelphi University
Returning from the TMP experience in Washington, D.C., I am filled with gratitude for the opportunity to participate in such a meaningful program. The experience provided me with a deeper understanding of the shared histories and struggles of both the Black and Jewish communities, as well as the necessity of engaging in difficult yet essential conversations about combating hate and fostering unity. One of the most significant takeaways from this experience was recognizing the power of leadership in addressing injustice. As a leader, it is crucial to advocate for equity, ensure diverse voices are heard, and create spaces where all identities are acknowledged with the same depth and care. This experience reinforced my commitment to being an active agent of change, using my leadership skills to elevatemarginalized voices and challenge systemic biases. Moving forward, I will leverage these skills by advocating for more inclusive educational programs and ensuring that diverse narratives are represented in academic and community discussions.
Dereje Faeven
George Mason University
From this experience, I gained not only a new understanding of intersectionality but solid proof of it through deep connections with the people I interacted with. The Two Museums program, as I later came to realize, was an opportunity to break down intercultural barriers and form meaningful and productive partnerships just within the span of three days. Facilitating open, respectful discussions and reflections on what we saw was a key part in forming these connections. After discovering what our ideologies and passions had in common, we could much more quickly form an understanding and support
each other in our respective journeys to influence the world. The Two Museums program gave me a newfound motivation to seek out new connections wherever I go.
each other in our respective journeys to influence the world. The Two Museums program gave me a newfound motivation to seek out new connections wherever I go.
Dora Capobianco
Harvard University
One thing that I gained through this program was that I learned more about the history of Black-Jewish cooperation during the Civil Rights era. Knowing more about this shared history will allow me to better relate to others in the future and also permit me to share my new knowledge so that I may help other Black and Jewish students understand one another better.
Nina Jasanoff
Harvard University
Through this initiative, I gained a deeper understanding of the history of African American-Jewish relations in the United States and how to discuss the grayer aspects of this history with others. The most impactful aspect of this trip was visiting the National Museum of African American History and Culture. I had never been there before, and through reading the plaques and interacting with the exhibits, I gained a greater understanding of the experiences of Africans being sold into slavery and shipped to the U.S through the Middle Passage. An artifact I found particularly striking in a different exhibit in the museum was an advertisement for kosher shortening featuring a Mammy characterization of an African American woman saying, “Ain’t no Hog Fat in dis Pie.” This reminded me how entrenched racist characterizations of African Americans were in even Jewish circles. My interpersonal skills were enhanced through this trip, and I enjoyed getting to know and be inspired by the students from other universities! I would recommend the Two Museums Program to others, and I hope that you allow future Harvard students to participate. The speaker’s list was phenomenal, and although they were rather packed days, I enjoyed it immensely, with every experience serving a specific purpose to provide a new perspective on an aspect of history.
Sarah Silverman
Harvard University
It is difficult to put into words how much of an impact this program had on me. Upon returning from the Two Museums Program, I was left with a longing for more. I wish we had more time to dive deeper into some of the topics that we talked about including the relationship between the black and Jewish communities, as well as more on other genocides throughout history and what caused them. Such as the Cambodian genocide or more on the Rowanden Genocide. I gained so much knowledge that I want to continue to develop. I had so much excitement talking to experts on topics I have been interested in for so many years. An opportunity I will not soon forget. In particular, when I got to listen to Emanuel Mandel, the Holocaust survivor who escaped the Nazis on the Kasztner train. It was an incredible honor to discuss my research paper I wrote about the experience he endured and gather some valuable insights on Kasztner from a first-hand experience. I almost wish I had spoken to him last semester when I was writing my paper.
I also came to realize that the best way to combat antisemitism, racism and all other forms of targeted hatred is to just be around others that aren’t like you. That is why I support this program so much; because it is a perfect demonstration on how to stop future horrific events from happening. After my spring break is over, I plan on reaching out to the other Towson participant to plan an event that brings together Hillel and the Black student union and will hopefully show how much of a shared history we have with each other.
I also came to realize that the best way to combat antisemitism, racism and all other forms of targeted hatred is to just be around others that aren’t like you. That is why I support this program so much; because it is a perfect demonstration on how to stop future horrific events from happening. After my spring break is over, I plan on reaching out to the other Towson participant to plan an event that brings together Hillel and the Black student union and will hopefully show how much of a shared history we have with each other.
Aden Schmall
Towson University
The Two Museums Program experience was an experience where I was able to join scholars from Virginia State, George Mason, Adelphi, and Harvard University to learn more about different cultures and backgrounds. My favorite part of the experience was being able to meet new people from the East Coast and being able to get a sense of who they are, where they come from, and their struggles. As a psychology student, I find it beautiful how we are similar yet complex because we all act based on pattern-based behavior however, we are different due to our experiences.
What I gained from this program was perspective. There is beauty within perspective. With perspective comes empathy and understanding. I was able to get a better understanding of the Jewish community and become educated on the Holocaust, for that was a topic I was not so educated on. I want to make a positive impact every day with every single person I meet.
Alphonso Faltz
Towson University