HOL 6577 The Holocaust in Greece & the Balkans

This study abroad course to Greece, Bulgaria, North Macedonia, and Albania offers a unique opportunity to engage with the complex history of Jewish life in the Balkans before, during, and after the Holocaust. These countries with deep-rooted Sephardic, Ashkenazi and Romaniote Jewish histories, experienced the Holocaust in different ways, from mass deportations and extermination to remarkable cases of rescue and survival. By traveling to historical sites, museums, and memorials, you can deepen your knowledge and understanding of how local histories, political alliances, and cultural dynamics shaped the fate of communities in the region. We will meet with historians, local Jewish community leaders, and museum curators to discuss how the Holocaust is remembered today and its impact on national identities. As 2026 marks a period where Holocaust survivors and the Righteous Among the Nations have mostly passed, this trip would be especially significant for students by preserving their stories through their descendants and ensuring that new generations continue to study and learn from this history.

Credits

3