I just wanted you all to "officially" know that our week together in August was one I will never forget. To be surrounded by so many wonderful educators who all have the Holocaust in common was phenomenal--but not JUST because we have the Holocaust in common. I think that our commitment to teaching the Holocaust is rooted in something much deeper--a compassion for people and a desire to instill tolerance and understanding in our students. I personally believe THAT is our glue. We have heard other comments about Mandels of the past who were, how shall I say, less than humble about their experience and knowledge. I believe that in our Mandel class, I consistently saw a humble spirit and an attitude of "feed me Seymore,  feed me" ( from the ROCKY HORROR PICTURE SHOW, OF COURSE). But seriously, I have never felt more comfortable around a group of people so quickly, nor have I felt such a caring spirit from so many individuals. And, irregardless of what our projects hold for us, I think I speak for us all when I say that the 2003 Mandels are a class not to be forgotten; not to be matched.
                                                   Stephanie Dennis, 2003 Mandel Fellow