Students researched the local Jewish history of their hometown of Kutina, from the 19th century right through to the present day. They wanted to share the history of Jewish influence with the wider community. Students visited the local Jewish cemetery and the Museum of Moslavina and they interviewed the only living Jewish woman born in Kutina during World War Two.

Working with teachers from different curricular areas inspired broader discussions amongst students about prejudice, tolerance and human rights, and led to a condemnation of all forms of racism, discrimination and violence. Students also learned about the Jewish influence on their hometown of Kutina, and the impact of the Holocaust through an evaluation of the oral history of a living witness.

The students made a documentary film which includes a statement made by the only living Jewish woman still living in Kutina, and an interesting dialogue between younger and older students. In addition, they recorded an interview with the curator of the Moslavina Museum, the curator of the Jasenovac Memorial Site and a rabbi in Zagreb. Students also developed some supporting learning resources.

The students’ documentary film “Tehillah” was screened at the Museum of Moslavina in Kutina and was also presented at the National Holocaust Conference in Karlovac and the County Professional Conference of History Teachers in Sisak. The learning resources related to the film were used by and with other students as a way of sharing the learning from ‘My Hometown’.