This resource introduces students to Charlotte Salomon, a young Jewish artist whose work chronicles German-Jewish life during the Nazi era. By engaging with her paintings and personal story, students will reflect on art’s unique capacity to endure even amidst tremendous adversity. 

Through interactive activities such as creating personal timelines, analyzing art, and enacting scenes from Salomon’s works, students will gain a deeper understanding of the Nazi era’s impact on Jewish culture and individual lives and see how art can be a powerful outlet for emotional resilience, historical reflection, and collective memory. 

The Contemporary Jewish Museum resources teach students about Jewish life in age-appropriate ways while integrating seamlessly with grade-level curriculum, and supporting teachers in creating culturally welcoming classroom environments for all students. The CJM's resources incorporate Jewish author biographies, community immigration stories, and Jewish culture and celebrations, while including space for conversation and centering intercultural connection. This approach helps dispel assumptions of otherness that can lead to biases and harmful stereotypes. 

Explore all of our teacher and school offerings including free, downloadable teacher resources and curricula; short videos related to our exhibitions; educator professional learning opportunities; and more.

Since its founding in 1984, The Contemporary Jewish Museum (The CJM), located in downtown San Francisco, has distinguished itself as a welcoming place where visitors can connect with one another through shared experiences with the arts. 

The CJM’s mission is to welcome all to explore the evolving, diverse Jewish life of today through innovative exhibitions and programs that educate, challenge, and inspire. In doing so, we aim to foster appreciation of and pride in Jewish culture, enrich the communities we serve, and combat intolerance of all kinds.

 

Details

Setting

  • Congregational Learning
  • Day Schools and Yeshivas
  • Teen Engagement