Create a Leaf for our Memorial
Vermont Holocaust Memorial invites everyone to create a “leaf” that will become part of a future commemorative Holocaust Education Monument & Garden.
Inspired by Vermont’s landscape, and based upon trees symbolizing families and life, our Leaf Project remembers the 1.5 million children murdered in the Holocaust.
Make your promise to remember the past and to build a future free from hate by taking part and dedicating a leaf to VTHM’s Leaf Project.
THE LEAF PROJECT
Of the 6 million Jews who perished, 1.5 million were children.
Tens of thousands were Romani/Gypsy children,
German children with disabilities living in institutions,
Polish children living in occupied Soviet Union.
Mere children.
Mission
The Leaf Project is a call to action to learn lessons drawn from the Holocaust to help us recognize prejudice, discrimination and stereotyping. By collecting one individualized leaf at a time, this Project enables us to inspire tolerance and appreciation of diversity, courage, and heroism through interactive learning. The goal is to create and collect 1.5 million memorial leaves, one for each child who perished in the Holocaust. In this way, we connect to history and honor lives lost.
Vermont Holocaust Memorial will collect, count, and eventually display the leaves in a collective exhibition.
Visit our Leaf Project Lesson Plans section for details on how you or your students can take part in this important and educational project, and learn more about some of the children killed in the Holocaust.
Why Leaves?
The six million souls murdered in the Holocaust were like individual human trees. Each had the potential to grow, flourish, and bear fruit for generations. Physically they were obliterated, but their roots—their souls—could never be destroyed.
In Vermont, trees dominate and populate our landscape. Trees have always served as a metaphor for life, for family. There are no two trees alike. There are no two leaves alike. There are no two people alike. All trees are separate, yet all trees have a need to survive and are connected as one.
The leaves are our children....our hope...our life dream.
Leaves fall and scatter their seed.
The seed takes root.
The roots grow trees.
The trees bear new leaves.
And - the cycle of life continues.
Imagine a landscape where all the trees have been cut down....uprooted?
Imagine a future without our trees?
Get Involved
Through the Leaf Project, communities can take action to further Holocaust awareness. Create leaves to honor and remember the lives lost. With your help, our mission will be fulfilled. Help transform the way we can learn about this difficult part of our history.
Ways you can get involved
Teachers, community leaders, faith leaders, librarians, families, can join together to create beautiful memorial leaves that help reach our goal. Research stories of children who perished in the Holocaust. It’s a powerful way to engage groups large and small in interactive learning. Use crayons, paints, stickers, glitter. Write messages of inspiration, of hope, of love, in memory or in honor of someone. All are unique, all are different - as are all people.
Download stencils for leaves to decorate here or from our Vermont Leaf Images page. Make your own leaves to decorate.
Use any medium - cardboard, fabric, tissue, or paper for example. Note: size should not exceed 6”
Contact VTHM to receive a PDF, donated by the Vermont Leaf Company, designating a variety of leaves or to request a packet of our pre-cut “leaves” for decorating.
Build a meaningful temporary installation or mural of your own - and share it with others.
As you create and collect leaves in your community, school, library, church, special interest group - display the leaves by hanging them, mounting them, spreading them out. Talk about their importance, make others aware of the significance of remembering lives lost, discuss the uniqueness and differences of all people. Share the lessons of how you can make a difference and Never Forget.
Who can participate? Anyone!
Public and private schools
Home schools
Religious organizations
Special interest groups
4-H
Scout troops
Camps
Art classes
...Anywhere people are taught ethics and good citizenship