High School Human Rights Institute – Holocaust and Human Rights Education Center

This popular event attracts students and educators from Westchester County, the Hudson Valley, and Fairfield County CT area high schools, as dynamic keynote speakers cover important topics including human rights abuses and injustices, and the importance of youth leadership in confronting prejudice and discrimination.

The HHREC Human Rights Institute for High School Student Leaders is intended to further our mission by promoting student awareness of human rights issues on both local and global levels, and to empower students to be Upstanders by creating and implementing Action Plans in their schools and communities.

Small-group workshops led by experienced student facilitators encourage frank and open dialogue and discussion. Teachers from participating schools encourage and help their students to produce an activist response to some appropriate human rights cause.

Qualifications

HHREC encourages teachers to identify and recommend student participants who possess the following qualities:

- Interest in human rights issues

- Ability to express themselves and discuss issues with others

- Willingness to commit time and energy to developing a program for Upstander Week

Workshop Facilitators

Students from previous Institutes are eligible to serve as workshop presenters/facilitators. Teachers may choose a maximum of four juniors or seniors to develop a presentation.

For more information contact Jeanne Claire Cotnoir, HHREC Coordinator of Student Programming jcotnoir@hhrecny.org or call 914.696.0738.

2026 HHREC Human Rights Institute for High School Student Leaders

Over 450 students and teachers from a record 43 schools from the greater Hudson Valley area attended the 24th annual Holocaust & Human Rights Education Center (HHREC) Human Rights Institute for High School Student Leaders on Wednesday, March 18th at Iona University in New Rochelle, New York.

The program featured a keynote presentation from Alfred “Fred” Schoenfeld, a Holocaust Survivor who told his story surviving the Nazi regime during World War II as a young boy in Slovakia. Fred shared intimate details about his memory of citizens in his hometown of Presov turning against their Jewish neighbors, and how his grandfather was put on a train and sent to Auschwitz. He went on to tell the story of how he and his parents survived by hiding in the attic of a warehouse, eventually escaped and immigrated to the U.S. He then explained how he was motivated to speak following a return trip he made to Europe to see his childhood home.

County Legislator David T. Imamura spoke about his experience as a youth and how his grandfather overcame immigration barriers after surviving 133 days on a small boat adrift during WWII, and how his other grandfather fought for America in a Japanese American unit during WWII while Japanese Americans were interned by the federal government, an experience that shaped David’s understanding of both the government’s capacity to help and its potential to harm. He also shared his experience running for public office, becoming the first Asian American County Legislator.

2026 High School Student Honorees for Human Rights, Community Service and Upstanders

A group of students were recognized for their work in promoting human rights in their schools and communities. The honorees included:

The Richard A. Berman Leadership Award for Human Rights was awarded to Angjelina Vataj, Byram Hills High School, Breana Sinkfield-Tyler, New Rochelle High School, and Summer Befanis, Somers High School. This award is in honor of the longstanding commitment and dedication of Richard Berman to the Holocaust & Human Rights Education Center, and his commitment to community service and the education of ethically and socially responsible leaders for the global community.

The Andy Cahn Community Service Award was presented to Aiden Mendez, Ossining High School, and Camila Figueroa, Rocky Point High School. This award is given in memory of the contributions and commitments made by Andy Cahn, former Assistant Director of Education for HHREC who was instrumental in the creation of the High School Human Rights Institute.

The Neil Ginsberg Student Upstander Award was presented to Jade Orellana, Sleepy Hollow High School and Amala Fernandez, Mamaroneck High School. This award recognizes the contributions and commitment made by Neil Ginsberg to the Human Rights Institute for High School Student Leaders, and his dedication to the HHREC Educators Program Committee for over 20 years.

"I am grateful I was able to take part in the Human Rights Institute and explore human rights issues with a knowledgeable group of peers who shared their own unique perspective with me. Through the student-led workshops, I learned that many human rights issues are interconnected. For example, education in developing third world countries is not accessible to many people, in part because many women and children have to walk long distances daily to get water due to water scarcity, which is also seen on a global scale. My favorite part of the conference, however, was hearing the guest speakers. I am especially glad I was able to hear Peter Westbrook and Judith Altmann speak about their own inspiring and harrowing experiences. Mr. Westbrook, an accomplished African-American and Japanese fencer, shared with us his story of perseverance, persistence, and positivity through his struggles. His caring and empowering nature continues to help young athletes, among others, to find their purpose and power in life. It was even more humbling and moving to receive a firsthand account of Ms. Altmann's journey through the Holocaust. She went through so much, yet instead of putting her memories away, she shared them with us in order to raise awareness and prevent anyone else from going through the hate and discrimination she faced. Hearing her story directly, as opposed to learning about the Holocaust in general terms, was stirring. She recounted to us her starvation, especially during the death march, and how she and her niece were able to eat a couple handfuls of grass to fill their stomachs because an SS woman looked the other way. Mr. Westbrook and Ms. Altmann's bravery and endurance through their struggles, and their missions to help others, has shown me all the ways I can help promote human rights. I hope to take advantage of what I learned and experienced during the conference to strengthen my community and do my part to improve the world."

Eileen Weisner, New Rochelle High School

HHREC Human Rights Institute for High School Student Leaders March 18th, 2026 Iona University

2026 HHREC Human Rights Institute for High School Student Leaders

2026 High School Student Honorees for Human Rights, Community Service and Upstanders

Recent Keynote Speakers:

HHREC Human Rights Institute for High School Student Leaders March 18th, 2026 Iona University

2026 HHREC Human Rights Institute for High School Student Leaders

2026 High School Student Honorees for Human Rights, Community Service and Upstanders

Recent Keynote Speakers:﻿

Recent Keynote Speakers: