When Prejudice Became Policy
March - April 2025
On this day, April 7, 1933, the Nazi government enacted the Law for the Restoration of the Professional Civil Service. With one stroke of a pen, Jews, political dissidents, and “non-Aryans” were purged from civil service positions—teachers, judges, professors, and more.
It was the first of many laws that turned discrimination into doctrine.
The Mitzvah Project exists to help students understand how ordinary systems—education, government, even law—can be used to marginalize and exclude. Through powerful solo performances, a multimedia lecture, conversation and study materials designed with leading Holocaust educators, we provide students a deeply human lens on history.
Recent Presentations: Breaking New Ground!
In Colorado:
March 10th – Dakota Ridge HS (Littleton, CO) hosted its first ever presentation (See the group photo below).
March 11th – Arvada West HS (Arvada, CO) hosted its third presentation in as many years.
During the Q&A at Dakota Ridge, one student stood up and said: “As a young, gay person, I want to thank you for telling this story. It means a lot to me.”
In California:
January 30th – Crystal Springs Uplands School, Hillsborough, CA †
March 4th – Monte Vista High School, Danville, CA †
April 2nd – Dougherty Valley High School, San Ramon, CA †
April 3rd – Northgate High School, Walnut Creek, CA
† – first time host school
Read comments from the educators at all these schools:
The following is a partial list of *first time* California high school presentations coming later this year (dates TBA):
Alameda High School, Alameda, CA
Deer Valley High School, Antioch, CA
Freemont High School, Sunnyvale, CA
Pittsburg High School, Pittsburg, CA
On March 4th, Teaching Artist, Elijah Alexander, gave a stirring presentation for over 400 students, faculty and friends at Monte Vista High School in Danville, CA.
On March 4th, Teaching Artist, Elijah Alexander, gave a stirring presentation for over 400 students, faculty and friends at Monte Vista High School in Danville, CA.
After the presentation, Dr. Kevin Ahern, Monte Vista’s principal said:
“Monte Vista High School had the privilege of hosting The Mitzvah Project, and I cannot overstate the profound impact it had on our students. Teaching artist, Elijah Alexander, brought the performance to life with powerful and authentic accounts of the Holocaust, immersing our students in the harsh realities of this historical tragedy. His lecture that followed, provided our students with both the background of what gave rise to the Holocaust as well as an empowering message of what they can do to stand up to antisemitism, racism, or any other divisive language or systems.”
Mitzvah Project Teaching Artists bring Holocaust history to life in a way no textbook can. With deep family connections to the Holocaust and extensive experience as educators and actors, they lead high school students across the country on a journey that is as engaging and compelling as it is educational—and all at no cost to public schools.
That's where you come in.
Victor and students at Arvada West HS.
With your support, students won’t just hear the stories—they’ll have new tools to explore the difficult lessons of the Holocaust while gaining a deeper understanding of the world around them. The Mitzvah Project helps young people see the world more clearly, with all its flaws, while encouraging greater empathy, tolerance, and acceptance of others.
Your tax-deductible donation today—in any amount—from $100 to $5,000 or more, directly funds the performances, talkbacks, and classroom resources that make this life-changing experience possible. Every donation brings us closer to our goal of reaching 8,000 students by 2026.
At a time when antisemitism, ignorance, and intolerance are on the rise, your support makes it possible to bring this unique learning opportunity into our schools.
To donate online:
To donate by mail:
Send checks payable to PlayGround* (add “The Mitzvah Project” in the memo section)
Mail to:
PlayGround
3286 Adeline Street #9
Berkeley, CA 94703-2485
PlayGround (Federal ID 94-3336399) is a California not-for-profit corporation and the fiscal sponsor of The Mitzvah Project.
Thanks to:
The Bay Area Jewish Community Federation and Endowment Fund for its ongoing support of The Mitzvah Project!
The Posen Foundation for its invaluable support of Mitzvah Project initiatives since 2017
The Excelsior German Center of Oakland for supporting our outreach to new high school audiences in the San Francisco Bay Area
This year The Mitzvah Project is, once again, a proud partner with the Museum of Jewish Heritage and Temple Emanu-El of the City of New York for their Annual Gathering of Remembrance on April 27th.
Warm regards,
Roger Grunwald, Founder, The Mitzvah Project
