Herzlia School in Highlands Estate is Chief Rabbi Sir Ephraim Mirvis’s alma mater!
February 2026
| Report from Anton Krupenia Principal, Herzlia Weizmann School Cape Town South Africa |
In My Pocket Project with the Grade 5s Last Friday, our Grade 5s participated in the “In My Pocket” Project, a moving educational experience facilitated by former Capetonians Eli and Jill Rabinowitz. The project centres on the story of Dorrith M. Sim, who was just seven years old when she fled Nazi Germany in 1939. Her book, written specifically for children, chronicles her journey on the Kindertransport, a rescue mission that brought nearly 10 000 refugee children to Great Britain just before the outbreak of World War II. Through Dorrith’s story, the children explored profound themes of identity, courage, and the enduring plight of refugees. The project provided a bridge between historical events and modern-day displacement, emphasising the importance of diversity and empathy. As Dorrith herself reflected: “We were each given a place on a Kindertransport out of Nazi Europe. After the war, some of us were reunited with our families. Sadly, many of us were not… we either stayed in our new countries where we grew up, or went to live in different countries all over the world.” To bring these themes to life, each pupil received a mini-copy of the book and engaged in two meaningful activities:Artistic Design: The Grade 5s painted and designed their own “pockets,” based on ideas they gleaned from the story.Reflective Writing: Children wrote about what they would choose to carry in their own pockets if they were in Dorrith’s shoes, forced to leave everything they knew behind.We encourage you to talk with your child about their experience with this project; we are certain they have meaningful insights to share. |
Kind regards
ANTON KRUPENIA
Principal
Olami ORT Mexico
Hi Jill and Eli,
I wanted to share that the experience with the students of Olamí ORT was deeply moving. The children were incredibly sensitive and empathetic with the story, and they offered reflections that were profound and truly touching.
I’d also like to extend my heartfelt gratitude to you for sharing such an invaluable experience, and to recognize the effort you make to reach the hearts of children around the world.
To never forget is our responsibility. In times as complex as these for the Jewish world, to be carriers of memory, to foster and educate through history, through our history, is an act of love.
Thank you so much for such a noble contribution. To educate is to share, to pass on, to plant values, so that we may cultivate critical thinking, open hearts, and a deep yearning to remain always as one people: united, proud of who we are, and of where we come from.
With all my appreciation and gratitude,
Orly Picker
I copied here the message of one of the teachers:
Hi Orly, the activity went wonderfully well. The children truly loved discovering the story through a tale told from the perspective of a young girl; it helped them connect with it in such a tender, empathetic way.
We focused the lesson on helping them understand that, throughout history, wars have led to people becoming refugees, and it was something the children talked about a lot. They asked questions, shared thoughtful comments, and showed a very special sensitivity.
They also really appreciated learning about the Shoah. It sparked a great deal of curiosity, and above all, they were grateful that what they experienced was carefully adapted to their age in a respectful and approachable way.
Something that moved them especially at the end was seeing that other children in other countries had also made drawings, this made them feel part of something bigger, as if memory and learning were connecting them with children around the world.
Overall, it was a deeply enriching and meaningful experience, and the children genuinely enjoyed it.
Olami ORT Mexico
Endorsement from Moriah College Sydney Australia
As part of their Project Heritage journey, our Year 6 students took part in a powerful workshop called ‘In My Pocket’, where they explored the extraordinary story of Dorrith Sim – a child refugee who survived the Holocaust and found a new life in Scotland.
Through her moving autobiographical picture book, students connected with Dorrith’s experiences of rescue, resilience, and hope. Inspired by her story, they channeled their creativity into designing symbolic pockets that represent her journey and memory.
WE ARE HERE! Foundation guides students through this meaningful and memorable learning experience.
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Carmel School Perth Western Australia
A huge thank you to Jill Reitstein Rabinowitz and Eli Rabinowitz for leading yesterday’s ‘In My Pocket’ professional development session, which gave the Primary School staff the opportunity to learn deeply about the Kindertransport, and the rescue mission that brought thousands of Jewish children to safety before World War II.
Through powerful storytelling and historical insight with Michele Galanti, staff explored the lives of children, specifically Dorrith Sim who were forced to leave everything behind, often carrying just a small bag or item in their pocket.
Inspired by the session, staff crafted their own creative symbolic “pockets”, each one telling a story and collectively reinforcing a strong sense of unity and collegiality within the Kindergarten to Year 6 team.
Thank you again to Jill and Eli for for guiding us through this moving and significant story with such thoughtfulness.
A teacher’s feedback
Dear Jill and Eli,
Words feel too small to capture the enormity of what you’ve accomplished.
Your professional development presentation around the Kindertransport during the Shoah was nothing short of extraordinary. Taking ‘In My Pocket’ and breathing life into its pages, transforming it from a story into a deeply immersive historical experience for children in 2025, is a profound act of both courage and compassion.
The depth of your research and the intentionality in your delivery created a space where heartbreak met understanding. You took a topic steeped in unimaginable pain and made it tangible in the gentlest, most respectful way. The accompanying activity was not just thoughtful, it was transformative. It no doubt allows young minds to connect, question, and feel. You’ve planted seeds of empathy and awareness that will blossom for years to come.
You’ve left an enormous imprint on my heart, and I know I’m not alone in that.
With deep admiration and gratitude
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Carmel School Staff’s Social Media Post with more images
Dear Eli and Jill,
Today we ran the program in our school. Phyllis Jowell JDS joined us and the program was an immense success! The students were all so engaged and involved in the presentation and in the pocket artwork. They asked great questions and had beautiful reflections at the end!
We were even pleasantly surprised to see students who normally are not interested in art being so engaged in the pocket and the painting.
Thank you so much for this beautiful story to share with the children. There was such a beautiful lesson to impart and I think the kids really took it to heart!
Thanks again!
Chanee Shlomo
German Ambassador Grzeski’s Visit to Perth – May 2025
The Holocaust Centre Perth
In My Pocket Highlights at the Ambassador’s reception at UWA
Photos by Matt Jelonek
Highgate IEC Class – in 10 languages
Scootle
Scootle is a national digital learning repository which provides Australian teachers with access to digital learning items, provided by a wide array of contributors and aligned to core areas of the Australian Curriculum.
In My Pocket project is now on Scootle
In My Pocket Project
In My Pocket is supported by the Ambassadors of Germany, Israel & Lithuania in Australia, the German Hon Consul in WA, the Goethe Institute, the Indigenous Friends of Israel International, and the city councils of Belmont, Swan, Vincent, Stirling, Cockburn, Bassendean, Bayswater and South Perth
