Elie Wiesel, hero, dead today.

http://www.cnn.com/2016/07/02/world/elie-wiesel-dies/index.html?adkey=bn

I spent time with Mr. Wiesel during the last few years of my life - in a manner of speaking. I taught one of his novels, the autobiographical Night, three of the last four years. His eyewitness account of life as usual in Poland and on through his experiences in Auschwitz - and his feelings along the way - served as a powerful testament to young students who didn't know persecution, and a bridge to those who did. Wiesel's memoir offered jumping off points for some of the most important discussions some 10th graders will ever have, and hopefully opened some eyes and minds to why we don't sit silently by when others are persecuted.

Thanks, Mr. Wiesel, for telling us what happened. Let us never forget.