David Labkovski Project • About Us

About Us

A Brief Introduction to

The David Labkovski Project

The David Labkovski Project (DLP) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit headquartered in Los Angeles. The DLP creates a living bridge from the lessons of the Holocaust to the realities of today’s world. We introduce and preserve the legacy of the Holocaust experience through the artwork of world-renowned artist David Labkovski (1906-1991), who documented life before, during and after the Holocaust with his paintbrush and pencils. DLP was founded in 2016 by Leora Raikin, Lisa Lainer-Fagan, Connie Marco & Stephanie Wolfson.

“Art is a powerful tool to begin difficult conversations and break down barriers.”

Leora Raikin Founder & Executive Director, David Labkovski Project

A Unique Approach to Holocaust Education

There are many unique components to DLP’s approach to Holocaust education. DLP uses both a body of narrative art that evokes emotions and connections and a pedagogical methodology that transfers ownership and responsibility onto students. The students are therefore able to educate their peers and community through this artwork and become active rather than passive participants. The universal language of art transcends backgrounds, thus making this approach accessible to all. In addition, through DLP’s programs, which use a project-based approach, students learn leadership, public speaking, and other skills. DLP also shares lessons of life, survival, resilience and the importance and responsibility of bearing witness to history.

Multidisciplinary

David Labkovski Project is an educational program that merges art, history, and technology. The DLP uses a body of narrative art (over 400 pieces) to share lessons of life, survival, resilience, and the importance and responsibility of bearing witness to history.

Accessible

David Labkovski Project uses art to evoke emotions and connection, which transcends backgrounds and is therefore accessible for everyone to interpret and relate. This enables difficult topics, such as Holocaust education, to be discussed in a non-judgmental and non-confrontational manner.

Active Engagement

David Labkovski Project uses pedagogical methodology that transfers ownership and responsibility onto students by educating them to become docents and curators so that they can educate their peers and community. This encourages students to use their own voices to create a better tomorrow.

Leadership Skills

Through David Labkovski Project's programs, which use a project-based approach, students learn leadership, public speaking, collaboration, critical thinking, mediation, and problem solving skills.

Deep Dive of History

David Labkovski Project programs enable people to dive deeply into the history and subject matter rather than just give these topics a cursory glance.

Scalable Programs

David Labkovski Project enables both teachers and students to educate their peers and community. As such, DLP methodology is scalable and well-equipped to expand world-wide to a limitless number of schools and other institutions.

Our Impact

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Filling the Need to Bear Witness to History

Why We Need Holocaust Education

Holocaust education is lacking in our educational institutions. The David Labkovski Project focuses on educating individual students, who bring our programs to their teachers, who bring DLP to their school, which then impacts the community. DLP has impacted thousands of students since our programs began. We’ve worked with more than 200 teachers in more than 23 schools, in multiple states and across 7 countries. Our student docents have come to us from more than 40 different schools as well.

A Look at the Artist

About David Labkovski (1906-1991)

Artist & Holocaust Survivor

David Labkovski was a Jewish artist whose paintings depict his life and the lives of other Holocaust survivors. His works depict “the world that was” as seen through his perspective; he paints colorful scenes of his life in Vilna (current-day Vilnius, Lithuania) before the war and the devastation he finds there upon his return from a Siberian prison.

David Labkovski hoped to share his art with others, so that they might understand the importance of bearing witness to history and find hope for a better future.

DLP Testimonials

From Students, Teachers, Community Members & Friends

I never expected I would care this much and be so excited to showcase these pictures. When I started this project, I didn’t know anything about David Labkovski (or the Holocaust) and now we are here to tell you his life story.

JordanStudent

Before beginning my time doing this project, I did not really identify with the Holocaust or its effects on Jewish life as a Jew. Rather I saw it as an unhappy topic that, like the atrocities of the Japanese occupation of Korea and other such horrific happenings in history, it just was. In some cases I outright avoided learning about it when I could. After participating in the program (David Labkovski Project), my outlook was transformed. I have had to confront my own Jewish identity and apply myself to learning about the Holocaust. Through David and Rivka’s lives and struggles, I learned how to see the Holocaust as less of another flat atrocity of history and more of a dynamic event that needs to be shared to the general public in order to make them understand its importance.

SamStudent

DLP In the Media

We are advocates for tolerance, inclusiveness, and equality in our communities. We are grateful for the opportunities we have had to share DLP’s mission and hope that David Labkovski’s artwork has inspired others to practice tolerance and inclusion.

DLP Featured in Jewish Journal April 2024

“Echoes of History: Educating the Next Generation Through the David Labkovski Project” The weekly April 29th edition of Jewish Journal featured DLP’s programs and how

April 30, 2024

DLP Keynote at the Sydney, Australia Jewish Educators Symposium

Leora Raikin, DLP’s founder and executive director, was a featured speaker at the 3rd Biannual Sydney Jewish Educator’s Symposium on October 11, 2023. The event

October 11, 2023

Documentary “Healing through Art” Produced by Darryl Pugh of Capital Group and featuring DLP wins Telly Award

DLP installed the exhibit “Documenting History through Art” at the Capital Group. DLP Founder & Executive Director, Leora Raikin, presented lectures and workshops on the

August 1, 2023

© COPYRIGHT 2018-2023. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. David Labkovski Project is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization (EIN 81-0882765). Contributions to David Labkovski Project are tax-deductible to the fullest extent of the law. All works of art shown are protected under copyright law and may not be reproduced, modified or distributed without prior written permission from the David Labkovski Project.