In an era where engaging younger generations in Holocaust education has become increasingly challenging, one third-generation Jewish Communal Fund (JCF) Fundholder is taking an innovative approach. Sam Butin, a game designer and storyteller, is leveraging the power of interactive media to bring history to life through his groundbreaking project, Normandie.
From Family History to Interactive Experience
Butin’s journey into philanthropic storytelling began with a family diary detailing a tense five-day transatlantic crossing aboard the SS Normandie in 1939. This personal connection to history inspired Butin to create what he calls a “Documentary Video Game,” offering players an immersive experience of investigating the past.
The Dreifuss Family – 1935
“I felt like it was so clear to me that there could be a video game where players are granted the opportunity to investigate the past, immerse in it, and discover all these aspects that are lost when we flatten it into a singular story,” Butin explains.
Breaking New Ground in Holocaust Education
The Normandie project is more than just a game; it’s a pioneering approach to Holocaust education. As the first video game to receive funding from the Claims Conference, it represents a significant shift in how institutions are approaching historical education.
Butin sees this as a crucial step in combating misinformation and antisemitism online. “According to ADL research, 2.3 million US teenagers were exposed to white supremacist ideologies in online video games in 2022 alone,” he notes. “So, I see Normandie as a way to meet new audiences on the platforms they are already inhabiting.”
A Legacy of Philanthropic Innovation
This innovative approach to philanthropy and education is deeply rooted in Butin’s family history with JCF. “My grandfather was a Fundholder for most of his life, and investing, he always used to say, is a form of storytelling,” Butin reflects. This philosophy has clearly influenced his own philanthropic journey.
Looking to the future, Butin envisions a hybrid public/private partner model for creating impactful games. He’s collaborating with organizations like Reboot, Maimonides Fund, and Games For Change to ensure Normandie is not only educational but also engaging and fun.
For young philanthropists looking to explore innovative approaches, Butin offers this advice: “Start with a question or a problem. It’s better if it’s open-ended, if there isn’t a clear solution. If you find your mind toiling it over and over again, that’s a good indicator.”
The Future of Educational Philanthropy
As we face the challenge of preserving Holocaust memory in a world with fewer survivors, projects like Normandie offer a glimpse into the future of educational philanthropy. By meeting younger generations where they are and leveraging the power of interactive storytelling, Butin and other forward-thinking Fundholders are paving the way for a new era of impactful giving.
Through JCF, visionaries like Butin are finding innovative ways to make a difference, proving that philanthropy can be as creative and engaging as the stories we tell.
Support for Normandie can be made by making a grant to Reboot Inc with a note: this donation is for the Normandie Project.