Comments for Lois Holzman

Comment on Dan Friedman’s Theatre for Nothing by loisholzman

loisholzman — Sat, 21 Aug 2010 03:34:02 +0000

Thanks, Tim. Performance is a type of play. Try relating to your class as a performance ensemble who have the power to create new meanin and new ways to learn and to relate to you, each other and the “content.”

Comment on Dan Friedman’s Theatre for Nothing by Tim Buchanan

Tim Buchanan — Thu, 19 Aug 2010 21:42:50 +0000

I have quickly read the speech by D. Friedman. I am looking forward to paying it greater attention. It has such truth, once I got a grip on “instrumentalism.” I struggle with the quality of education I offer my high school students and I have found your concepts about torching the building solid. Friedman takes me a bit further, and I can see what he is saying about Theatre applies to what public schools often do with Essays, Reading, Testing, and all the other elements in the Holy Bag.
My problem now is getting a usable replacement for the void I feel obliged to create. I am uncertain of what “play” means beyond the teen silliness, I have yet to let go of in my early sixties. It is a stenchful quacmire I find myself and my poor students in. Friedman makes perfect sense about making instruments of the young, and casting off those unwilling to correst tune.

Comment on Gita Vygodskaya by Volker Bunzendahk

Volker Bunzendahk — Thu, 29 Jul 2010 17:58:07 +0000

Yes, and I am so happy that I have met Gita two, allmost three times.

First and second time was in Århus and Vejle, Denmark, where I had the possibility to share words and thoughts, and last not least to share moments with her. The third time was at the 110 years conference in Moscow, 2006, where she unfortunately already was not so well. At that time Elena Kravtsova and her son Lev, and her husband made the connection inderectly to Gita.

In Århus, while Lois talked in the auditorium in Århus,1998, she whispered in my ears: “Isn’t it wonderful that she will bring Vygotskijs words over to the next millenium. She helps his words to be heard in the future!” -

Gita will allways be remembered by me as both grandmother and child, grandmother for all of us trying to work on with her fathers contributions, child because she could tell us stories about Lev Vygotsky as a father, as a husband, as a friend.

Volker

Comment on Gita Vygodskaya by loisholzman

loisholzman — Tue, 20 Jul 2010 02:07:50 +0000

Thank you, Dot. And ditto, ditto, ditto!

Comment on Gita Vygodskaya by Dot Robbins

Dot Robbins — Mon, 19 Jul 2010 03:18:24 +0000

Dear Lois,
Thank you for your thoughts and the picture of Gita. Wonderful!! I am so happy that you and others shared experiences with her. You can be very sure that you were very meaningful to Gita and Elena Kravtsova (her daughter) in so many ways…..And, it all continues through our mutual friend, Elina Lampert-Shepel, who was in Moscow with the International Vygotsky Summer School when Gita died. Lois, you were a true friend to Gita for so long. Thank you for all of the support you showed her.
With very good wishes,
Dot

Comment on Gita Vygodskaya by loisholzman

loisholzman — Fri, 16 Jul 2010 20:23:52 +0000

And now you’re performing in the world performing the world!

Comment on Gita Vygodskaya by Melissa Meyer

Melissa Meyer — Fri, 16 Jul 2010 20:20:32 +0000

I remember first meeting Gita at the East Side Institute on 500 Greenwich Street. She sat on a stool in front of the what was the costume shop for the Castillo Theatre.

I had moved to New York to train in the Institute’s therapist training program. I had only been in the city for a couple of months and did not quite realize the significance of her visit, nor meeting Joe Bruner who came to our offices as well. I don’t remember what was said, but I do remember her smiling eyes. Thanks to her we have Lev’s writings and the influence they have had on social therapy. Thank you, Gita!

Comment on Vygotsky: With and Without Truth by Gita Vygodskaya – Lois Holzman

Gita Vygodskaya – Lois Holzman — Fri, 16 Jul 2010 13:55:22 +0000

[...] and give a conference presentation. Over the years, Gita and I saw each other a few more times. Our last visit was this past November at the home outside of Moscow she shared with her daughter, son-in-law and [...]

Comment on Online Learning Environments and Social Creativity by Gwen Lowenheim

Gwen Lowenheim — Tue, 08 Jun 2010 13:57:23 +0000

Thank you, Lois. You’ve helped me relate to things I’ve found challenging about on-line teaching as opportunities for social creativity. In the class I’m teaching on everyday creativity, I love being able to re-read posts and get a sense of the group. And participants have been open about their lives in a way that helps the group delve into intellectually challenging material – now that you pointed that out I can see the many ways it’s going on. Yet the possibility that some posts have been un-responded to “looms large” for me, as I go back and read them. As an online “newbie” It raises interesting questions for me about the group and the individual, time (since we can go ‘back’ and read) and seeing posts as ‘part of the process by which the conversation has been created.’ Hmmm…having this conversation on your blog seems to make these concerns loom less-large!

Comment on Social Therapeutics in a South African Prison by Marian Rich

Marian Rich — Sun, 06 Jun 2010 15:33:49 +0000

Agree with Esben – such a rich story. Thinking about the power of performance and “teacher as therapist” in my own development as a teacher. Also thinking of those who are incarcerated all over the world; it is heartening to hear how performance is being used as a tool of empowerment and development within prisons, which are designed to disempower and dehumanize. Thank you for sharing your work.