I grew up hearing the stories, reading the books, and seeing movies about the Holocaust that saw 6 million Jews and millions of Gypsies, homosexuals, the mentally disabled, and other human beings die at the hands of those who organized genocide during World War II. The world did not expect such a systematic killing of people, yet genocides have happened since and continue today in places such as Darfur in the Sudan.

So when I was given the opportunity to go on a program called March of the Living with an organization called BJE Los Angeles, I went. I went so I could see first-hand evidence of the Nazi destruction. I went to hear the personal stories of seven survivors of the Holocaust. I went to chaperone more than 160 brave teenagers (many of whom I have taught in my classrooms) who wanted to see and learn and never forget. I went to celebrate that life goes on and to solidify my belief that we must educate ourselves and teach others the imperative of respecting life for all human beings. I went for my children, who will inherit a world I must try — in whatever small ways — to make better.

If you are inclined to know more about the March of the Living, please click to an article I co-wrote that explains some of an unforgettable experience.

Happy Mother’s Day to the wondrous women in our lives. To my own mom, who just passed her last test to be a dental assistant and puts all her love into work-of-art birthday cards for my boys. To my step-mom, who takes my kids on adventures of culture and silliness. To my grandma, who catches so many small details of my children. To my mom-in-law, who shows my sons to appreciate dogs, water, and laughter. To my sister, who I’m so lucky to have as a friend and a parenting confidante. And to my wife, who is so much more than this month’s column can say.

It’s relatively straightforward for us parents to deal with a product recall, like the one that recently occurred with McNeil Consumer Healthcare, which pulled products such as children’s versions of Tylenol, Tylenol Plus, Motrin, Zyrtec, and Benadryl because of “quality” issues (such as a higher concentration of an active ingredient). What freaks most of us out is a situation in which kids engage in destructive behaviors without significant warning signs. I really try not to be an alarmist, but the recent story of a child who died while playing the “choking game” hit hard. The game involves hanging from a rope or otherwise strangling in order to get the high that occurs from losing brain cells while suffocation is in process. The trick is to stop the choking before reaching the point of no return, yet that didn’t happen with this one boy. His age? 12…

What packs an even bigger punch is that many kids who play this game do so because they don’t want to do such forbidden things as drugs or alcohol. They are often high-achieving young people who go for a “natural” high. They still want to be good kids by not polluting their bodies. Well, there’s nothing natural about this and it points out fundamental issues. We must keep communicating with our children about their lives and stay involved in their world. Know their friends and be supportive. Talk to them about things like this choking game. It’s real. Even if your kid is a bit more sensitive, at least broach the subject of staying safe and calling you or stepping away from dangerous situations, despite the social acceptance issues.

What are your thoughts? How can we keep our kids safe when they think they’re still being good?