Mr. Harold “Hal” Kessler, an Elkins Park resident, longtime public school teacher, and former Education Director for the Holocaust Awareness Museum and Education Center (HAMEC) in Cheltenham Township, passed away on Thursday, April 23. He was 93.

A Kensington native, Mr. Kessler graduated from Central High School and Temple University before beginning his teaching career at Stetson Junior High School. He served the School District of Philadelphia for 38 years as a teacher and administrator, his obituary said.

“During this time, he chaired the committee that would write the Holocaust Curriculum Guide for middle and high school teachers. This curriculum was the first of its kind in the country,” his obituary said.

After retiring from the school district in 1992, Mr. Kessler went on to work for the World Affairs Council of Philadelphia as Project Director of its Schools of Excellence Program. In 2003, he was named the Education Director of HAMEC, retiring in 2008.

From HAMEC’s post:

During his tenure the number and quality of our school programs grew dramatically. Through his leadership we were launched  on the trajectory of doing hundreds of programs reaching tens of thousands of students every year. We will miss his professionalism, dedication and friendship.

Services will be private.

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