SEASON
Rachel Rudnicki with a group of partisans that operated in the Rudniki forests. Taken upon the liberation of Vilna, 1944. Central Government Archives, Moscow
Welcome to the 2025 Programming Guide
This year, we invite you to embark on a meaningful journey into the often-overlooked stories of women during the Holocaust.
Our theme, Remembering Her: Exploring Women’s Lives in Holocaust History and Jewish Heritage, seeks to highlight the diverse experiences, resilience, and contributions of women both during the Holocaust and throughout Jewish heritage. Through a variety of workshops, community gatherings, lectures, and exhibitions, we honor these women’s unique narratives, fostering a deeper understanding of the crucial role they played in shaping history, culture, and community.
2025 SEASON AT A GLANCE
Spring Season | Jan – April 2025
JAN 16- MAY 2 | SPECIAL EXHIBIT
Escape Denied: The Frank Family’s Struggle for Freedom
Opening Reception: Thurs, Jan 16 | 6:30–8:30 PM
JAN 19 | SUNDAYS AT THE CENTER
Junior Reading Club: I Am Anne Frank
Sunday | 12 PM
JAN 26 | COMMEMORATION
Holocaust Remembrance Day Event
Sunday | 3–4 PM
FEB 11 | CRUCIAL CONVERSATIONS SERIES
Department of Justice “‘United Against Hate’ Initiative: Identifying, Reporting, and Preventing Hate Crimes”
Guest Speaker: US Attorney Roger Handberg
Tuesday | 6:30–8 PM
FEB 16 | FILM SCREENING
Sophie Scholl: The Final Days
Sunday | 2 PM
Winter Park Public Library
FEB 23 | SUNDAYS AT THE CENTER
Junior Reading Club: I Choose to Speak Up
Sunday | 12 PM
MARCH 27 | FUNDRAISER
White Rose Benefit Gala
Thursday | 6:30 PM
Winter Park Convention Center
Marking its 37th year, the White Rose Benefit Gala celebrates visionary leaders who promote inclusivity in Central Florida. Named after the Center’s founder and honoring the legacy of the White Rose resistance group, the Tess Wise White Rose Award recognizes individuals and organizations for their contributions to education, arts, culture, and community service, while also supporting the Center’s educational initiatives to inspire students of all ages.
Tess Wise
MAR 5 | BOOK CLUB
My Grandfather Would Have Shot Me
By Jennifer Teege
Wednesday | 6:30–7:30 PM
MAR 23 | DISMANTLING HATE WORKSHOP
Session 1: Understanding Antisemitism
Sunday | 11 AM
MAR 30 | SUNDAYS AT THE CENTER
Exclusive Docent-Led Tour of “Escape Denied”
Exhibit for Kids
Sunday | 12 PM
APR 16 | COMMUNITY CONNECTIONS
Young Professionals Night
Wednesday | 6:30–8:30 PM
APR 20 | SUNDAYS AT THE CENTER
Junior Reading Club: Be a Tree + Earth Day Planting
Sunday | 12 PM
APR 27 | COMMEMORATION
Yom HaShoah Commemoration Event
Sunday | 3 PM | Roth Family JCC
Summer Season | May – Aug 2025
MAY 7 | COMMUNITY CONNECTIONS
Behind the Vault: Special Collections Night
Wednesday | 6:30–8:30 PM
MAY 11 | DISMANTLING HATE WORKSHOP
Session 2: Combatting Stereotypes and Myths
Sunday | 11 AM–1 PM
MAY 18 | SUMMER YOUTH SERIES
Fighting Spirit: Krav Maga and Jewish History
Session 1 | Sunday | 1 PM
MAY 25 | SUNDAYS AT THE CENTER
Junior Reading Club: Curious George
Sunday | 12 PM
JUNE 5 - AUG 22 | SPECIAL EXHIBIT
Margret Rey and the Making of Curious George
Opening Reception: Thurs | June 5 | 6:30–8:30 PM
JUNE 8 | FILM SCREENING
Monkey Business: The Adventures of Curious George’s Creators
Sunday | 2 PM | Winter Park Public Library
JUNE 22 | SUMMER YOUTH SERIES
Fighting Spirit: Krav Maga and Jewish History
Session 2 | Sunday | 1 PM
2025 SEASON AT A GLANCE
JUNE 9-12
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
Dr. Norman M. Wall Teacher’s Institute
Monday – Thursday | 9 AM–3 PM
Every June, the Center hosts a professional development institute focused on Holocaust education, offering teachers across all grade levels and disciplines tools to incorporate this crucial subject into their curriculum as required by Florida law. Participants can earn up to 20 professional development credits while engaging with lectures, survivor testimony, and resources that emphasize the importance of tolerance and good citizenship.
JUNE 29 | SUNDAYS AT THE CENTER
Exclusive Docent-Led Tour of “Curious George”
Exhibit for Kids + Scavenger Hunt
Sunday | 12 PM
JULY 16 | BOOK CLUB
Jews in the Garden by Judy Rakowsky
Wednesday | 6:30–7:30 PM
JULY 20 | SUMMER YOUTH SERIES
Fighting Spirit: Krav Maga and Jewish History
Session 3 | Sunday | 1 PM
JULY 27 | SUNDAYS AT THE CENTER
Junior Reading Club: The Whispering Train
Sunday | 12 PM
AUG 6 | COMMUNITY CONNECTIONS
A Night at the Catskills Comedy Show
Wednesday | 6:30–8:30 PM
AUG 10 | DISMANTLING HATE WORKSHOP
Session 3: Digital Literacy and Online Hate
Sunday | 11 AM–1 PM
AUG 24 | SUNDAYS AT THE CENTER
Junior Reading Club: The Secret of the Village Fool
Sunday | 12 PM
Fall Season | Sept – Dec 2025
SEPT 7 | FILM SCREENING
Bombshell: The Hedy Lamarr Story
Sunday | 2 PM | Winter Park Public Library
SEPT 4-DEC 19 | SPECIAL EXHIBIT
Spots of Light: To Be a Woman in the Holocaust by Yad Vashem
Opening Reception: Thurs, Sept 4 | 6:30 - 8:30 PM
SEPT 10 | COMMUNITY CONNECTIONS
Founders’ Day Community Night
Thursday | 6:30–8:30 PM
SEPT 18 | CRUCIAL CONVERSATIONS SERIES
Fighting Hate Crimes with Early Education
Guest Speaker: Dr. Amra Sabic-El-Rayess
Thursday | 6:30–8 PM
SEPT 28 | SUNDAYS AT THE CENTER
Junior Reading Club: Rosie Revere, Engineer
Sunday | 12 PM
OCT 8 | BOOK CLUB
Memories of My Life in a Polish Village by Toby Knobel Fluek
Wednesday | 6:30–7:30 PM
OCT 19 | SUNDAYS AT THE CENTER
Junior Reading Club: The Patchwork Torah
Sunday | 12 PM
OCT 26 | DISMANTLING HATE WORKSHOP
Session 4: Historical Remembrance and Memorialization
Sunday | 11 AM–1 PM
NOV 9 | COMMEMORATION
Kristallnacht Commemoration Program
Sunday | 3–4 PM
NOV 23 | SUNDAYS AT THE CENTER
Junior Reading Club: I Will Come Back for You
Sunday | 12 PM
DEC 7 | FILM SCREENING
999 - The Forgotten Girls
Sunday | 2 PM | Winter Park Public Library
DEC 14 | SUNDAYS AT THE CENTER
Junior Reading Club: Hanukkah Bear
Sunday | 12 PM
Special Exhibition Sponsorship Opportunities
$10,000
| Premier Sponsor
• Private VIP pre-opening tour of the exhibition
• All recognitions below are included
$5,000
| Signature Sponsor
• Logo recognition on all exhibition promotional materials & signage
• Logo included on electronic communications
• Logo included on Holocaust Center website, exhibit page
• Prominent recognition at Opening Reception
• Recognition at associated programs (live and/or virtual)
• Complimentary lunch & learn with Education Curator (Holocaust history/education)
Your generous support enables us to keep educating individuals about the crucial history and lessons of the Holocaust, fostering a more just and compassionate community free from all forms of hate and bigotry. PLEASE CONTACT
$2,500
| Supporting Sponsor
• Name recognition on exhibition promotional materials & signage
• Name included on electronic communications
• Name included on Holocaust Center website, exhibit page
• Recognition at Opening Reception
$1,250
| Exhibition Sponsor
• Name recognition on exhibition signage
• Name included on Holocaust Center website, exhibit page
• Recognition at Opening Reception
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Book Club
This year’s book club explores published works by and about women during the Holocaust, delving into their unique experiences and perspectives. Each session includes in-depth discussions that provide historical context and foster reflection on the impact and legacy of these narratives.
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 5 | 6:30–7:30 PM
My Grandfather Would Have Shot Me
by Jennifer Teege
In this memoir, Jennifer Teege uncovers the shocking truth that her grandfather was Amon Goeth, the infamous Nazi commander depicted in Schindler’s List. This discovery leads Teege, a Black German woman, on a deep and personal journey to face her family’s history and navigate her own sense of identity.
WEDNESDAY, JULY 16 | 6:30–7:30 PM
Jews in the Garden
by Judy Rakowsky
Author Judy Rakowsky delves into her family’s Holocaust history after discovering a mass grave in a Polish garden. This memoir traces her quest for justice and truth, as she uncovers long-buried secrets and confronts the lingering impact of the Holocaust on survivors and their descendants.
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 8 | 6:30–7:30 PM
Memories of My Life in a Polish Village
by Toby Knobel Fluek
Author Toby Knobel Fluek recounts her childhood in a small Polish village before and during the Holocaust. Through her vivid memories and illustrations, Fluek preserves the rich traditions of Jewish life in Poland and the devastation that followed, offering a poignant tribute to a lost world.
The Holocaust commemoration series honors the memory of victims and survivors while encouraging reflection on how to prevent such atrocities in the future. By fostering dialogue and engagement, these commemorations underscore the enduring importance of remembrance and promote tolerance, empathy, and justice.
SUNDAY, JANUARY 26 | 3–4 PM Holocaust Remembrance Day Event
Join us for a solemn commemoration of International Holocaust Memorial Day, where we will honor the memory of the six million Jews and countless others who perished during the Holocaust. The event will feature moving testimonies, reflective readings, and a candlelighting ceremony, offering a space for remembrance and reflection on the lessons of this profound tragedy.
SUNDAY, APRIL 27 | 3–4 PM
Yom HaShoah Commemoration Event
Join us for an afternoon of remembrance and reflection in commemoration of Yom HaShoah, a day dedicated to the six million Jews murdered in the Holocaust. Speaker details to come. Location: Roth Family JCC
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 9 | 3–4 PM
Kristallnacht Commemoration Program
Gather with us to observe Kristallnacht (the Night of Broken Glass), also called the November Pogrom, marking the intensification of terror against the Jews in the Third Reich. Speaker details to come.
Community Connections
This after-hours program offers the public unique events and learning opportunities at the Center. Participants gain special access to collections, engage with guest speakers, and enjoy networking opportunities, creating an enriching environment for deeper exploration of Holocaust history and its contemporary relevance.
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 16 | 6:30 PM
Young Professionals Night
Join us for Young Professionals Night, a lively evening of networking and socializing while exploring the museum’s exhibits. Enjoy drinks, light snacks, and engaging conversations in a relaxed, fun atmosphere.
WEDNESDAY, MAY 7 | 6:30 PM
Behind the Vault: Special Collections Night
Join us for “Behind the Vault: Special Collections Night,” where guests can explore rare museum artifacts not typically on display, with curators on hand to answer your questions. Enjoy an evening of discovery accompanied by light snacks and drinks in a unique and intimate setting.
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 6 | 6:30 PM
“A Night at the Catskills” Comedy Show
Join us for a night at the Catskills, featuring local comedians, cocktails, and light snacks. Come dressed in your best retro Catskills attire and enjoy an evening of laughter, nostalgia, and community fun!
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 10
6:30–8:30 PM
Founders’ Day Community Night
Join us for a family-friendly Founder’s Day Community Night as we celebrate the founding of the Holocaust Center with food, activities, and a chance to reflect on our shared commitment to remembrance and education. Bring your loved ones for an evening of connection, learning, and community spirit.
Shown left: Florida liberator t/5 Oliver Briney’s wartime camera. Used during the U.S. Army liberation of KZ Mittelbau-Dora. 1945.
Crucial Conversations for a Unified Florida is a programming series addressing antisemitism and discrimination in Florida through engaging panels and keynotes. The events aim to unify communities by fostering dialogue, awareness, and strategies to combat intolerance statewide.
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 11 | 6:30–8 PM
Department of Justice “‘United Against Hate’ Initiative: Identifying, Reporting, and Preventing Hate Crimes” with the US Attorney Roger Handberg
Join us for an evening with US Attorney Roger Hanberg as he discusses the DOJ’s United Against Hate Community Outreach Program, which educates community members on identifying, reporting, and preventing hate crimes while fostering trust with law enforcement. United Against Hate offers valuable resources and promotes dialogue between law enforcement, community organizations, and the public, emphasizing the importance of reporting all hate-fueled incidents.
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 18 | 6:30–8 PM
Dr. Amra Sabic-El-Rayess: “Fighting Hate Crimes with Early Education”
Join us for an engaging lecture by Dr. Amra Sabic-El-Rayess, a survivor of the Bosnian Genocide and associate professor of practice at Teachers College, Columbia University, as she discusses the “Fight Hate Crimes with Early Education” Program. Originally developed by Columbia University’s International Interfaith Research Lab, this program centers on creating and sharing training methods to help educators promote inclusiveness and combat divisiveness, especially among young students.
Dismantling Hate Workshop
Dismantling Hate: Tackling Antisemitism Together is a comprehensive four-part workshop series that equips participants with the knowledge and tools to confront antisemitism in all its forms. Through interactive activities, presentations, and discussions, participants will explore its historical roots, contemporary manifestations, and effective strategies for addressing it in various contexts, while emphasizing the importance of allyship and collective action. Session speaker information to come.
SUNDAY, MARCH 23 | 11 AM–1 PM
Session 1: Understanding Antisemitism
Session 1 will explore the historical roots, manifestations, and contemporary forms of antisemitism.
SUNDAY, MAY 11 | 11 AM–1 PM
Session 2: Combatting Stereotypes and Myths
Session 2 will address common stereotypes, misconceptions, and myths about Jewish people and Judaism.
SUNDAY, AUGUST 10 | 11 AM–1 PM
Session 3: Digital Literacy and Online Hate
Session 3 will address the rise of online antisemitism and promote digital literacy skills to identify and combat hate speech online.
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 26 | 11 AM–1 PM
Session 4: Historical Remembrance and Memorialization
Session 4 will use the Holocaust and other instances of antisemitism in history to reflect on and honor the memory of victims and prevent future atrocities.
Women in the Holocaust: a Film Screening Series at the Winter Park Public Library presents films that highlight the unique experiences of women during the Holocaust, exploring themes of resilience, resistance, and survival. Each screening will be followed by discussions that provide historical context and encourage reflection on the impact and legacy of these women’s stories.
Location: Winter Park Public Library
SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 16 | 2 PM
Sophie Scholl: The Final Days
This powerful film portrays the last six days of Sophie Scholl, a young member of the anti-Nazi resistance group, the White Rose. The film follows her arrest, interrogation, and ultimate execution, capturing her unwavering courage and moral conviction in the face of tyranny.
SUNDAY, JUNE 8 | 2 PM
Monkey Business: The Adventures of Curious George’s Creators
This documentary explores the extraordinary lives of Hans and Margret Rey, the Jewish couple who created the beloved children’s character, Curious George. The film highlights their escape from Nazioccupied France, their creativity, and how their adventures shaped the iconic series.
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 7 | 2 PM
Bombshell: The Hedy Lamarr Story
This documentary uncovers the fascinating life of actress and inventor Hedy Lamarr. The film explores her groundbreaking contributions to technology, including her role in developing a frequency-hopping spread spectrum that laid the groundwork for modern wireless communication, alongside her Hollywood career.
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 7 | 2 PM
999 – The Forgotten Girls
This documentary sheds light on the untold stories of female Holocaust survivors, focusing on those who were imprisoned in the Ravensbrück concentration camp. The film explores their harrowing experiences, resilience, and the struggle to have their stories recognized and remembered.
Film Screening Series
Special Exhibits
Images from Spots of Light: To Be a Woman in the Holocaust by Yad Vashem
This year’s special exhibitions work to deepen our exploration of historical events, with a special focus on the unique experiences of women during the Holocaust. These exhibits serve as essential educational tools for understanding both the historical and contemporary issues of prejudice and intolerance.
JANUARY 16 – MAY 2
Escaped Denied: The Frank Family’s Struggle for Freedom
Escape Denied reveals the Frank family’s heartbreaking struggle to emigrate from Nazi-occupied Europe, highlighting their failed attempts to find refuge in the U.S. and Cuba, and the broader impact of immigration policies during that time.
Opening Reception: Thursday, Jan 16 | 6:30–8:30 PM
JUNE 5 – AUGUST 22
Margret Rey and the Making of Curious George
This exhibit uncovers the incredible story of Margret Rey, a Jewish woman who, with her husband, escaped Nazi-occupied France on handmade bikes, carrying the manuscript of Curious George. This exhibit highlights their resilience and creativity, offering a unique look into the origins of a beloved children’s classic.
Opening Reception: Thursday, June 5 | 6:30–8:30 PM
SEPTEMBER 4 – DECEMBER 19
Spots of Light: To Be a Woman in the Holocaust
Produced by Yad Vashem, Spots of Light gives expression to the unique voice of Jewish women in the Holocaust: their choices and responses in the face of the evil, and the brutality and relentless hardships they were forced to grapple with. The exhibition reveals the poignant personal stories behind the historical events, providing faces and voices within the darkness and silence. The exhibition features nine aspects of the Jewish woman’s daily life during the Holocaust: Love, Motherhood, Caring for Others, Womanhood, Resistance and Rescue, Friendship, Faith, Food, and the Arts.
Opening Reception: Thursday, Sept 4 | 6:30–8:30 PM
Kids and Families Sundays Center AT THE
Sundays at the Center is a free, familyfriendly program series for kids in grades K through 6. Join us year round for a fun and educational experience, featuring engaging story times and creative arts & crafts. Always at 12 PM.
JANUARY 19
Junior Reading Club
I Am Anne Frank
FEBRUARY 23
Junior Reading Club
I Choose to Speak Up
MARCH 30
Exclusive Docent-Led Tour
Escape Denied Exhibit for Kids
APRIL 20
Junior Reading Club
Be a Tree + Earth Day
Planting
MAY 25
Junior Reading Club
Curious George
JUNE 29
Exclusive Docent-Led Tour
Curious George
Exhibit for Kids and Scavenger Hunt
JULY 27
Junior Reading Club
The Whispering Train
AUGUST 24
Junior Reading Club
The Secret of the Village Fool
SEPTEMBER 28
Junior Reading Club Rosie
Revere, Engineer
OCTOBER 19
Junior Reading Club
The Patchwork Torah
NOVEMBER 23
Junior Reading Club
I Will Come Back for You
DECEMBER 14
Junior Reading Club
Hanukkah Bear
Fighting Spirit: Krav Maga and Jewish History
This year’s summer youth series uniquely engages young people in Holocaust education through interactive activities and discussions, with a special focus on Krav Maga and its connection to Holocaust history.
Hosted in partnership with Shaan Saar Orlando, this on-site physical training series inspires the next generation to embrace values of respect, awareness, and social responsibility. For ages 8-12. Registration required.
Session 1 | Sunday, May 18 | 1–2 PM
Session 2 | Sunday, June 22 | 1–2 PM
Session 3 | Sunday, July 20 | 1–2 PM
OUR MISSION
We use the history and lessons of the Holocaust to build a just and caring community free of antisemitism and all forms of prejudice and bigotry.
Through our extensive outreach of educational and cultural programs and exhibits, we use the lessons of the Holocaust to teach the principles of good citizenship to thousands of people of all ages and backgrounds each year.
Supported in part by
Cover images courtesy of Yad Vashem. Featured in Spots of Light: To Be a Woman in the Holocaust.
Top Left: Jewish woman with a wrinkled paper yellow star, marking her as a Jew, photographed by a German soldier, Kutno Ghetto, Poland, 1941.
Getty Images
Top Right: Story Hour Terezin ghetto, 1942-1945.
Pavel Fantl
Bottom Left: The Last Farewell Auschwitz-Birkenau, 1945. Zinovii Tolkatchev
Bottom Right: Flamenco Dancer Catharina Frank Terezin ghetto, 1944. Charlotte Buresova