Summer at the Museum

Susan Suarez, President & CEO

The Holocaust Museum & Janet G. and Harvey D. Cohen Education Center recently elected three new members to its 2022-2023 Board of Directors: Alan Englander, Dottie McGovern and Jay Sterns. They will join the following directors who are continuing their terms: Stuart Price, chairman; Frederic Roth, vice chair; Hymie Akst, treasurer; Richard Yovanovich, secretary; Stephen Strome, immediate past chairman; Herb Berkeley, past chairman; and directors Larry Baer, Nancy Barbounis, Janet G. Cohen, Michael Feldman, Maureen Lerner, Lorelei Meeker, Stuart Mest, Robert Nossen and Ashley Solomon. We thank departing 2021-2022 directors Rosalee Bogo and Gary Lencher for their many years of service and support of our mission.

Capital campaign and museum expansion plans

I am pleased to announce the start of our second capital campaign, “Growing for the Future – 20 Years of Teaching Mutual Respect.” This effort will build on our successful first campaign, which, through the generous lead gift of Janet G. Cohen and other wonderful donors, enabled us to move to our present, awardwinning location.

Summer camp group

Private tour

The current campaign will fund several new goals, primarily the creation of a new “North Wing” of the Museum by joining together two additional suites we now own. The enlarged footprint, with new exhibit and classroom/meeting spaces, will allow us to better serve visitors, local groups and the students and teachers who participate in our Holocaust education programs.

I invite you to join us as we “grow for the future.” Naming opportunities are now available for the North Wing (lead gift), Auschwitz Gallery, exhibit spaces, displays and more. Please contact me for more information on this exciting next phase — Susan@HMCEC.org or 239-263-9200, ext. 203.

Museum visits, field trips and private group tours up

We’ve seen a noticeable increase in Museum visitors, student field trips and private group tour numbers as COVID- 19 restrictions lifted. Summer camp programs, such as New Horizons, are also returning to schedule field tripsto the Museum. Private group tour bookings have also increased as summer vacations begin.

Are you looking for an interesting activity for your family, friends or organization this summer? Why not book your own private group tour of the Museum? These docent-led tours are held in the mornings when the Museum is closed to the public, allowing you plenty of time to ask questions and explore the exhibits. We can customize the tour to fit your schedule and even provide a light breakfast if you wish. Please contact Education Specialist Dave Nelson for more information and to schedule a private group tour — David@HMCEC.org or 239-263-9200, ext. 205

New special exhibit this summer

Don’t miss the new special exhibit in the Estelle and Stuart Price Gallery — “Art After the Holocaust.”

The exhibit, on display through Aug. 31, presents a cross-section of Holocaustthemed artwork held in our permanent collection. A variety of media are shown, including:

• Black-and-white photographic images of contemporary Auschwitz by Arnold M. Hodes

• Pencil drawings of pre-Holocaust life in Eastern Europe by Sander Gordon Bergman

• Oil paintings created by Bill Farnsworth for the children’s books “Irena Sendler and the Children of the Warsaw Ghetto”

• Woodcut print portrait of Elie Wiesel by Sr. Mary Charles McGough

Summer teacher workshop

The Museum will sponsor a one-day Summer Holocaust Education Teacher Workshop in August before school starts. The theme will be “Holocaust 1942 – From Bad to Worse.” All active middle- and high-school grade educators are invited. There is no charge for the workshop and complimentary light breakfast and lunch will be provided. Teachers will also be provided with Holocaust education classroom resources for use during the next school year.

The workshop is funded courtesy of a generous grant from the Merrill Kuller Educator Series. For more information and to register, please contact Education Specialist David Nelson at David@HMCEC.org or call 239-263- 9200, ext. 205. If you know any teachers who might be interested, please feel free to share this information.

“Save the date”

The popular “Movies That Matter” series will return this October! Films will be shown on three consecutive Wednesdays: Oct. 19 (via Zoom), Oct. 26 (in person at Paragon Theaters) and Nov. 2 (in person at Paragon Theaters.) Check our website in August for additional information on the films and discussion panel details.

Wishing you and your families a safe and happy July 4th holiday. I look forward to seeing you at the Museum this summer!