4 minute read
2025-26 is going to be a busy year at the Museum!
Erin Blankenship President & CEO
As all of us at the Holocaust Museum & Cohen Education Center are preparing for what is sure to be a busy and exciting school year and programming season, we want to express our gratitude to local community members who have visited over the summer, as well as those who have come from other parts of Florida and across the U.S.
We were especially grateful to be visited by Florida State Representative Yvette Benarroch and her legislative and district aides. Benarroch toured the Museum and our education facilities with board members Felicia Anchor, Michael Feldman, Paula Filler, Chairman Emeritus Stuart Price, and me. During the tour, Board Member Felicia Anchor generously shared her family's experiences living in a displaced persons camp. As an Air Force Veteran, Rep. Benarroch was very interested in the Nordhausen flag display.
School year programs
We are excited for the 2025-26 school year! Many might not be aware, but school-aged children are our largest visitor group. Our Holocaust education programs are offered to middle and high schools throughout an eight county area and our education department has a busy year ahead! Bookings for our in-class programs, Museum field trips, and pop-up Museum exhibits are currently scheduled through Spring 2026.
Many thanks to the Suncoast Credit Union Foundation for its generous grant that covers Museum field trip transportation costs, allowing more schools to visit. Not only that, but the Museum is also able to offer free admission to students on these field trips because of the support it receives from our sponsors and community members, like you. If you are a teacher or know of a teacher who may be interested in booking a field trip, book now as reservations are filling up!
Due to increased demand, we’ve created an additional pop-up Museum display for schools and community organizations. Both have been updated with new panels and more artifacts. The Jack and F.E. Nortman Boxcar Educational Project Exhibit has begun its 2025-26 school year travels. It is fully booked through May 2026 and will be on display at a variety of schools and libraries across Southwest Florida.
Our Holocaust education course catalog was recently updated with the full array of resources we offer to educators and students. Active Southwest Florida middle and high school teachers interested in getting a copy should e-mail Education Department Manager Katie Butte at katie@hmcec.org.
Community engagement and facility rental
Do you know about our new community engagement programs? We provide Museum speakers, survivor and 2G presentations, and pop-up Museum exhibits. These programs are offered at no charge as part of our education outreach. Our Herbert H. Schiff Classroom is available to community groups for event and meeting rentals. For more information, please contact Community Engagement Manager Julie Cohen at Julie@hmcec.org.
The Luncheon
Scheduled for Wednesday, Dec. 3, 11:30 a.m.-2 p.m. at the Vineyards Country Club, the Luncheon is the Museum’s December benefit event and will feature a special program with acclaimed photographer Gillian Laub, creator of the “Live2Tell” photographic project featuring Holocaust survivor portraits. Some of her photos were uniquely displayed in New York City on building facades and the Brooklyn Bridge. The story was featured on the CBS Sunday Morning show. Tickets to The Luncheon are $200 and sponsorships are available. Please contact donor@hmcec.org for more information.
Save the dates
Please save the dates for our upcoming Fall 2025 programs. The “Movies That Matter Steve Brazina Memorial Film and Discussion Series” returns in October for its 8th year. This year, the programs will take place at the Museum on Oct. 23, Oct. 30, and Nov. 6. To find out more about the film series, check out the special article on page 22.
Additional fall public programs
• On view Sept. 9-Dec. 15 in the Estelle and Stuart Price Gallery: Painting the Irena Sendler Story with original artwork created by Artist/Illustrator Bill Farnsworth Monday, Nov. 3: Member reception with Artist/Illustrator Bill Farnsworth in connection with the current special exhibition of his works
• Sunday, Nov. 9: Annual Community Kristallnacht Remembrance
• Wednesday, Dec. 3: The Luncheon winter fundraising event featuring guest speaker and photographer Gillian Laub
Looking ahead, please save the date for our annual spring fundraising event, Triumph 2026, on March 4, 2026!
I look forward to seeing you at the Museum and our fall 2025 programs and events!
