The Holocaust Museum & Janet G. and Harvey D. Cohen Education Center
975 Imperial Golf Course Blvd., Suite 108, Naples, FL 34110
Info@HMCEC.org 239-263-9200 www.HMCEC.org
|
|
Please note:
The Museum will be closed to the public
from May 8th until approximately July 10th
as we complete construction and installation of
exhibits and displays in our new North Wing.
During this time, Staff can be reached by email. For general questions, please contact us at
Please watch our website for updates on re-opening!
|
|
Message from Susan Suarez, President and CEO ... |
|
North Wing Update ...
We are excited to announce the last phase of construction and installation of the new North Wing galleries and exhibits is underway. On May 9th, PBS Construction will break through the wall joining our current and new spaces. Two new large openings will be created. Once this phase of construction is done, Capitol Museum Services will arrive to begin the installation of the new exhibits. We anticipate being able to re-open to the public approximately July 10th - please check our website for updates. A Grand Opening event will take place in November.
"Save The Date" for Fall "Movies That Matter" Series ...
The Fall 2023 "Movies That Matter - Steve Brazina Memorial Film Series" will take place on the following dates: Wednesday, October 18, Wednesday, October 25 and Wednesday, November 1. The film and discussion series will present three documentaries on important societal and human rights issues which impact our nation and Florida. More information on film titles and Discussion Panelists will be sent this summer. We look forward to your participation!
|
|
Thanks for Your Vote!
Gulfshore Life Magazine just released its May "Best of the Gulfshore 2023" issue. The Museum is honored to have been voted once again as a finalist for "Best Museum - Collier County." Thank you to Gulfshore Life readers and everyone who voted for us!
|
|
Recent Tribute and Memorial Gifts to the Museum ...
In Honor of:
In honor of Maureen and Arnold Lerner from Barry Frank and Susan Regenstein
In honor of Susan Suarez by Steve Alley
In Memory of:
In memory of Richard McIntyre from Dennys Grady
In memory of Mort Porter from Henny Porter
In memory of Susan Wood from Patti Bloom
In memory of Tom Nigolian from Phyllis and Stephen Strome
To Make an "In Honor of" or an "In Memory of" Donation ...
If you would like to make an "In Honor Of" or an "In Memory Of" donation to remember friends or loved ones, you can easily do so online on our website - just click here. We will send a card with your personal message to the individual/family member you designate, and you will receive a separate acknowledgement of your donation. Thank you to those who have generously made these gifts.
|
|
Thank you to Our Legacy Society Members for
Their Generous Support of Our Mission ...
The Legacy Society has been created to honor friends who affirm their commitment to our Holocaust Museum & Cohen Education Center through their will or other planned gift. Participation in the Legacy Society represents an investment in the future of our Museum and its mission – to teach the lessons of the Holocaust to inspire action against bigotry, hatred and violence.
Anonymous
Hymie Akst
Carla Benninga
Howard and Dorothy Berger
Herb Berkeley
Irving Berzon*
Patti and Pete* Bloom
Rosalee and Jerry Bogo
Joyce Rogol Feldstein *
Richard and Barbara Glowacki
Shelli Halper
Homer Helter *
Merrill Kuller *
Maureen Lerner
Suzanne C. Low
Daniel and Jean Mann
Candace Patton
Estelle and Stuart Price
Sandra and Fredric Roth
Michael Seaman *
Stephen Strome
Peter Thomas *
* deceased
Gifts from Legacy Society members provide ongoing support to create and host special exhibits, educational programs, artifact conservation, Museum admission costs for students and more.
You can become a member of the Legacy Society by taking any of the following steps:
- Name the Museum as a beneficiary in your will or trust
- Name the Museum as a beneficiary of your retirement plan or life insurance policy
- Make a gift to the Museum that provides you, or someone you name, with income for life
- Make a gift to the Museum through a charitable gift annuity or charitable remainder trust
Just include the full name and address of the Museum in your will or gift documents: The Holocaust Museum & Cohen Education Center, 975 Imperial Golf Course Blvd., Suite 108, Naples, FL 34110.
Your generosity is greatly appreciated. Legacy Society members are honored in our newsletters (unless you prefer anonymity) and at a special gathering each year. For more information, please contact Museum President and CEO Susan Suarez at 239-263-9200, ext. 203 or e-mail Susan@hmcec.org.
|
|
PBS Contractors Benefit for the Museum ...
Over 200 people attended the invitation-only "Russell's Barbecue" event held recently by PBS Contractors to benefit the Museum's Education programs. PBS Founder Russell Budd cooked and served his delicious signature BBQ items, Michelbob's Restaurant provided the side dishes, and gelato company Jeremiah's Ice provided desserts.
We are honored to have been a beneficiary of this semi-annual event which raised nearly $7,000 for the Museum. Past beneficiaries of Russell’s Barbecue include Collier County 100 Club, Wounded Warriors of Collier County, Humane Society Naples, David Lawrence Centers, Golden PAWS Assistance Dogs, Collier-Lee Honor Flight, and others.
PBS Contractors is a long-time supporter of the Museum’s mission. Their award-winning construction of our permanent home made them the natural choice to work to construct our new North Wing. Russell noted “The Holocaust Museum & Cohen Education Center is an integral part of our community, and PBS Contractors is honored to have been a part of this historical project. For Russell’s Barbecue, we select a different beneficiary whose mission aligns with the PBS purpose statement, which includes Building Better Lives for our Community, and the museum is deeply committed to Southwest Florida and inspiring action against bigotry, hatred, and violence.”
We thank Russell Budd and PBS Contractors for all they have done for the Museum and our SWFL community.
|
|
PBS Contractors Founder Russell Budd
with his special BBQ smokers.
|
|
Thank you, PBS Contractors - you helped raise nearly $7,000 for Museum Holocaust Education programs! |
|
Museum Display at the entrance of the event. L-R: Julie Cohen, Susan Suarez, Bailey Reum (Photo credit: Helen Werner)
|
|
L-R: Susan Suarez, PBS Contractors CEO Tim Dupre, Museum Board Members Lorelei Meeker and Maureen Lerner, and PBS Contractors Supervisor Ed Arnolde
(Photo credit: Helen Werner)
|
|
Speakers PBS CEO Tim Dupre, Museum President and CEO Susan Suarez, and Museum Volunteer Bailey Reum |
|
Museum Board Members Alan Englander and Maureen Lerner
with Museum Volunteer Bailey Reum
|
|
Nuremburg Prosecutor Ben Ferencz Passes Away ...
Ben Ferencz, who as a 27-year-old lawyer served as a prosecutor at the Einsatzgruppen Trials, recently passed away at 103. He was the last one of the Nuremberg prosecutors still alive. Mr. Ferencz was assigned to prosecute the notorious Einsatzgruppen case, which has been called the biggest murder trial in history because of the number of victims. Twenty-two Nazis, including six generals, who organized, directed and often joined roaming SS extermination squads, were tried and convicted of war crimes and crimes against humanity.
|
|
Ben Ferencz at the Nuremberg Trials
(Photo credit: Ben Ferencz Archives)
|
|
Ben Ferencz speaking at the UN
(Photo credit: Ben Ferencz Archives)
|
|
"Movies That Matter - Steve Brazina Memorial Film Series"
"APART" Zoom Panel Discussion
Wednesday, May 3,2023
4:00pm - 5:00pm (Eastern U.S. and Canada)
RSVP Required to receive Film Link and Zoom link
The final film of this season's "Movies That Matter - Steve Brazina Memorial Film Series" will be "APART." The documentary looks at the impact on women incarcerated on drug-related charges and their families. "APART" follows Tomika, Amanda and Malika as they try to restore family life during and after their prison terms.
Zoom Panelists are Tammy Franklin, Associate Director, Academy Programs at Prison Fellowship, and Dawn Kolderman, Senior Clinical Director at Avow. Tammy Franklin notes that Prison volunteers shaped her life. Today, Tammy is bringing that same ray of hope back to incarcerated women. Dawn supervises Avow's counseling program for children with incarcerated parents.
How to Watch the Film ...
A link to watch "APART which is good through May 3rd, will be sent to all RSVPs. The Zoom link will be sent 24 hours before the program. To RSVP, please click the button below. We hope you'll join us for this important Zoom program.
|
|
Many thanks to our "Movie That Matter" Series Sponsors for this year:
Sustainer:
Porter Wright Morris & Arthur, LLP
Debbie Laites and Ben Z. Post
Supporter:
Rhonda Brazina
FineMark National Bank & Trust
Habitat for Humanity of Collier County
Patron:
Marcy Aizenshtat
Monica and Allan Goodwin
Barbara Kanter
Jenny and Mel Kaplan
Ida and Jeff Margolis
Marci Margolis
Alys Morande
|
|
Each year, the Human Rights Film Coalition of SWFL presents the "Movies That Matter" series of outstanding documentaries for community viewing and discussion. This year, the series was re-named “Movies That Matter SWFL - The Steve Brazina Memorial Film Series” honoring the late Steve Brazina who passed away earlier this year. Steve was instrumental in founding the series and arranging film selections since its inception. |
|
***SAVE THE DATE FOR "MOVIES THAT MATTER" THIS FALL***
October 18
October 25
November 1
More information on films, panelists, tickets and Sponsorships will be available in the coming months. We hope you'll join us next season!
|
|
"A Small Light" ...
On Monday, May 1 at 8:00pm Eastern, the National Geographic channel will premiere the limited series, "A Small Light." The series is based on the inspiring true story of Miep Gies, who helped Otto Frank hide his family. New episodes will air on Mondays at 9 and stream on Disney+ and Hulu. (www.nationalgeographic.com)
|
|
Education Department News ... |
|
Another incredibly busy year is coming to a close for our Education Department Staff and Volunteers under the direction of Education Specialist David Nelson. They have worked with student groups at the Museum, provided Holocaust Education programs in classrooms, installed customized PopUp Museums, transported the Boxcar Exhibit to schools and public libraries across SWFL, and coordinated school performances of "Remember: The Story of Abe Price," the Gulfshore Playhouse play created with the Museum. In addition, they presented an informative all-day Teacher Workshop attended by elementary, middle, high school and college teachers, worked with Adult Group Tours, and general public visitors.
As a result, this year Museum programming has impacted over 11,000 students and teachers. Combining these figures with people who have visited the Museum and attended special Museum programs in 2022-2023, the Museum has served more than 17,500 people!
These individuals will have an enormous impact going forward. By sharing the important lessons of the Holocaust with families, friends, co-workers and communities, many more people will hopefully be inspired to take action against bigotry, hatred and violence.
New Student Activities ...
Education Assistant Katie Butte has created some new Student Activity materials for Museum The booklet has multiple choice questions, fill in the blanks, and short answer response sections.
|
|
An example of a Student Activity booklet given to 8th grade and high school students to complete after a tour of the Museum. It includes multiple choice questions, fill in the blanks and short answer response sections. There is also a word-search puzzle for fun. |
|
A "Seek and Find" activity sheet encourages 5th -7th grade students to thoroughly explore the Museum to find the answers to the clues given. They can work in pairs/groups or individually depending on the size of the group. |
|
Field Trip Surveys ...
We are surveying teachers who have made Field Trips to the Museum this semester. Questions include what did you/your students like best about the visit, and what are your post-visit impressions of the impact of the trip. In particular, as a result of this experience, do they feel their students have a better understanding and knowledge of the Holocaust, and have they seen a shift post-Field Trip in students' views on discrimination, prejudice and hatred. We will share the results in a future newsletter.
|
|
Recent Field Trips ...
Here are some photos of recent student visitors to the Museum. SWFL Christian Academy also brought us some delicious brownies and a card when they visited.
|
|
Students and teachers from SWFL Christian Academy
brought us some delicious brownies and a nice card
|
|
Hosting Out-of-Town Visitors this Summer?
Schedule a visit to the Museum from mid-July on! You'll share a memorable experience as well as being among the first to see our new North Wing!
We are open to the public in the afternoons from 1:00pm - 4:00pm, with the last guests admitted at 3:00pm. Take Docent-led tour at 1:30pm, or use our self-guided audio tours or walk-through maps. Pre-book your tickets on our website - this guarantees entry at your preferred time, and saves you $2 on an adult admission ticket.
Online reservations guarantee admission at your preferred time on a busy day; walk-up guests will be admitted if space is available. And, you save $2 off the admission price.
|
|
Docent Stuart Mest speaks to a Private Tour Group in Gallery One |
|
Private Tours are available for groups of 10-25 people. These are offered in the mornings when we are closed to the public, with a variety of options to meet your interests and schedules. For more information, please contact Education Specialist David Nelson at David@hmcec.org or call 239-263-9200, ext. 205.
|
|
We recently hosted residents of Vi at Bentley Village for a Docent-led tour. Members of the Greater Naples Leadership group also visited. Their programs consisted of a Docent-led Tour, light lunch, and presentation by Stuart Mest, M.D. on the subject of "Eugenics, Experiments, Ethics: Nazi Germany, Japan and the United States." |
|
|
|
Greater Naples Leadership |
|
SWFL Holocaust Survivor Memoirs ... |
|
We have been honored to work with many Holocaust Survivors over the years. They have generously given of their time as Education Volunteers, speaking to students at the Museum and in schools, as Museum Speakers at community organization events, and as Docents and Volunteers at the Museum. Each one has made a lasting impact on others by sharing their family's experiences during the Holocaust.
Several Survivors have written their memoirs and donated copies to the Museum to help raise funds for our Holocaust Education Programs. Copies are available in our Lobby or can be mailed for a small shipping fee. Please contact Info@hmcec.org if you wish to have copies mailed. Current titles available are:
Imperfect Memories - A Memoir of Escape from the Holocaust
by Michael Eisenstadt
Not A Trace of Smoke
by Cesare Frustaci
Memoirs of a Survivor: My Life Under Nazi Occupation
by Abe Price (Abram Piasecki)
Holocaust Survival of Hella and Heinz Heinz Wartski
by Hella and Heinz Wartski
|
|
Oral Visual History Project ...
We invite you to discover the personal stories of SWFL residents who survived the Holocaust, participated in Liberation, were rescuers or witnesses to the Holocaust.
Our Oral Visual History Project has been recording these important testimonies so that future generations learn what happened from those who were there. At its core, oral history is about listening and connecting through a person’s lived experience. We are grateful to all those who shared their experiences with this project, allowing us to preserve the important stories of the past for those of us today and future generations.
Click here to see Survivor Testimony clips from the project, and click here for Liberator Testimony clips.
|
|
The Boxcar Exhibit will be on display at the Punta Gorda Library during May.
The Boxcar Exhibit is on loan to the Museum from F.E. and Jack Nortman and The Boxcar Foundation. To schedule a Boxcar visit to your school, library or organization, please contact Education Specialist David Nelson at 239-263-9200 or David@hmcec.org.
|
|
|
|
Thank you, Flint & Doyle!
We are so grateful to Manny of Flint & Doyle Transportation for his expertise in moving the Boxcar Exhibit all across SWFL. He has been doing the job since its very first trip from the Museum to a school in 2008! He is able to perfectly maneuver the Boxcar trailer through the craziest of spaces, in a smooth and efficient way. We cannot thank him enough for taking such good care to move this important artifact!!!
|
|
Manny and the Boxcar on the way
to Lehigh Acres Middle School
|
|
We are so grateful to Manny of Flint & Doyle Transportation for his expertise in moving the Boxcar Exhibit all across SWFL. He has been doing the job since its very first trip from the Museum to a school in 2008! He is able to perfectly maneuver the Boxcar trailer through the craziest of spaces, in a smooth and efficient way. We cannot thank him enough for taking such good care to move this important artifact!!! |
|
Curatorial Department News ... |
|
Even though season is winding down for others, Curator Cody Rademacher is still very busy preparing the Museum for its temporary construction closure. In particular, he must move all the materials on or nearby the adjoining wall area where PBS Contractors will be breaking through for two new North Wing entries.
The Two Regimes exhibit has now come to the end of its loan period and has been deinstalled. Kelly Bowen from the Two Regimes organization graciously picked the materials up on her way back from visiting family in the Southwest Florida area.
In addition, Cody is working on the planning for our three upcoming exhibits in 2023-2024. The first is Forgeries and the Holocaust. It is being created in-house, and will utilize a variety of materials donated to the Museum. The exhibit will be on display from July through December, 2023. The second exhibit will be Stitching History from the Holocaust will be on loan from the Jewish Museum Milwaukee. This unique exhibit will include delicate fabric artifacts, and be on display January - March, 2023. The final exhibit for the year will be Lawyers without Rights: Jewish Lawyers in Germany under the Third Reich. It will be on loan from the American Bar Association, and on display from April through June, 2024.
|
|
Volunteer News ...
We recently hosted an end-of-season "thank you" for our Volunteers. During the meeting, Museum President and CEO Susan Suarez thanked everyone for their service, and presented the "Awesome Award" to our youngest Volunteer, high school senior Bailey Reum. Bailey works at the Front Desk and as a Docent with student and adult groups. She will be attending Brandeis University next year.
In addition to a delicious breakfast and chance to chat with each other, everyone was treated to a "sneak peek" of the North Wing project. Curator Cody Rademacher led a tour explaining how space will be structured and where the new entry points between the existing Museum and new space will be placed.
Following the tour, there was an information session for New Volunteers about various opportunities at the Museum.
Many thanks to all our Volunteers - Docents, Educators, Front Desk Relations, Speakers and Board Members. We couldn't carry out the Museum's mission without your support and valued friendship! We are grateful for all you do!
|
|
Volunteer "Thank You" Breakfast |
|
Volunteer "Thank You" Breakfast |
|
Museum President and CEO Susan Suarez presents Volunteer Bailey Reum with the "Awesome Award" for her services to the Museum this year |
|
Standing in what will be the
Auschwitz Gallery
|
|
Curator Cody Rademacher showing the group around the new North Wing. |
|
New Volunteer Information Session |
|
Yom HaShoah Commemoration ...
This year's Yom HaShoah Community Commemoration was held in the new Nina Iser Jewish Cultural Center. GenShoah of SWFL held a reception for Survivors and their family members prior to the start of the event.
The program began with Survivors, 2nd Generation, 3rd Generation and 4th Generation representatives lighting candles in memory of the victims of the Holocaust.
Gulfshore Playhouse presented a special performance of "Remember - The Story of Abe Price." The play was written by Jeffrey Binder and created jointly with the Museum and Gulfshore Playhouse. The play is presented in local schools as part of Holocaust Education. The play tells the story of late Holocaust Survivor and Naples resident, Abe Price. In the audience for the performance were members of Abe's family.
|
|
Local area Holocaust Survivors gather together
to remember the victims of the Holocaust
|
|
Second Generation members |
|
The cast of "Remember - The Story of Abe Price" |
|
Herb Price speaking to the audience following the performance |
|
Sid Price answering a question
from the audience
|
|
The Holocaust Museum & Cohen Education Center recently received a request from Eric J. Thomason of the Claims Conference. The organization is starting a new social media campaign called #OurHolocaustStory. Its aim is “…to continue to hear the voices of Survivors so that the past does not become our future.”
Holocaust Survivors are being asked to record a brief overview of their family's Holocaust experience. The Conference would like to include family members from 2nd, 3rd, and 4th generations who would pledge to carry this story forward to help to never forget the horrors of the Holocaust.
|
|
2G Story by GenShoah SWFL Member Steve Fischer ...
|
|
GenShoah SWFL member Steve Fischer wrote about the role a 19th century portrait played in reuniting a family separated by the Holocaust. Click here to read "My Father, Erich Fischer, M.D."
|
|
2G Stories: "Portraits of Remembrance" Project ...
The above is an example of stories created by GenShoah SWFL members for the "Portraits of Remembrance" Project. Written to be shared with SWFL students in our Education programs, the stories share and preserve the important personal stories of families affected by the Holocaust.
If you are interested in submitting a story about your family's Holocaust experiences, e-mail genshoahswfl@hmcec.org for more information. The writing should be for a middle school-age audience, and be approximately 500-700 words in length. We request you also include appropriate geographical and accurate historical references, a personal highlight and photograph. We have posted the stories on our website "Education - Resources."
|
|
Information about GenShoah of SWFL ...
GenShoah SWFL is a group for children of Holocaust Survivors, and anyone interested in the mission of GenShoah of SWFL:
· promotion of Holocaust education and human rights
· preservation of history and memories of the Holocaust
· the connection of the Second Generation with one another
· support of the Holocaust Museum & Cohen Education Center
For more information about GenShoah SWFL, please contact genshoahswfl@hmcec.org. GenShoah SWFL Co-Chairs are Shelley Lieb and Ida Margolis.
|
|
Arnold Schwarzenegger's Visit to Auschwitz Concentration Camp ... |
|
Former California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, whose late father had been a Nazi Party member, recently spoke about the impact a visit to Auschwitz. While there, he met with a woman who was a Holocaust Survivor. As he struggled with the weight of what he had seen, he said that she was a light in the darkness for him. His alarm at the increase of antisemitic feelings and incidents in our country and around the world prompted him to record and post a brief video. He recorded his thoughts and wishes for those struggling with hate. Click here to view "This is my message to anyone who has chosen the path of hate. Please listen."
|
|
Around the Museum ...
Recent Visitor Comments ...
"What did you like best about your visit?"
- "Personal recollections of Docent"
- "Thank you to our guide Irv; so much history in so little time. Thank you!"
- "Excellent Presentations and Staff - keep up the great work."
- "Everything. Very friendly staff."
- "The testimonials of Survivors"
- "Glad you are keeping the history of the Holocaust alive. People need to believe that it happened."
- "The ease of viewing, the tablet was excellent."
- "Have visited several Holocaust museums. Though this museum is smaller in comparison, it provided all the info to understand the depth of the horror Hitler precipitated which lasted for so many years."
- "Terry at the main desk is perfect. I felt very welcome."
- "Ron A. was a wonderful docent and added to our experience of your excellent museum."
- "The quotes and stories"
|
|
Thank You to the following organizations for sponsoring
Museum Programming and Events ...
|
|
Funding has been provided to the Holocaust Museum & Janet G. and Harvey D. Cohen Education Center from Florida Humanities through the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) as part of the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021. NEH is committed to Sustaining the Humanities through the American Rescue Plan.
Any views, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed by the Holocaust Museum & Janet G. and Harvey D. Cohen Education Center, do not necessarily represent those of Florida Humanities or the National Endowment for the Humanities.
|
|
Public Recognition Awards ... |
|
|
|
We are honored to have received these awards as a result of Museum visitors sharing their experience on review sites. Thank you so much for spreading the word about our Museum and work! |
|
|
The Guidestar Gold Transparency Seal signifies to potential Donors that an organization is in good standing and worthy of their support. We are honored to have received this distinction.
|
|
For more information on how you can support the Museum's Education mission, please contact Museum President and CEO Susan Suarez at 239-263-9200, ext. 203, or e-mail Susan@hmcec.org. Thank you!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
