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
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Memorial stones project featuring stones decorated by SWFL students
in honor of and in memory of local Holocaust Survivors
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SEPTEMBER 2022 NEWSLETTER | |
Message from Susan Suarez, President and CEO ... | |
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Holocaust Survivor Heinz Wartski often tells local students that “nothing good comes of hate.” Students are riveted as Heinz shares his story of how he and his family fled the Nazis, hid, joined up with Partisans in Italy, were imprisoned and eventually liberated,
and moved to the United States. He explains that hatred is dangerous, and it is up to them, the next generation, to be aware of this and strive to be Upstanders and speak against bigotry, hatred, and violence.
Antisemitism is on the rise around the world, and Southwest Florida is not immune. Hateful flyers have been circulated in neighborhoods and ugly signs have been waved at public gatherings.
Our work is to be sure that children learn to turn away from these hateful messages and to focus on promoting mutual respect and peace. We provide teachers with many free resources to help them teach the lessons of the Holocaust – field trips at the Museum and in-classroom lessons, the traveling Boxcar exhibit, PopUp Museum displays at schools, and Holocaust Survivor talks.
Our partnerships with public libraries, schools and universities, Gulfshore Playhouse, the Baker Museum, the Seminole Tribe, the NAACP, synagogues and churches, and so many more help to amplify our message and reach thousands of students, teachers, and others each year.
We are honored to announce a fitting memorial has been established for a special friend of the Museum - long-time Docent and supporter Steve Brazina, who passed away earlier this year. The annual "Movies That Matter Series" has been re-named “Movies That Matter SWFL - The Steve Brazina Memorial Film Series." As one of the founders of the series, Steve selected and negotiated the rights for all the films shown since the series began. The 2022 Series will continue Steve's legacy by highlighting important issues of our time. The three films will focus on an unusual Civil Rights partnership; the impact on families when mothers are incarcerated; and the impact of real-estate "redlining" on homebuyers. Series Sponsorships are available. Read below for more information on the films and to purchase tickets.
We have an exciting year ahead with an evening with Ken Burns about his newest film “the US and Holocaust”, tours and lectures with the Baker Museum’s special exhibit “Envisioning Evil”, our December Luncheon program on Wiesenthal, lectures by David Nelson, Stuart Mest and Ellaine Rosen, and much more.
The coming expansion of our facility will accommodate more exhibits, programs and students. Work should be complete next year and we can’t wait for you to see it!
Your involvement and generosity make this work and these partnerships possible. Thank you.
Shana Tova, Happy New Year!
Susan Suarez
President and CEO
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Recent Tribute and Memorial Gifts to the Museum ...
In Honor of:
In honor of Mark Blaskey from Estelle and Stuart Price
In honor of Maureen and Arnold Lerner from Wenda and Alan Behrens, Goldie and Lou Bertone, Lucy Kennedy, Mary and John B. Reisert, Carl Simpson, Despina Anton and Lynn Steinbrick
In honor of Carole and Rick Osvick from Edwin Lyons
In Memory of:
In memory of Murray Hendel from Kris Buck, Arline and Ron Kaplan, Anne and Peter Klein, Janeice Martin, Linda and Nicholas Penniman, Henny Porter, Gail and Mel Ufber
In memory of Judith Peltz from Estelle and Stuart Price
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.
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New Collaboration with
The Baker Museum ...
Envisioning Evil: “The Nazi Drawings” by Mauricio Lasansky
Exhibition period: September 17, 2022 through February 19, 2023
Location: The Baker Museum, first floor
We are very excited to announce a first-time collaboration with The Baker Museum - Artis-Naples on their new exhibit opening this month - Envisioning Evil: "The Nazi Drawings" by Mauricio Lasansky (1914-2012.) For more information on the Exhibit and Lectures, please click here.
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"Movies That Matter SWFL" Series
Returns …
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The Human Rights Film Coalition of SWFL will present its annual series of outstanding documentaries for community viewing and discussion. This year, the series will be 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.
Series Sponsors as of 8/31/22 are: Sustainer: Porter Wright Morris & Arthur LLP; Supporter: FineMark National Bank & Trust, Habitat for Humanity of Collier County; Patron: Ida and Jeff Margolis
Please click here to purchase tickets for the films.
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Join Us for a
Special Hybrid Event
in October ...
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The Museum and WGCU Public Media will co-host a special event about the new documentary by Ken Burns, Lynn Novick and Sarah Botstein, "The U.S. and the Holocaust." the event will take place on October 27, 2022 from 5:30pm - 7:30pm at the Hilton-Naples.
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2022-2023 Calendar of Events ...
If you enjoyed last year's programs, just look at the amazing programs scheduled for 2022-2023! These include an exciting, first-time collaboration with the Baker Museum in Naples, brand new special exhibits, and several interesting film and lecture series. Please "save these dates" and join us! Click below for the complete Calendar.
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Education Department News ... | |
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Education Department Expands ...
We are happy to announce a new member of the Education Department! She is Katie Butte, who just completed a Summer Internship with Curator Cody Rademacher. She will join Education Specialist David Nelson as Education Assistant in working with SWFL teachers, students and home school groups.
Earlier this year, Katie completed studies at the University of Potsdam in Germany, receiving a Masters in War and Conflict Studies. She also has a Masters in International War Studies from University College Dublin. Both degrees focused on Holocaust studies and 20th Century German history. Welcome, Katie!
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Schedule A Holocaust Education Program Now ...
Our Education Department's calendar is filling up with reservations for Fall 2022 and Spring 2023 Holocaust Education programming. Please contact Education Specialist David Nelson (David@hmcec.org) to arrange your on-campus programs and Museum Field Trips. David is also the contact if you are interested in hosting the Boxcar Exhibit, or one of our PopUp Museums.
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A Message From the Past ... | |
While doing research for Holocaust Education materials, Education Specialist David Nelson was searching online through the British National Archives for Holocaust Research. Among the files held in these Archives are those of the famous WWII Enigma code-breaking group based in Bletchley, England. In one of these files, David came across a reference to the "Hoefle Telegram." In 1943, this telegram had been sent to top Nazi officials including Eichmann. Unbeknownst to the German military, thousands of their wartime communications had been intercepted and deciphered by the Bletchley group. | |
Credit: https://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/education/resources/holocaust/hoefle-telegram/
This particular message contained seemingly innocuous lines of single letters, each followed by a large number. Once the Bletchley group deciphered the telegram, they forwarded it to British officials for review and action. As its meaning was unclear at the time, it was set aside and later filed away with other Enigma documents.
In 2000, files in the Archives were being declassified, and the telegram was found. With the additional information afforded by the passage of time, it was possible to further decode this message. It was now known that the single letters denoted concentration camps - "B" for Belzec, "M" for Majdanek, "L" for Lublin, and others. The number following each letter represented the number of people transported to each location. How were these terrible statistics compiled? From the mileage reimbursement requests submitted by German railway companies to the German government! How sad that this wasn't understood in 1943.
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Now Available - New Museum Education Programs Catalog ...
The Education Department has just published an updated catalog of the Holocaust Education Programs. Our primary focus is on Middle School through High School grades, but we also offer programs for Elementary School and College/University levels. We programs both on your campus and at the Museum. Click here for the new catalog for 2022-2023.
For more information and to schedule with a program for your Class or school, contact Education Specialist David Nelson at David@hmcec.org or 239-263-9022, ext. 205.
We look forward to working with you in the 2022-2023 school year!
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Boxcar Exhibit Schedule ... | |
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The Boxcar Exhibit will be at the Museum until September 3, when it moves to The Naples Depot Museum. The Depot Museum will host the Boxcar on September 17 for National Museum Day. It will remain there until the end of September.
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Schedule a Performance for Your School of Remember - The Story of Abe Price ...
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Gulfshore Playhouse Cast members portraying Abe Price and his Family | |
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Now you can bring the original Gulfshore Playhouse production of Remember - The Story of Abe Price by Jeffrey Binder to your school. School performances may be scheduled for the performance only or with the full 3-day educational experience:
- Day 1 - A pre-show lesson about Holocaust history from Holocaust Museum & Cohen Education Center Education Staff
- Day 2 - The 45-minute performance of "Remember" plus a post-show talk-back with the cast
- Day 3 - A post-performance activity designed to encourage students to reflect and discuss content, themes, and their response to the play.
The performance is suitable for 6th - 12th Grades in the subject areas of Holocaust Studies, Social Studies, Language Arts and Theatre. The play can be performed in a classroom or as an Assembly Performance for up to 200 students. Both options include the show and cast talkback.
Please note - the play Remember can also be offered on its own, or with the pre- and/or post-performance educational activities. For more information, please click here for a flyer.
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Exciting News to Share About The Play!!! ...
Last month, Steven Calakos, Director of Education at Gulfshore Playhouse (GP) shared major news about Remember. Because the play was so well-received at a recent local performance, GP decided to re-imagine our little educational play as a large-scale production. This will allow it to be performed on main stages at theatres around the country. Think what this means - now thousands more people will witness the transformative power of Abe Price's story.
To start this journey, Remember is one of the four plays included in GP's 9th Annual New Works Festival. This Festival brings together playwrights, actors, and directors to workshop never-before-produced plays. Click here for additional Workshop information and tickets. The staged reading of Remember - The Story of Abe Price is scheduled to be presented on September 17, 2022 at 7:30PM. We hope you'll be able to join us.
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Curatorial Department News ... | |
"Artifact of the Month" ... The Goethe Schule Banner
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Our "Artifact of the Month" September article was written by Summer Curatorial Intern and soon-to-be Education Assistant, Katie Butte.
With back-to-school on everyone’s minds, this month we had the exciting opportunity to work on a conservation and research project. The artifact pictured above is the Goethe Schule Banner from the Nancy Beights Collection in the Museum's Archives. This Nazi school banner was obtained in 1945 by American G.I. Edwin Wagner at a German prisoner of war camp.
The Goethe Schule was an Oberrealschule (a type of university preparatory high school), located in the Wilmersdorf neighborhood of Berlin. (Katie, who recently completed post-graduate studies in Germany, was surprised to find she recognized this school from her Master's thesis research!)
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SWFL Non-Profit Leaders Tour the Museum ... | |
Susan Suarez with Diann Keeys | |
L-R: Matthew Marzano, Jeri Goetz, April Donahue, Susan Suarez, Milana Strezeva, Diann and Vincent Keeys | |
Museum President and CEO Susan Suarez recently hosted a get-together at the Museum for leaders of the Non-Profit community. The purpose was to familiarize them with the Museum and the Educational programs we offer. For many, it was not only their first trip to the Museum's new location, but their first time in a Holocaust Museum. Beverages and light hors d'oeuvres were provided, and people toured the Museum at their leisure. | |
Current Exhibit in the Estelle and Stuart Price Gallery …
The Holocaust on World Stamps
September 1 - November 30, 2022
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The new exhibit in the Estelle and Stuart Price Gallery looks at the Holocaust through the lens of international commemorative stamps. This exhibit was created by Education Specialist David Nelson. These stamps were issued by a variety of nations - from Albania to Yemen - to honor Holocaust victims, Rescuers, Resistors, Diplomats who saved Jewish people and Liberators. Stamps portraying Camps and Ghettos are also included.
David also created a series of short videos on this subject, which can be found on the Museum's YouTube channel.
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GenShoah Is Back! ...
Hello, GenShoah Members - hope everyone is well and enjoyed the Summer!
After a brief hiatus because of COVID, GenShoah is gearing up again. We are looking forward to seeing everyone. We welcome your participation and ideas as we begin setting up programs for 2022-2023. If interested, please contact Shelly Lieb at liebro@gmail.com.
Also, if you know any 2Gs or3Gs who might be interested in joining the group, please let Shelly know that, too.
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This month we feature a story by Judit Price, “My Family in Hungary." Judit and her mother was saved during the Holocaust because they lived in the "Swedish property" housing set up by Swedish Diplomat Raoul Wallenberg. Click here to read.
We are grateful to the members of GenShoah of SWFL who have generously shared their family's experiences during the Holocaust for the "Portraits of Remembrance" project. The stories and photos they have submitted will be shared with local SWFL students as they learn the personal stories of the Holocaust. We thank Ida Margolis and Shelley Lieb for their leadership on this project.
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"Awesome Volunteer" Award ... | |
This month we recognize the two friendly faces you encounter entering the Museum on Thursday afternoons! These two friends serve as Front Desk Customer Relations Volunteers. Terry Galloway and Eileen Cohen joined us in late 2020.
On a very rainy afternoon (it was like a monsoon outside!), they helped a large group of guests enter and tour the Museum. As it was still pouring and all these people were milling about in the Lobby waiting for a break in the rain, Terry and Eileen entertained them. They engaged people conversation, talked about the books for sale, and had helped people fill out surveys supplied by the Convention and Visitors Bureau to find out what brings people to visit Collier County. More people filled out those surveys for Terry and Eileen in one afternoon than had done so in the previous month!
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L-R: Terry Galloway and Eileen Cohen with their "Awesome Volunteer" Award Certificates and Special 75th Anniversary editions of "The Diary of a Young Girl." | |
Every non-profit organization shares one thing in common - the need for Volunteers to help carry out their mission. We are very lucky to have the extraordinary group of Volunteers that we do.
Roz and Al Katz are our Wednesday afternoon Front Desk Customer Relations representatives. We asked them to share why they volunteer with us:
"While there are many volunteer opportunities available in the Naples area we were attracted to the opportunity to participate at the Holocaust Museum in a meaningful way. Greeting visitors and making them feel welcome here is only the beginning of our experience. We are constantly interacting with visitors from varied backgrounds. We enjoy the chance to learn about what brought them here and to expose them to the Museum’s mission of trying to eliminate hatred. All of this is a very rewarding experience for us.
Roz and Al Katz"
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We offer a variety of ways to tour the Museum to accommodate our Guests' schedules and interests. Read below for more information ... | | |
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Docent-led Tours ...
We offer a complimentary 1:30 Docent-led tour Wednesday through Sunday. No reservation required - it is first come first served up to a limit of 16 people. Tours are subject to Docent availability - you can call to confirm the Docent will be here on the day of your visit.
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Self-guided Walking and Audio Tours ...
You can tour the Museum at your own pace using our illustrated Gallery Guide map. We also offer a self-guided Audio Tour. Museum tablets and disposable, single-use Ear Buds are provided. You are also welcome to use your own phone and ear buds/headphones and download our Audio Tour App.
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Private Group Tours ...
Looking for an interesting activity for your community group, organization, family members or out-of-town guests? Book a Private Group of the Museum for 10-25 people. Group Tours are available Monday-Friday mornings when we're closed to the public, so you have the Museum to yourselves. In addition to a Docent-led tour, your Tour may also include a Survivor presentation (subject to their availability.) A light breakfast or lunch for your group can be ordered. For more information please contact Education Specialist David Nelson at David@hmcec.org or call 239-263-9200, ext. 205.
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Student Field Trips ...
A main feature of our Education mission - to teach the lessons of the Holocaust to inspire action against bigotry, hatred and violence - is to bring local middle school and high school students and teachers into the Museum. Here they learn not only the history of the Holocaust, but the personal stories of local SWFL Survivors and Liberators as well. In addition to touring the Museum, students also participate in an educational activity tied into their Holocaust Education studies. Student Field Trips are conducted in the mornings when the Museum is closed to the public. For more information on scheduling a Student Field Trip, please contact Education Specialist David Nelson at David@hmcec.org or call 239-263-9200, ext. 205.
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75th Anniversary Special Edition Diary of a Young Girl from Penguin Random House is now available ...
June marks the 75th anniversary of the original Dutch publication of Anne Frank's The Diary of a Young Girl, a remarkable book that has become a world classic. To mark the anniversary, there is a new edition being published which includes an introduction written by Nadia Murad, a Nobel Peace Prize laureate, UNODC Goodwill Ambassador, and human rights activist. Pick up a copy from your favorite bookseller!
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Thank you to Our Legacy Society Members for
Their Generous Support of Our Mission ...
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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
Frederic 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 will be honored in our newsletter (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 or Susan@hmcec.org.
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Survivor Memoirs ...
Several of the local Holocaust Survivors we have worked with over the years have very generously donated their books to help raise funds for the Museum's Education Programs. Each book is an amazing testament to what our Survivors and their family members experienced during the Holocaust. Copies are available here at the Museum, or can be mailed for a small shipping fee. Please contact Tim@hmcec.org if you wish to have copies mailed. Here are the titles available:
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Imperfect Memories - A Memoir of Escape from the Holocaust by Michael Eisenstadt
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Not A Trace of Smoke by Cesare Frustaci
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Memoirs of a Survivor: My Life Under Nazi Occupation by Abe Price (Abram Piasecki)
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Holocaust Survival of Hella and Heinz Heinz Wartski by Hella and Heinz Wartski
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We were happy to host a family from Paterson, New Jersey for a Museum visit.
They were on vacation and stopped in before heading back for the start of school.
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Visitor Comments ...
What did you like best about your visit?
In addition to our self-guided tablet tours, we offer complimentary Docent-led tours on a first-come, first served basis at 1:30pm on the days we are open. Here are some recent comments by guests who took those tours.
"All of it. The testimonials."
"Docents and visual exhibits."
"The Docent - Ron was so informative and filled with so many important facts and history about the Holocaust. What a valuable person to have at this Museum!"
"The Docent was fabulous!"
"This is a wonderful treasure! Very impactful. Ron was a great historian."
"Jan, our Docent."
"Loved the tour by Stanley and loved seeing the artifacts."
"Absolutely loved your museum! We learned so much - thank you!"
"Even though many people have read the book, The Diary of Anne Frank, it (referring to the Anne Frank photomosaic in our lobby) really draws people in to start with something they are familiar with. Perhaps interweave her story throughout the tour where it is applicable. Also talk about what St. Maximillian Kolbe did at Auschwitz. Horrible events give rise to heroes."
"New information learned."
"So moving, so sad and yet victory in their survival and memory."
"Do the Right Thing - words to live by for us all."
"Docent's discussion about the island of Zachynthos, Greece (all the Jews saved during occupation.)
"The displays and tour guide."
"All of it.
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Museum Guests Visit Kurt Kriszhaber Grave ... | |
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Rosemary and Graham Gibson from Victoria State in Australia visited the Museum earlier this year. While here, they heard the story about the efforts, led by Education Specialist David Nelson, to erect a grave stone in an Australian cemetery to honor Kurt Kriszhaber, one of the the "Dunera Boys." His grave had been unmarked since his death in 1946.
Thanks to the generous donors to the GoFundMe set up to raise funds for the stone, this was done in time for the 100th anniversary of Kurt's birth in Vienna.
The Gibsons said they would visit Kurt's grave when they got back home. They were kind enough to send us the above photos placing their stones in memory of Kurt. We thank them very much for their kind gestures. We were also pleased to see that other people have placed stones, there, too. Click here to read more about Kurt Kriszhaber's story.
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Visiting the Museum ...
Hours of Operation ...
The Museum is open to the public Wednesday through Sunday from 1:00pm - 4:00pm. The last guests are admitted at 3:00pm.
Admission ...
We suggest you pre-purchase your ticket on our website. This will guarantee your admission on the date/time you prefer. You will also receive a $2 discount on an Adult Admission ticket for doing so.
COVID Precautions Have Been Lifted ...
We have now lifted all COVID precautions. Timed-entry admission procedures will continue to ensure a more enjoyable guest experience.
Health and safety measures continue to be followed, such as the availability of hand-sanitizing stations. We continue to suggest wearing a mask for the protection of our Staff and your fellow guests. If you wish to wear a mask and need one, we have them available at no charge at the Front Desk.
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Thank Your For Supporting Our Mission ...
"To teach the lessons of the Holocaust to inspire action against bigotry, hatred and violence"
Since our founding, your generous support has allowed us to impact over half a million SWFL school children, teachers and the public. Each one has learned about the importance of respect and empathy for others.
Because of your engagement with our mission, we've been able to offer the SWFL community a wide variety of age-appropriate Holocaust Education Outreach programs.
Whether you have donated financial resources, become a Museum Member and Volunteer, together we will make our next 20 years even better!
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Museum Programming and Events are sponsored by the following organizations. We thank them for the support of our mission: | | |
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Sponsored in part by the State of Florida, Department of State, Division of Arts and Culture, the Florida Council on Arts and Culture, and the National Endowment for the Arts.
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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.
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We are honored to have received the awards below as a result of our visitors sharing their experience on review sites. Thank you so much for spreading the word about our Museum and work!
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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 mission, please contact Museum President and CEO Susan Suarez at Susan@HMCEC.org or call 239-263-9200, ext. 203.
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