The Holocaust Museum & Janet G. and Harvey D. Cohen Education Center

For more than 20 years, the Holocaust Museum & Janet G. and Harvey D. Cohen Education Center has partnered with Southwest Florida students, teachers, residents and visitors to promote respect and empathy for others. Our mission is “to teach the lessons of the Holocaust to inspire action against bigotry, hatred and violence.” We encourage people to become “Upstanders” — to act when they encounter instances of bigotry and hatred.

Since 2001, over 500,000 people have been impacted by the Museum’s programs, exhibits and events. With visitors from all 50 states, the District of Columbia and 50 countries, our message about the importance of respect has been shared across the globe.

As a long-time “Designated Site of the Florida Department of Education’s Commissioner’s Task Force on Holocaust Education,” we offer age-appropriate programming with a concentration on middle- and high-school grades in five Southwest Florida counties. Through classroom instruction, museum field trips, and pop-up museum displays, we provide the information teachers need to meet the state mandate on teaching the Holocaust. Annual teacher workshops are funded through a generous legacy gift of the Merrill Kuller Educator Series.

The Museum’s Boxcar Exhibit, on loan to the Museum from F.E. and Jack Nortman and the Boxcar Foundation,

also provides an important teaching opportunity for students and the public at various sites in Southwest Florida. Our affiliate, GenShoah of SWFL, creates programming with children and grandchildren of Holocaust survivors.

Admission

Prepurchase of timed-entry admission tickets is strongly suggested. Prepurchase guarantees admission on the date and time slot of your choice. Walk-up visitors will be accommodated if capacity permits. Tickets are available on the Museum’s website, www.HMCEC.org. Closed on major U.S. holidays.

Tour Programs

We offer a choice of Museum tours — a daily docent-led tour at 1:30 p.m. for up to 16 people on a first-come, first-serve basis, self-guided audio tours, and a map. All are included in the admission price. Private group tours and school field trips are available by appointment only. For more information, contact Education Specialist David Nelson at David@ HMCEC.org or call 239-263-9200.

2023 Events, Programs and Exhibits International

Holocaust Remembrance Day, Jan. 27, 2023 The Museum will commemorate International Holocaust Remembrance Day on Jan. 27 with a special film presentation from 11 a.m. to noon. We will also offer complimentary admission from 1 to 4 p.m. The last guests will be admitted at 3 p.m. Advance reservations are required. Visit www.hmcec.org to reserve your place.

Lecture Series – “Nazi-Looted Art –Unfinished Business” January and February 2023

Museum Docent Ellaine Rosen brings back her popular series, “Nazi-Looted Art – Unfinished Business.” The fivepart series will be held at the Museum from 2 to 4 p.m. on Jan. 16, Jan. 23, Jan. 30, Feb. 6 and Feb. 13. The lectures are free but a suggested minimum donation of $18 is greatly appreciated! Advance registration is required. Please visit www.HMCEC.org to sign up.

“Movies That Matter – The Steve Brazina Memorial Series” presents a Zoom panel Discussion of “APART” Wednesday, Feb. 15, 2023 at 4 p.m.

The film explores the impact on families from the incarceration of mothers on drug-related charges. Advance reservations are required; you will receive a private link to view the film the week before the discussion. Visit www.hmcec.org to RSVP.

Stuart Mest, M.D. Lecture Series – “Eugenics, Experiments, Ethics: Nazi Germany, Japan and the United States” – February and March 2023

This two-part series will be presented twice at the Museum from 5 to 6 p.m. on Feb. 28 and March 7; then repeated on March 23 and March 30. Tickets are $40 for the two-part series, with advance registration required. Visit www.hmcec.org to register.

Yiddish Group – January, February and March 2023

Interested in learning or brushing up on Yiddish phrases? You are invited to attend a three-part series at the Museum from 4 to 5:30 p.m. on Jan. 22, Feb. 12 and March 19. You do not need experience with the language to attend this fun class. The program will be conducted by Sol Awend, Harriet Bernman and Felicia Anchor. Admission is free, with advance registration required. Please visit www.hmcec.org.

Annual Yom HaShoah Community Commemoration – April 18, 2023

Additional details on the program will be found on the Museum’s website as the event nears.

VE Day – May 7, 2023

Complimentary admission to commemorate VE Day. Limited space; advance reservation required on our website at www.HMCEC.org.

Triumph 2023 – March 15 at Arthrex One; Guest Speaker Michael Abramovitz CEO of Freedom House

Annual fundraiser to support Museum education programs. Tickets are $300 and a variety of sponsorship packages are available.

Special Exhibits

Special major exhibits rotate on display in the Estelle and Stuart Price Gallery. The exhibits feature content related to the people and historical events of the Holocaust and other genocides. These exhibits are created in-house from Museum archives or are special traveling exhibits.

“Two Regimes” Exhibit –January through April 2023

This exhibit reflects the experiences of a mother and daughter who lived under both the Nazi regime in World War II and a Communist government post war.

“Forgeries and the Holocaust” – June through October 2023

After World War II ended, forgeries of Holocaust-related items abounded. This exhibit will explore examples of articles that were sold or collected as “genuine.” The exhibit will include several artifacts donated to the Museum that turned out to be forged as well as explain what Museums do to ensure their materials are authentic and items are represented accurately.

For more information on the Museum and its programs, visit www. HMCEC.org or call the Museum at 239-263-9200. We hope to see you, your family and friends at the newly expanded Museum this coming year! We hope you and your families stay safe and healthy in 2023!