Holocaust Museum’s 20th Anniversary celebration begins

Susan Suarez, President & CEO

Hard to believe the end of 2021 is here already! Thank you to all who participated in our programs this year, both in person and on Zoom. We’ve enjoyed talking with Zoom guest panelists and viewers during multiple programs and have been excited to see our audiences growing with each new presentation, with people from across the U.S. and other countries joining in.

The Luncheon

On Thursday, Dec. 2, we continue our 20th Anniversary celebration with The Luncheon, our winter fundraising event. Proceeds from The Luncheon benefit our education programs. This year’s special program will include the premiere of “Remember – The Abe Price Story” by Jeffrey Binder.

Holocaust survivor Abe Price worked with the Golden Gate Middle School students on “Out of The Ashes,” the project that inspired the creation of the Museum. Abe later became one of the Museum’s co-founders. “Remember” will be used as part of the Holocaust education curriculum in Southwest Florida schools.

The play was produced by Gulfshore Playhouse (GSP) Founding and Producing Artistic Director Kristen Coury and Managing Director Joel Markus. GSP also produced the first short school play, “In Flight,” by Hester Kamin about survivor and museum educator Sabine van Dam’s life. The Museum and GSP have now worked together on the “In Flight” program with multiple schools in three counties.

Many thanks to the following sponsors of The Luncheon (as of this column’s submission deadline):

Remembrance Sponsors – Maureen and Arnold Lerner, Estelle and Stuart Price

Testimony Sponsor – The Ronto Group

Hope Sponsors – Baer’s Furniture, City Mattress, Becky Cornacchia, Fran and Rob Nossen

Inspire Sponsors – Silvie and Herb Berkeley, Goldie and Lou Bertone, First Florida Integrity Bank, Florida Gulf Coast University Foundation, Life in Naples Magazine, Diane and Ron McGinty, Patti and Sid Price, Ellaine and Richard Rosen, Sandra and Fred Roth, Nancy White, John R. Wood Properties

Patron Sponsors – Barbara and Hymie Akst, Shirley and Marshall Besikof, Nancy Garfien, Lorelei Meeker and Geoff Grodner, Elaine and Richard Landau, Judy and Stanley Ruskin, Phyllis and Steve Strome, WGCU Public Media, Barbara C. Winthrop

Raoul Wallenberg program

Join us Tuesday, Dec. 7, at 4 p.m. (ET) for a new Zoom program. Local survivor Judit Price will speak about Swedish diplomat, Raoul Wallenberg. During the Holocaust, Wallenberg saved the lives of thousands of Jewish people in German-occupied Hungary, including Judit. To RSVP and receive the Zoom link, please visit www.HMCEC. org and click “Event Tickets.”

Genshoah SWFL

The annual potluck for GenShoah of SWFL members will be held on Sunday, Nov. 12. The group will also discuss the book, “Torn Lilacs.” For more information, please contact me at Susan@ HMCEC.org.

Vedem Underground

We invite you to see the new exhibit in the Estelle and Stuart Price Gallery. Vedem Underground is the traveling exhibit by the Vedem Foundation. It will be on display through Feb. 28, 2022. More information is available on our website at www.HMCEC.org.

Coming in January

Sign up now for the “Nazi Looted Art – Unfinished Business” lecture series by Ellaine Rosen. The five-part series begins Jan. 12, 2022. The lectures will be held at the Museum from 5 to 6:30 p.m., and the cost is $100 for the complete series or $20 per session. RSVP is required – visit www.HMCEC.org to register.

Many thanks to our dedicated volunteers — guest relations volunteers, docents, event committee members, Museum Board members and Museum educators. You have helped the Museum stay strong and active during the pandemic. We appreciate you and wish you and your families a safe holiday season, and a healthy and happy New Year.