4 minute read
At the Museum
Susan Suarez, President & CEO
Just as Southwest Florida and Naples are now in “season,” so is the Museum!
Our recent expansion couldn’t have come at a better time! In addition to a variety of interesting public programs, we’ve hosted many Student Field Trips, Private Group Tours, local visitors as well as those from other states and countries. Our Education Department held another “Family Day” event for grades 5 and up, which was well attended.
We held screenings of a major motion picture, the 2008 film “Defiance,” and a documentary, “Rescue in the Philippines,” about a little-known WWII humanitarian effort that saved over 1,000 European Jews from the Holocaust. The special Q&A sessions that followed each film were remarkable because each had speakers with a personal connection to the events and people depicted on screen. For “Defiance,” this was Ruth Bielski, daughter of Tuvia Bielski, the film’s main character who was portrayed by actor Daniel Craig. For “Rescue,” it was descendants of both the refugees who were saved, and family members of those who saved them.
We are honored that Ruth Bielski will be our special guest speaker at this year’s annual Triumph fundraiser, “Triumph of Resistance.” She will share her family’s story of resistance, courage and compassion.
This is the time of the school year when teachers and students at public schools are likely to study World War II history. We have multiple mornings of Museum field trips scheduled for the larger middle and high schools in the area. We also work with students in other school environments, from home school groups, private schools, charter schools and alternative education programs.
Our PopUp Museum displays, utilized by both local schools and those in distant Southwest Florida locations, have been in such high demand that we have created multiple sets to accommodate the need. These exhibits and displays can be customized according to what the students happen to be studying at the time the PopUp is on display. The PopUp Museum concept is also available to community organizations, as are the Maureen and Arnold Lerner Classroom and the Herbert H. Schiff Classroom. Contact Education Specialist David Nelson at david@hmcec.org or 239263-9200, ext. 205 for more information and scheduling Holocaust education programs, public speakers, PopUp Museum displays and reserving one of the classrooms for your meeting.
If you are looking for a meaningful experience to offer visiting family and out-of-town guests, our private group tours can accommodate both small and large groups. Contact David Nelson to learn about available options. Alternatively, you may be interested in joining our public docent-led tours which are available several days a week at 12:15 p.m. Reservations are required – please check our website, hmcec.org, for specifics.
Upcoming Museum events
“Witness to Goodness” lecture by Museum Docent Ellaine Rosen
Wednesdays, Feb. 14 and Feb. 21, 2-4 p.m. at Holocaust Museum & Cohen Education Center, Herbert H. Schiff Classroom. RSVP required at hmcec.org. GenShoah – Let’s Speak Yiddish
GenShoah – Let’s Speak Yiddish
Sunday, Feb. 18, 3:30-5 p.m. at Holocaust Museum & Cohen Education Center, Maureen and Arnold Lerner Classroom. RSVP required at hmcec.org.
“Triumph of Resistance" annual fundraising event
Wednesday, March 6, 5:30-8:30 p.m. at Arthrex Conference Center. Tickets are $350 and RSVP is required at hmcec.org. Guest speaker: Ruth Bielski, daughter of Tuvia Bielski, leader of the Partisan Fighters profiled in the film “Defiance;” sponsorship packages available.
GenShoah – “Growing Up Sephardic in an Ashkenazi World” by Sam Varsano
Wednesday, March 13, 2-3 p.m. at Holocaust Museum & Cohen Education Center, Herbert H. Schiff Classroom. RSVP required at hmcec.org.
“The Holocaust: Medically-Driven Genocide” by Museum Docent Stuart Mest, M.D.
Wednesday, March 20, 2-4 p.m. at Holocaust Museum & Cohen Education Center, Herbert H. Schiff Classroom. Tickets are $20 and RSVP is required at hmcec.org.
Our education mission — to teach the lessons of the Holocaust to inspire action against bigotry, hatred and violence — remains relevant and grows in importance daily. Each of us has the power to make a difference in our world. I hope to see you soon at the Museum.
